My wife and I, and our nephew, thoroughly enjoyed our all too brief sojourn at Dar ta'Pietru.

From the outset, communication with Michael and his father, Alfred, was seamless, both during the booking process, and, so too, throughout our stay.

Entering their idyllic rustic farmhouse, we were greeted warmly by Alfred, who set about showing us around, pointing out the various features of the property, and then after he had departed, we set about taking in the Arcadian charm of the decor around us. A walk up the steps onto the roof area revealed spectacularly beautiful 360 degree views of Gharb village and the Gozo countryside and the cerulean seas of the Mediterranean beyond, and after a brief spell soaking up the breathtaking panorama, our nephew decided that despite the chilly March breezes blowing all around us, he would fulfill his vow to take the plunge into the inviting, yet bracing, waters of the picturesque swimming pool, a feat that he accomplished every day, rain or shine, thereafter...

On arrival, everything immediately seemed so surreal...so fascinatingly otherworldly that we quickly became intoxicated by the mysticism of our island retreat, mesmerized by the beauty and serenity we found within it. We had truly arrived in paradise...so much so, that our nephew was inspired to declare that he would, in due course, be seeking to buy property himself on Gozo.

As for practicalities, the house was well equipped with all mod cons and necessary appliances, and the furnishings were tastefully deployed. In short, everything was sublime.

And of the Maltese Islands themselves...and of Gozo, in particular, what can one remark? Suffice to say that this is an archipelago that inspires a profound sense of awe, that is alive; one can almost feel its pulse, perceive it breathing, and Gozo, for me, is the jewel in the crown, the heart, the sanctum; as our nephew said, "The whole island is a view!"

Needless to say, our departure came all too soon, and when we left, we experienced an overwhelming feeling of sadness. However, rest assured, impressions of Gozo are now forever suffused in our hearts and we will no doubt return to once again savor its enchanting allure.