Villa holidays to Gozo are perfect for outdoor adventures, particularly with its hot, year-round sunny climate. Lush vegetation, flat-topped hills and craggy cliffs offer superb cycling, rambling and rock climbing. Here, you’ll find fascinating arches, caves and caverns home to an abundance of fish and sea life. Conventional sports like tennis is available, whilst horse riding is a popular way to experience the dramatic scenery around you.

When you choose a villa holiday in Gozo, you’ll find fabulous al fresco dining and a wide variety of authentic dishes to try. Life here moves at a leisurely pace, even during the summer holidays, and revolves around farming and fishing – so expect to sample some of the best local produce from tomatoes, peppers and fruits to freshly-caught seafood. To accompany these delights, visitors are treated to delicious, just-baked crispy bread and local wines served young and chilled. Most local bars offer Gozo’s traditional snack, the 'Pastizzi', which is a flaky pastry parcel filled with ricotta cheese or peas.

Historical places of interest are found everywhere in Gozo. A must-see for all villa holiday goers are the megalithic Ggantija temples - thought to be even older than the Egyptian Pyramids. Gozo also has a museum of archaeology in Victoria which is full of interesting remains and pre-historic artefacts. Among its other highlights are the famous and imposing Citadel, and several caves and grottoes dotted around the island – alongside some of the most spectacular, awe-inspiring views in all of the Mediterranean.

Gozo is not an island for those seeking the bright lights and nightlife of other Mediterranean resorts. Here, the pace of life is slow and relaxed. On Gozo, the main town of Victoria has a thriving cultural life of its own with attractions ranging from opera to horse racing and firework displays at fiesta time. Locals go out of their way to welcome visitors, particularly during village feasts which take place throughout the summer holidays. You'll be tempted to stay put in your holiday villa, simply soaking up the atmosphere and scenery – but with plenty of traditional local bars and restaurants to choose from, you can have the best of both worlds.

• The Inland Sea, a secluded pebbly bathing pool with crystal clear water and sheer cliffs, can be found at Dwejra in the southwest of Gozo

• The medieval citadel at Victoria now houses the 17th Century cathedral and a collection of fascinating museums and fantastic views

• Visit the Ggantija temples which were built around 3,600 BC. These giant stone structures are older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids

• Go walking, especially in spring, and diving in one of the best spots in Europe

• Visit the tiny island of Comino and the crystal clear waters of the blue lagoon.