GEOFF’SBEENGETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL IN GOZO!


The spacious rooftop sun terrace and the clear azure of the plunge poolmade for an instant drawon theirwebsite butwould it live up to it on closer inspection? In the tiny and peaceful Gozo village of St Lawrenz the apartment and I were in perfect harmony as the impression made on the website.


I guess this sun terrace and pool has and does contribute a great deal to selling this Gozo farmhouse style holiday apartment via James Villas. Aptly named ‘Haven’ as it is certainly that. Leaving Joe, the delighted owner happywith the occupancy rates that his excellent villa is recording.


Situated in a delightfully quiet and friendly village of St Lawrenz in the north of the rugged island. Here you can take time to get away and enjoy the harmonious ambience of the surroundings, located in a cool narrow alleyway just off the main street.


This limestone built former farmhouse is on three floors linked by a wonderful stone and marble rustic spiral staircase that is an architectural gem as are the sweeping lime stone arches that fly over the lounge, dining and kitchen area of the ground floor.With two bedrooms on the floor above it iswarren ofwarmcoloured stone in a provincialGozo style,which has a relaxing atmosphere perfect for holidaying in stressful times.


The roof terrace is spacious with a central barbeque pit set up, flanked by counter tops and a fridge and washing machine beneath. Ideal for entertaining using excellent local fish, fruits and vegetables some of these are available fromthe small village shop a few hundred metres away.


A fairly frequent local bus servicewill get you to the capital of the island Victoria,where there are numerous shopping options. The very private terrace is completed with four sun loungers and a cooling outdoor shower too. The neat pool about four feet deep is large enough for a few swimming strokes but as listed it’s a plunge pool in effect. Great for cooling you down after some


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tanning time or if you have been out exploring the local area.


Certainly, there are a number of charming places to explore on foot fromthe village. The former landmark of the AzureWindow now called after its recent total collapse the Azure Reef! Also in the same place around the reef area there is ‘Fungus Rock’ and the ‘Inland Sea’.


Ta Pinu the island basilica, this imposing church of the island people is now encircled at its entrance by a set of four colourful religious mosaics panels. This Catholic church took around 10 years to build from 19222 to 1932 and it is around two miles from the apartment.


Further afield fromyour apartment,which iswhere perhaps the option to rent a carmay occur.However,with the island so small tying upwith a taxi driver come guide is a great option.Why pay for a car that you are going to leave parked for large periods of the day? For reasonable fees they will get you to some of the


The stone & marble staircase


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