IF somebody pops a cork after 9pm, they think it’s a revolution!

The first words of our Maltese guide as we stepped onto the beautiful island of Gozo told us exactly what to expect from this sleepy holiday hotspot.

It’s true that life here runs at a more leisurely pace.

During a five day trip, I discovered the friendly people actually had time for each other and time to appreciate the bright blue skies, the crystal clear sea, the unspoilt countryside and the mouth-watering cuisine all readily available on this island idyll.

But, in fact, they do also know how to have a good time.

On the way back to our retreat from a lovely evening spent dining in the village square, we stumbled across an impromptu street party, which we were duly welcomed along to like old friends.

The entire village had turned out to enjoy singing, dancing, drinking and dining around tables decked out in bunting.

It was like taking a step back in time.

Home for a few days, when we finally returned from all the fun, was Abraham’s Farmhouses in the small village of Xaghra.

A private cobbled courtyard led to a collection of large villas, each fully equipped with a private pool, sun terrace, en suite bedrooms, a barbecue, wood burning stove and even breakfast provisions.

It was the perfect location from which to explore a tiny island that packs a huge punch.

Steeped in myth, Gozo is said to be the legendary Calypso’s Isle of Homer’s Odyssey.

Dotted with baroque churches and old stone farmhouses, and with amazing panoramas around every corner, it’s a dream holiday spot.

With just 30,000 inhabitants to its name – a fraction of its big brother Malta’s 370,000 – it’s positively brimming with things to do.

Gozo’s undulating terrain is the ideal location for physical activities and ours was an active break, swimming in the inland sea, a lagoon of seawater, through a narrow arch and out into the waters of the Mediterranean and at Ramla Bay, a beautiful sandy beach.

During a day out with Gozo Adventures, we toured the island’s best bits by bike in the morning before heading back into the sea for a kayak trip across to tiny neighbouring island Comino, its caves and its stunning Blue Lagoon, close to some of the best dive sites in Europe.

Back on dry land, there was a chance to get up close and personal with animals at Rikkardo’s farm and vineyard. Our hilarious attempts at goat milking (it’s harder than it looks), then producing as fresh as is possible cheese ready for a pasta lunch at Rikkardo’s restaurant, high above the farm in the Citadel, the historic fortified city in the heart of Victoria, will live long in the memory.

This field to plate living is not unusual on Gozo where authorities are pushing hard to win the island eco designation by 2020.

Other organic natural produce includes the salt harvested each day by small family businesses at the coastal Qbajjar salt pans and the wine produced at family boutique vineyards, not to mention the local Limoncello, rabbit, deepfried cactus and prickly pear liqueur.

Some of these delights were prepared for us by local TV celebrity chef George Borg who has been making a name for the island as a foodie destination, working alongside Jamie Oliver among others.

Our visit was built around a green Gozo theme, powered by paddle, pedal and even a pair of horses.

This remarkable island has so far resisted the pressures of commercialism and remains untouched and relatively unknown.

You will have seen it starring on the silver screen though.

Gozo has been the filming destination of choice for Hollywood hits Captain Phillips, Gladiator, Troy and Munich to name a few, as well as TV phenomenon Game of Thrones.

Whether it was while watching Tom Hanks being hijacked or seeing Russell Crowe rising through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena, you will have enjoyed Gozo without even knowing it.

But there’s nothing quite like seeing it for real, in all its serene glory.

  • We travelled with the Malta Tourism Authority For more information on Malta go to visitmalta.com.
  • We flew with Air Malta. Air Malta flies from London Gatwick and Heathrow, Manchester and some smaller regional airports including Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Newcastle, Norwich, Bristol and Glasgow during the summer with fares from as little as £62 one way, inclusive of taxes and 20kgs of baggage. For more information visit airmalta.com
  • We stayed at Inzolia and Girgentina – houses of character See abrahamgozofarmhouses.com.