GOING OUT ON GOZO

Where is the school and is it easy to get around?
LAL Gozo is located within walking distance of the
harbour in the village of Ghajnsielem and is on a
direct bus route to the island’s capital, Victoria.

Travelling by bus is cheap and buses run between
Mgarr and Victoria in time with the ferry timetable up
to early evening. Transport by taxi and minibus can
be organised by the school to take students to
beaches and restaurants. Some students prefer to
explore the island by hire car or jeep while others
enjoy cycling around alone or in groups.

Where can I swim?
Xatt L-Ahmar is the closest beach to the school. In
just 15 minutes on foot you can be sunbathing on the
flat rocks and cooling off in this charming little bay
situated under the walls of the 350 year old Fort Chambrai.
For more enthusiastic walkers there is Hondoq ir-Rummien
in Qala with its glorious views of Comino and Malta.

Ramla Bay is the biggest beach on the island, famous for its glorious red sand and spectacular surroundings. Nearby is San Blas Bay a small sandy beach with flat stone outcrops and a delight to tourists who want to sunbathe in unspoilt privacy.

Ghar Qawqla or Qbajjar in Marsalforn are good swimming and sunbathing destinations for students who also like to have a selection of bars and restaurants on hand. Xlendi is a popular and pretty little bay while Dwejra offers the drama and beauty of the Azure Window, Fungus Rock and the Inland Sea.

Alternatively Comino is a wonderful destination for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing and boats leave every 15 minutes from Mgarr harbour.

The school organises regular afternoon trips to these beaches at times to suit the students.

How about diving?
The impressive clarity of the waters around Gozo makes it a popular destination for divers. Whether you are an experienced diver wishing to explore wrecks or a beginner wanting to learn the basics, Gozo can give you what you want. The school has connections with a local dive school and can offer students a special discount on their course!

What can I do in the evening?
Evenings are very much for eating together in good company. Twice a week the school organises a dinner in various locations; the lively resort of Marsalforn or the smaller, quieter Xlendi Bay or perhaps the beautiful creek of Mgarr Ix-Xini. There is always a member of the teaching staff at these outings so that students have the opportunity to speak English!

Students also enjoy meeting up on foot at one of the many restaurants or several bars in Mgarr Harbour, at the D-Bar in Qala or Il- Bukket with its superb views of Comino or perhaps choose to eat a simple pizza from the local Band Club in Ghajnsielem. Alternatively many students like to cook together in the school residence and have impromptu parties which can be great fun.

Once a week there is an outing to the Citadel Cinema to watch a film in English and perhaps then to go to a nearby bar for some criticism and perhaps clarification! There are two screens and the films are current and change on a weekly basis.

Nightlife is largely centred in the bars and clubs in Marsalforn where there is The Rook, a converted Fort overlooking the sea and Xlendi, which has La Grotta, a natural cave overlooking a valley rich with bamboo. For those students who want a change of pace for Saturday night Mgarr harbour is just a short walk away to catch a ferry and head for the hot spot of Paceville!

In the height of summer there is an evening boat trip with BBQ to Comino which is always a popular night for music and fun under the stars.

The Maltese Islands are famous for the village festas held in a different village every weekend from April through to September. Each village celebrates with processions, brass bands and fireworks and all the villagers participate in this truly festive occasion.

Tours and Trips.
LAL Gozo regularly organises weekly boat trips and jeep tours around the island. By boat students can opt for a half-day around Comino or take a full day around Gozo. Jeep tours can be an afternoon tour around Gozo or a full day to Malta.
Walking tours around the island are also popular and available by request. There is also a growing interest in Agro-Tourism and a possibility to join local farmers and fishermen for a view into their worlds and perhaps some cheese-making, wine tasting and fishing!

What about shops and facilities?
Because the school is located in a proper village the local shops are wonderful and within minutes walking distance. Fresh bread daily from the bakery, fruit and vegetables from the vans parked outside the church every morning and a choice of three grocers for all other needs. There is also an excellent butcher and a fish shop. A pharmacy, post office, stationers and hardware store are all in the village.

Victoria has one very large supermarket with an excellent selection of foodstuffs and a Body Shop, a good selection of fashion shops and a MacDonald’s for the truly homesick!! The centre is full of delightful souvenir shops, Internet cafes and bookshops.

Archaeological sites
Foremost among the wealth of archaeological sites on Gozo are the Ggantija Temples. Situated in Xaghra these temples are over 5,500 years old dating back even further than Stonehenge and making them the oldest freestanding monument in the world. Myth has it that a giantess built Ggantija, meaning the Giant’s Tower, although other theories have been put forward in recent times. The nearby Xaghra Windmill is also worth visiting for an insight into past rural life.

The museum of Archaeology is located in the Citadel and presents students with a chronological view of the various sites on the island which include The Xaghra Circle, Ta Cenc Tombs, Ta Ghejzu Cave, Cart Ruts amongst other.

Describe the culture on Gozo.
Present day Gozo has a thriving artistic community ranging from sculptures and painters to operatic performers, dancers and actors. The ministry of Gozo publishes a cultural programme every month giving details about the Carnival, festas and other church events. It also provides information about current art exhibitions, operas featuring local and foreign singers, a variety concerts held in beautiful churches, the annual wine and beer festivals and a selection of theatrical events.

Traveller's Guide Information Gozo
Our local council website with history  of village, places of interest in the area and pictures of festas and locality . A cultural calendar, current events, photo gallery with fantastic panoramic images of key tourist sites. Detailed information regarding museums and heritage sites, exhibitions, articles etc. Frankie's Gozo Diving Centre. Leading newspapers of Maltese Islands published in English and a great source of information about the islands: The Times and The Malta Independent. Ferry timetables and an update on the weather is also useful!