Gozo FESTIVE WALKING 2017
WELCOME TO Gozo Thank you for booking with HF Holidays. We look forward to welcoming you to Gozo. This booklet will give you some essential information about your resort and holiday; please read this carefully before you travel. Your holiday will include a full Guided Walking programme and a free day in the middle of the week. Our experienced leaders will also ensure that the sociable atmosphere of your holiday continues into the evenings. Wishing you a great holiday from everyone at HF Holidays. Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, only 200 miles from the North African coast, the Maltese Islands have been influenced greatly by their neighbours, historically, culturally and linguistically. Although Gozo is similar in many ways to its larger neighbour, it has a distinct independence and the Gozitan way of life is considerably more laid back than in bustling Malta. Gozo lies 20 minutes away from Malta by ferry, is about one third of its size, and has a character quite distinct from its neighbouring island. It is more rural, with an extensive farming community and the countryside is greener and more scenic. Controls over building developments have enabled Gozo to keep its rural charm. Flat-topped hills and intensively cultivated fields characterise the landscape whilst the coast has rugged cliffs, steep valleys and beautiful inlets. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. The island also comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas, as well as one of the archipelago s best-preserved prehistoric temples, Ggantija. The strong religious beliefs of the Maltese people are evident in the numerous churches and other religious attractions. 2 Call 0345 470 7558 or visit hfholidays.co.uk
The walks are tailored to the short daylight hours, with occasional adjustments to provide the right balance of safety and enjoyment and always with a careful eye on the weather. Each day there ll be a choice of 3 grades of walk. Easier Up to a maximum of 7 miles (11km) Medium Up to a maximum of 9 miles (14.5km) Harder Up to a maximum of 12 miles (19km) We will generally leave the house between 9.15 and 9.30am and all the walks are planned to finish by 4pm. We ll tell you more about each walk (precise distances and ascents) and answer any queries about terrain and conditions underfoot, on the holiday itself. ACCOMMODATION Grand Hotel St Anthony Street Mgarr Gozo GSM 9026 Tel: 00356 2156 3840 The 4-star Grand Hotel occupies a commanding location overlooking Mgarr harbour and has views across the straits to Comino and Malta. Bedrooms: There are 93 en-suite bedrooms, all with sea views. All rooms have en-suite bathroom with shower or bath, air conditioning, TV, telephone, mini-bar and hairdryer. Tea and coff ee making facilities are not available in the bedrooms, but hot drinks can be bought from the bar. Facilities: The main area for meeting your fellow guests is the lounge bar just off the reception. The hotel has a range of facilities where you can indulge yourself after a day s walking, including a games room, in-house cinema, and outdoor swimming pool. Meals: All our holidays include breakfast and evening meal. There will be a vegetarian option if requested; we recommend that you discuss any special dietary requirements with the restaurant manager or chef on arrival. Breakfast: This is available between 7.30am and 10am and is a self service buff et, off ering a wide selection of hot and cold items. Festive Meals: We hope you enjoy the Festive Gala meal at this hotel, which will be on New Year s Eve. The arrangements for this will be slightly different from the rest of the week and your leaders will have all the details for you. Evening meal: This hotel serves a buffet dinner, comprising soup, antipasti, salad dishes, plus hot pasta. Main courses always include a choice of meat or fish, with vegetables. The dessert is usually fresh fruit salad, cake or gateaux. Lunch: You may be able to purchase a picnic lunch from the hotel. Alternatively it is possible to buy ingredients from local shops or on some days to eat at one of the local cafés; your leaders will advise you of the options. Call 0345 470 7558 or visit hfholidays.co.uk 3
Holiday itinerary A unique feature of our Guided Walking holidays is the daily choice of walks. Each evening your leaders will give a short talk about the options for the next day and answer any questions that you may have. The cost of the transport to and from your walks each day is included in the cost of your holiday. On Gozo you ll have a choice of two guided walks on each walking day. Easier Walks: 4 to 7 miles (6.5-11km) on stony inland and coastal paths. Up to 600ft (180m) of ascent in a day. Harder Walks: 8 to 10 miles (13-16km) on stony inland and coastal paths. Up to 1,400ft (420m) of ascent in a day. Your leaders will talk every evening about the next day s walks. DAY 1: Arrival day The journey to our hotel in Mgarr is by minibus and ferry. Time permitting your leaders will explain about the walks on the first evening. Should this not be possible we ll meet after breakfast on the first morning of your stay. DAY 2: Xlendi, Victoria and the southern coast Today we explore the cliffs along the south coast of Gozo. Here you ll find precipitous cliffs and deep-cut fjords, rocky headlands and little urbanisation. From Xlendi we enjoy a common route inland to the Gozo capital Victoria, where there should be time for sightseeing. Despite its austere façade the cathedral boasts an elaborate interior including a tromp l oeil dome painted by Antonio Manuele, commissioned because of the lack of funds to build a real dome. Easier Walk: 5 miles (8km) with up to 500ft (150m) of ascent Harder Walk: 9 miles (14.5km) with up to 1,000ft (300m) of ascent DAY 3: Ramla Bay via Ggantija Temples We ll walk to the Rotunda Church at Xewkija then ascend to the village of Xaghra, where there will be the opportunity to visit the village and Ggantija Temples, reputed to be the oldest freestanding structures in the world, which have been standing on this plateau for over 5,000 years. A guide will accompany us through the temple complex to give us an insight into the island. Both walks then visit Calypso Cave where Ulysses was held captive by the enchanting Calypso for seven years. We then visit Ramla Bay, the longest sandy beach on Gozo, before our return to Mgarr. 4 Call 0345 470 7558 or visit hfholidays.co.uk Easier Walk: 6 miles (9.5km) with 400ft (120m) of ascent Harder Walk: 8 miles (13km) with 900ft (250m) of ascent DAY 4: Ta Pinu and sculpted cliff s The Church of Pilgrimage at Ta Pinu starts the day, after which we visit the interesting Folklore Museum in Gharb. From here the north coast off ers some spectacular cliff scenery. Heading eastwards there are some beautiful wind sculptures to admire as well as quaint fishermen s storerooms, formed in the softer rock of the higher cliff s, on our way to Marsalforn or Victoria. Easier Walk: 6 miles (9.5km) with up to 400ft (120m) of ascent Harder Walk: 10 miles (16km) with up to 800ft (240m) of ascent DAY 5: Free day This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently or visit local places of interest. Some options for your free day may include: Visit an agricultural estate to hear how traditional farming is carried out. Food and wine tasting is included in the tour. Catch one of the many ferries and buses to spend the day sightseeing in Valletta, Malta s capital. Local information website: For information on Gozo please visit www.gozo.gov.mt DAY 6: Xlendi Cliffs and the Inland Sea A combination of man s burrowing and gigantic sea erosion has shaped the landscape of today s walks. On the Harder Walk, we ll descend by cliff paths to Xlendi before a spectacular ascent of the
cliffs to the west leads to Dwerja Point. Both walks visit Dwerja Point where once stood the dramatic sea-arch known as the Azure Window. Sadly, due to a combination of sea erosion and high winds, the Azure Window collapsed in March of this year. If time and weather permit, a boat trip can be taken from the Inland Sea through a tunnel in the rock out to view the nearby cliffs and Fungus Rock. Both walks continue on into Victoria, the island s capital, for well-earned refreshments. Easier Walk: 6 miles (9.5km) with 500ft (150m) of ascent Harder Walk: 10 miles (16km) with 1,000ft (300m) of ascent DAY 7: Rocky strand to secluded coves Today s walks offer extensive views over the straits to Comino and Malta. Our groups traverse a delightful flat rock shore and then enjoy charming coves, verdant gardens and wonderful wild flowers. The harder walk descends to the secluded San Blas Bay for the opportunity of a midday swim. The easier group stays high and lunches in local gardens. Continuing, both groups make their way through the outskirts of Nadur, arriving at one of the most stunning viewpoints on Gozo. Easier Walk: 7 miles (11km) with 500ft (150m) of ascent Harder Walk: 10 miles (16km) with 1,400ft (420m) of ascent DAY 8: Departure day IN THE EVENINGS The friendly atmosphere of our Guided Walking holidays continues into the evening. We ll enjoy a leisurely meal. You may also like to join your leader for an evening stroll, listen to local musicians, relax with a book in a quiet lounge or enjoy a drink at the bar with your fellow walkers talking about your day. RECOMMEND A FRIEND AND SAVE 50 If you recommend HF Holidays to a friend who subsequently makes their first ever booking with us, we will give you 50 off your next holiday for each person recommended. Plus, as a welcome, we will also give your friend or friends 50 per person off their holiday, meaning savings for everyone! Terms & conditions apply, visit hfholidays.co.uk/raf for details. JOIN US TODAY AND BENEFIT TOMORROW HF Holidays is the only UK holiday provider that s a co-operative. We re owned by our members who help shape our business for future generations. Join our award-winning and sociably responsible society that s passionate about helping others to enjoy holidays in beautiful countryside. For a minimum purchase of 100 1 shares you can benefit from: Members loyalty scheme earn points on your holidays and use as a discount on your next holiday Member-only events and holidays Members come first with advance registration for the holiday you want 10% discount at our country house bars 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor 15% discount at Rohan 25% discount at Hi-Tec Annual interest on your shares ALREADY A MEMBER? There are many ways for you to further your support: Help choose our Board Attend member events Encourage others to join us Increase your shares at any time Top up to 1,000 shares to become an investment member with enhanced benefits Give membership as a gift To join or increase your investment call our Membership team on 0208 732 1290, email membership@hfholidays.co.uk or visit hfholidays.co.uk/membership Call 0345 470 7558 or visit hfholidays.co.uk 5
TRANSFER INFORMATION If you have booked your holiday with flight you will arrive at Malta Airport. From the UK we offer flights from London Gatwick and Manchester which may arrive at different times. Please note that meals are not provided on most European flights, although some airlines may offer a small snack. Where possible you will be met as you enter the arrivals hall by an HF Holidays leader. Your leader may be on the same flight as you or may arrive on another flight. Occasionally we will ask our transfer coach company to meet you. The driver will be in the arrivals hall holding an HF Holidays sign. The onward journey to Gozo: a 45 minute coach journey will take you from Malta airport to the ferry port and you will cross to Gozo as a foot passenger. The ferry takes approximately 20 minutes and you will be met with a minibus and taken to the Grand Hotel. For independent travellers: For guests who have booked their holiday without flight HF Holidays can help you to reach the hotel in the following ways: HF Holidays transfer coach from Malta airport. These are timed to meet the HF Holidays flights (provisional HF Holidays flight times can be found on hfholidays.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)20 8732 1220). Cost per single journey is 21. Please note that HF Holidays is not responsible for your onward travel if you fail to meet the transfer coach under any circumstance. Our Airport Taxi service operates at this resort, offering quick and easy transfers for guests booking their own flights. All prices are per taxi for single journeys, allowing you to mix and match different transfer options. From Malta Airport by taxi transfer 80 per taxi single journey. Transfers and taxis must be pre-booked. If you have not already booked your transfer or taxi please call +44 (0)20 8732 1220. Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at holidayextras.co.uk/ hfholidays 6 Call 0345 470 7558 or visit hfholidays.co.uk WALKING INFORMATION Your walking leaders: HF Holidays leaders are a pivotal feature of our Guided Walking holidays. During the day they will guide you on the walks in a caring and considerate way, showing you places of interest en route. All our leaders have been selected on an intensive residential course so you can relax and enjoy your holiday knowing that you are in safe hands. Our leaders welcome your comments on the holiday survey; constructive suggestions for things that they might do differently are very helpful. We take pride in the quality of our holidays and work closely with all our providers to ensure our holidays meet your expectations. If for any reason you are not satisfied with any element of your holiday, our leaders are the best people to help. Local interest guides: In some of our resorts we may employ the services of a local interest guide who will accompany you on a walk to enrich and enhance your enjoyment of the area by giving you an insight into its history and culture. Tips for local interest guides have not been included in the price of your holiday. This is at your own discretion and we invite you to do this directly with the local guide. Maps: Your leaders will of course carry all the maps and detailed walk instructions needed for the walks. The map available for this area is Kompass Map 235; Malta & Gozo 1:25,000 Maps can be obtained by mail order from The Map Shop, tel: 0800 0854080 or visit themapshop.co.uk. Children: We welcome unaccompanied children of 14 or over on our walks on the basis that they can take full responsibility for themselves. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. WALKING SAFETY We are committed to running our Guided Walking holidays in a safe manner and your co-operation with this is much appreciated. No outdoor activity can be 100% risk free; however, if you take sensible precautions and adhere to your leaders instructions, your holiday will be both safe and enjoyable. On the first evening of your holiday (dependent on arrival time), the leaders will give a short talk about safety on the walks we would ask everyone to attend. Walking as a group: Our leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and will show more caution over potential risks (such as bad or exceptionally hot weather) than an individual or couple might make
on a private outing. Walks may be modifi ed or cancelled following the leaders assessment of the day-to-day situation. Your leaders will refuse to accept any guest whose clothing, equipment, behaviour or walking ability is considered unsuitable, and where it could affect the safety and enjoyment of other guests on the proposed walk. It is your responsibility to follow the leader s guidelines, for the benefi t and safety of the group as a whole. If you leave the group, then your leader will no longer have responsibility for you. For safety reasons, we stipulate a minimum party size of two guests in addition to the leader. First aid: In line with current practice, each leader carries a group fi rst aid kit but is not able to supply any medication, including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines and antiseptic cream. Hydration: In warm weather it is very important to keep hydrated. You will need to carry a minimum of two litres of water with you on walks, more during hot weather or on more demanding walks. One good way of hydrating is to use a two litre hydration pack which allows drinking without constant stopping. This can then be fi lled up from additional water sources as required. Your leader will inform you of the possibilities for replenishing your water during the walks. Your health: It is essential that you describe on your guest registration form any health condition or disability you may have. The leaders will treat this confi dentially and may be able to take it into account on the walks; for example, by not delaying lunch if they know they have someone with diabetes in their party. EU citizens should ensure they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) prior to their holiday. There can be problems with medical authorities and insurance companies if you cannot produce this when you require treatment details are available at dh.gov. uk/travellers EHIC cards have an expiry date please check yours is valid before you travel. Insurance: Insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so, and advise us of the insurance company and policy number. We have negotiated special holiday insurance and full details of this cover can be found in our brochure or at hfholidays.co.uk. There is no extra charge for preexisting illnesses. If you would like to purchase insurance from us please call us on 020 8732 1220 or email holidayservices@hfholidays.co.uk. Even with an EHIC card, medicines and out-patient treatment normally have to be paid for at the time and the costs reclaimed afterwards details are available at dh.gov. uk/travellers. Therefore insurance is extremely important, as is access to emergency money, preferably a credit card. Money: Access to emergency money, preferably via a credit card, is very important as you never know when an emergency may arise. WHAT TO WEAR & BRING To enjoy your walking comfortably and safely, it is essential that your footwear, clothing and equipment are suitable for the conditions likely to be encountered. Please note that some of our Atlantic island and Mediterranean destinations are also in mountainous areas and at height (up to 4,000ft) the temperatures can be as low as 0 C. You will need: comfortable outdoor clothing ankle supporting footwear with non-slip soles water bottle (at least 2 litres, more for hot climates) and a thermos fl ask if you wish sunhat, sun cream and sunglasses small rucksack In addition to the above, the following are recommended to all walkers, and are essential for mountainous and hilly areas: walking boots spare pullover or fleece hat and gloves spare high-energy food e.g. chocolate bar or Kendal mint cake torch You may also wish to consider bringing: camera personal first aid kit walking pole(s) many guests find these useful, particularly for descents FOOTWEAR We recommend wearing walking boots on all our walks, as these provide the best ankle support and grip. Modern approach shoes offer appropriate levels of grip and may be worn on some low level walks, but users should be aware that they offer less ankle support. Lightweight trainers, denim jeans and waterproof capes are not recommended for any walks. Call 0345 470 7558 or visit hfholidays.co.uk 7
Holiday tips Language: Maltese and English Currency: Euro. Changing money: There are several ATM machines in Mgarr where you can obtain money. Tap water: Is considered safe to drink, but if you prefer, bottled mineral water can be purchased from the hotel or local supermarkets. Electricity: Same 3-pin plug as in the UK. Telephone code: If the international number you wish to call starts with a 0, you must drop the starting digit when dialling the number. To dial a UK number 0044 To dial a Maltese number 00356 Contact details HF Holidays Ltd Catalyst House 720 Centennial Court Centennial Park Elstree Borehamwood, WD6 3SY www.hfholidays.co.uk For any questions before your holiday, we re here to help, so please contact us on: 0345 470 7558 (local rate) 00 44 (0)20 8732 1250 (from outside the UK) Monday-Friday: 9am-7pm. Email: info@hfholidays.co.uk Emergency contact details: In all instances during your holiday, your fi rst point of contact should be our HF Holidays leaders. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as above or: +44 (0)7918 737777 Friday 7pm to Monday 9am. Your feedback: We are always interested in your comments, so please complete and submit your holiday survey online at www.hfholidays.co.uk/surveys. If you would prefer a paper copy please contact Holiday Services.