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From Times Online

June 20, 2006

Daily Doc: why Gozo is worth the hop from Malta

Doc Holiday opens his travel clinic on a daily basis to answer your holiday queries. Today: Malta and Gozo

I've booked a two-week package to Malta and would like to know if it will be easy to visit Gozo while I'm there? Cliff Winterbottom, Stoke-On-Trent

Doc Holiday responds: Gozo is more than a third the size of its better-known neighbour, but has less than 10% of its population. It¹s also greener and more laid back than Malta, with excellent walking, diving and snorkelling, and a clutch of interesting places to visit - like the capital's medieval citadel, or the megalithic temples of Ggantija.

It would be a shame to visit the Maltese islands and pass up the chance to relax a while on Gozo, and fortunately, getting there is relatively simple and inexpensive.

If you like travelling independently, you can put your own trip together using the ferry service between Cirkewwa at the western tip of Malta, and Mgarr on Gozo. It is operated by Gozo Channel Company (00 356 21243964. www.gozochannel.com), the journey takes about 25 minutes and costs £3 each way.

Alternatively, there's a frequent helicopter service from Malta's airport to the heliport on Gozo. The journey time is just 15 minutes, and it is operated by Helicoperos Del Sureste (00 356 21561301, www.airgozo.com), and costs £48 one-way or £79 return.

However, there are dozens of day trips available from local tour companies, on sale from their offices or from most hotels. Captain Morgan Cruises (00 356 23463333, www.captainmorgan.com.mt) for example, uses a Turkish Gullet on a day cruise to Gozo and the stunning Blue Lagoon off the tiny island of Comino. It costs £33, including onboard buffet lunch. Or try Hera Cruises (00 356 21 330583, www.herayachtmalta.com).

For day tours that use a coach and the ferry to explore the interior of Gozo, from about £35, contact Touring Malta (356 21 650 486, www.touringmalta.com), or City Discovery (020 7193 8320, www.city-discovery.com).

The Malta Tourist Office (020 8877 6990, www.visitmalta.com) can help with further information. Or visit www.gozo.gov.mt. Guidebooks include Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com, £8.99), Rough Guide (www.roughguides.com, £6.99), and Insight Guide (www.insightguides.com, £16.99)