After our flight to Malta we made the short ferry crossing to Gozo. Our base was a small, family-run hotel right on the harbour front at Xlendi, in the south of the island. All rooms were en-suite and the food and service were excellent.

Our painting trips included a visit to the high cliffs above the ‘inland sea’ at Dwerja Point and the spectacular ‘Azure Window’, a natural rock arch framing the turquoise Mediterranean. One day was spent painting at The Citadel at Victoria, the hilltop capital from where the whole of Gozo’s skyline can be seen. Another day was spent at the harbour at Mgarr, where we painted the traditional, brightly coloured fishing boats.

Our guide was the ever informative and helpful Jay, a local resident, who supplied us with imaginative picnic lunches each day.