First impressions of a holiday rental usually don’t live up to the photographs but that was not the case with Laura and Louis’ house, everything was perfect and actually exceeded our expectations. Laura was very helpful during the booking process replying promptly to my many emails, arranging transport to and from the airport and having a welcome pack ready for us which included some of Louis’ delicious tomatoes, melons and plums. Louis called every three days to clean the pool and both he and Laura were available if we needed anything.

We were an extended family of eight, four adults, three teenagers plus a nine year old and there was plenty of space for all of us to have some peace and quiet if we wanted. As an early riser I enjoyed sitting on the top balcony watching the sun rise from behind the Citadella in Victoria and thought it was even more impressive than the sunset at Dwerja Bay.

We were pleased to discover two grocery shops, a butchers and a bakers close by (I miss buying fresh bread from David’s Bakery).

There is also a bus stop a few yards from the house however we usually walked into Victoria, which took around 20 minutes, when we could drag ourselves away from the pool. We used the local buses from Victoria when we wished to explore Gozo and visit the beaches recommended by Laura and Louis, my favourite was Marsalforn although the younger ones in our party preferred Ramla.

We were lucky to experience the Kercem festa during our first week seeing lights, banners, flags and statues put up each day. We attended the BBQ, watched the processions with brass bands and best of all the firework show which we all agreed were the best we had ever seen. The church bells ringing and fireworks during the day, which sounded like cannons, may not have been to everyone’s taste but it was all part of the atmosphere for us.

We all loved our holiday in Gozo and would not stay anywhere else but Laura and Louis’ wonderful Il-Kiffixija should we return to the island.

Helena, Claire, Sheila, Michael, Nicole, Daniel, Matthew and Carter.