Gozo farmhouse self catering accommodation, Malta
How Gozo farmhouse self catering accommodation, Malta makes a difference
Environment
Environmental awareness is an important part of day to day life in this day and age. Equally important is the preservation of our cultural environment. Through our renovation and rental of this house we have done our best to preserve the beauty of a very old Gozitan house and by doing this enhancing the area and environment it is situated in. During the renovation we strictly adhered to local planning authority guidelines reusing old limestone blocks reclaimed from demolished buildings and keeping within the old architectural style. We improved natural light within the house in order to conserve energy and furnished it in such a way as to make it comfortable and cosy during the winter months to help with the heating.
We have placed recyle bins outside the house and all guests are informed about sorting their rubbish. A notice is displayed in a prominent place asking guests to ensure all lights, fans, heaters etc are switched off before leaving the house for the day. The house is ideally situated to use local bus transport. Many of the local buses are now ecofriendly buses. Outside the hot summer months it is a perfect central point to explore the island by foot or bike. Food starter packs are supplied to make your first day easier for you - all contents are locally produced and packaged.
Community
The alley in which the house is situated is a dead-end alley, therefore very private. It is narrow at approximately 6 feet wide. The neighbours take great pride in it and as a result it is the prettiest alley in Victoria (well we think so anyway!). It is adorned with many potted plants and rose creepers. Neighbours are very friendly and it is safe for young children to play outside in the alley. We all take a part in the care of the alley and it has now become an extension of our sitting room with friendly chats and cups of coffee (or something stronger) shared between us and those who come wandering by.
Local information is readily obtained via neighbour or a 2 minute walk to the Gozo Information Centre in the Main Square. Within the main squares are cafes all offering the local speciallity snack of ''Pastizzi'' - probably the cheapest and best snack available in Europe. Little packages of fine puff pastry filled with local rikotta or mushed peas. We still have to find somebody who does not like pastizzi. Local restaurants all serve local dishes and there are several around Victoria to keep you happy.
What is so attractive about Gozo is the vast amount of cultural events that go on throughout the year. We try to support these events as best we can and the Gozitans themselves go out of their way to preserve their traditions.
There are various philanthropic organisations and they all have their own ways of raising money for their charities. One charity shop in the town has a great selection of second hand books. They are cheap to buy and when you take books back they give you a partial refund too. Car boot sales takes place every month in aid of Friends of the Sick and Elderly. They are always great fun for those interesting finds, but you have to get there early to find the best things. At the Arka respite centre for disabled there is plenty of room for volunteers to help out when they can.
There are also walks that are organised, usually through the Ramblers Association or another organisation which the Information Centre can help you with. Walking guide books are also available. These are exxtremely interesting with local fauna, history pointed out and explained on the way.
We try to keep guests informed with the latest events that are happening on the island. Most important to us is the personal attention given to guests on their arrival. It makes a big difference to welcome our visitors in person and give advice and answer questions they make ask. We also try to get to know guests through friendly emails helping them to plan their trip, this helps to make them feel more at ease on their arrival at the house.
Gozo farmhouse self catering accommodation, Malta
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