Also from Budapest and Pécs
The first question that arises is, of course, the accessibility of each selected destination. Malta is already an obvious choice in this regard, since we can fly there with low-cost flights almost every day of the week from Budapest and from March also from Pécs, twice a week. with direct flights of a new Maltese airline – and the journey is not too long either, we only have to take a two-hour flight. The most important thing: make sure to put sunscreen, swimwear and hiking shoes in your suitcase!
How can we thrive once we get there?
Several solutions are possible. You can also travel on the island by bus, although it is worth keeping a few things in mind. On the one hand, it is important to know that buses must always be stopped, but it may still happen that they do not stop – this may be because the bus is full and cannot carry more passengers. It is also good to be aware that punctuality is not the main virtue of buses, i.e. if a flight is delayed by a quarter of an hour, don’t count on it.
Those who prefer renting a car do not have to worry either. There are countless rental options on the island, but here too you have to pay attention to certain aspects. In Malta, they drive on the left side of the road, i.e. the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Before renting a vehicle, it is worth assessing the experience in this area. Parking in many places is not the easiest task in the world, but fortunately parking garages and central parking lots can help us.
With the next form of transport, we will also row across – that is, we will take a trip – to the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago, Gozo. It takes just 45 minutes to get to Mġarr port in Gozo from Valletta, with flights departing from early morning to late evening approximately every hour in both directions. And why is it worth going over to the island, which is only 67 square kilometers in size? We are already listing the arguments for lovers of active recreation.
Things to see
Did you know, for example, that Malta, located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, has now become the number one diving location in the region? The name of Dwerja Bay, located on the western side of Gozo, may sound familiar, because until March 2017 the world-famous Azure Window stood here, which collapsed due to strong storms and erosion and is now located at the bottom of the sea. However, the bay has been one of the most popular diving spots ever since.
The crystal clear sea surrounding the islands and the mostly rocky coast hide many additional underwater attractions, so it is not surprising that in Malta and Gozo you can also find dive sites that are on the list of the top ten diving spots in Europe. You can dive up to about 30 meters under water, so diving is an extraordinary experience, especially in a place where, among other things, you can find shipwrecks from the Second World War in the depths.
The range of water sports doesn’t stop there: you can explore the rocks, gorges and bays with a kayak, but surfing, kiteboarding, or for the more reserved, paddle surfing – a new sport that combines surfing and rowing – are also among the options.
Swimming in Gozo is not an everyday experience either: at one of the popular bathing spots, Wied il-Għasri, you have to work for it, as there are more than a hundred steps leading to the water. However, it is worth the effort, because on the pebbled beach surrounded by rock walls, you can find incomparable peace lying on your towel, relaxing from the fatigue of playing sports.
Those who prefer land also have the option of longer tours, of which perhaps the most recommended is the four-day tour along the smaller coast of Gozo, which takes you from cliffs along the sea, through cliffs and bays. In recent years, many hiking trails have been created on the islands, with signs, marked routes and educational programs.
Staying on land, popular pastimes include rock climbing, and we are also talking about an ideal destination for mountain bike lovers, as the islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, can explore the many off-road routes and discover the wonderful landscapes and the rocky coastline.
Gallery
Malta Tourist Office
We must also not forget that Gozo is not only special because of its beautiful sights and varied program opportunities. The island is one of the top 100 sustainable tourist destinations in the world, and in 2018 it also won the award for the best sustainable destination in the Mediterranean. In order to be among the best destinations, six criteria had to be met at an adequate level, which affected, for example, farming and hospitality, destination management and social welfare.
And after the many programs, everyone really deserves a little rest: you can do this, for example, on Gozo’s only larger sandy beach, Ramla Bay, where you can enjoy the sun shining on the whole of Malta on the special red sand on the undisturbed beach.
We show you what prices to calculate!
Seeing the countless exciting programs, the question arises as to how much we have to pay for these opportunities. Here are some details: for example, 40 euros per person for 20 minutes of jet skiing, 50 euros for 15 minutes of water skiing. A boat trip – for example, where you can admire caves, corals and rocks from Xlendi, a resort town in Gozo – costs 10 euros for an adult.
The price of diving varies widely, but you can find demonstration dives in Gozo that can be used without a diving exam, in the framework of which, after some theoretical instruction, those who undertake it can spend about 25 minutes under water, to a depth of approximately five meters. The price of this for divers is 60 euros. The underwater world can be enjoyed even if you are not a light diver, as you can rent diving goggles, snorkels and flip flops for just a few euros.
2024-04-08 02:32:39