Friday 10 February 2017

Dar tal-Kaptan: Gay Friendly Guesthouse on Gozo

10.2.2017 by Warren Bugeja


Gozo the Island of love and myth, sleepy villages, meandering country walks, long lingering dinners and spectacular sunsets. Calypso detained Ulysses for at least 7 years here. While you may not stay as long, this tiny Island will enrapture you with its sensual charms and laid back Mediterranean lifestyle. Just a 20 minute ferry ride from its big sister Malta, Gozo is worlds away in pace, mentality and energy. Stress, pressing concerns and especially the traffic seem to melt away and dissipate within a few minutes of arrival.

A few days here is all it takes to recharge your batteries, re-center and re-generate oneself.

And what better place to soothe your senses with restful relaxation than in the nurturing, tranquil and idyllic sanctuary of Dar tal-Kaptan Boutique Maison.

All forms of love are welcome and celebrated here and this 350 year old farmhouse exudes warmth and sensuality with its eclectic collection of erotic art, sculptures, paintings and books.

Gozo, despite being very Catholic is quite tolerant of LGBT lifestyles. A large expat and artistic community have chosen to live here, making for some eccentric and fun encounters. In Sannat they say the water is gay as many gay Gozitans seem to hail from there. Rosina’s bar and restaurant, situated in a picturesque piazzetta in this village doubles up as an informal gay meeting place when the restaurant patrons move on to their digestifs. There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants dotted all over the Island, whilst each season provides its own unique blend of entertainment. Summer is abuzz with village festas, fireworks, wine festivals, beach parties, open air discos, alfresco dining, and water sports. Lazy days are spent supine on red sandy beaches, lounging by private pools, smooching in hidden coves and letting it all hang out in hard to get to scenic coastal beauty spots. Autumn offers a bonanza for opera buffs, late mornings by the pool stretch into early November and the countryside slowly turns verdant and lush, heralding the trekking and cycling season.

In December the Island dons garlands of tinsel, Father Christmases are everywhere, found climbing onto parapets and several villages re-enact their own version of Bethlehem. February is famous for its dark, riotous, four day street party in Nadur; a curious anthropological blend of Halloween and Carnival. Spring is all about Easter pageantry and Good Friday processions, a candle-lit outdoor Via Sacra opposite the miraculous basilica of Ta Pinu, fields ablaze in flower and the first dips in the sea of the year.

This is all on your doorstep at Dar tal-Kaptan Bed and Breakfast.

Nestled in the quiet village of Ghasri with panoramic valley views, but no more than a 5 minute drive to the capital, Victoria, Dar tal-Kaptan features 4 themed suites, all with their own bathroom, private lounge area and outdoor terraces with fantastic views. Each exquisitely decorated suite has a small fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, air-conditioning and fans, cable TV, wi-fi access, complimentary toiletries, towels and fresh fruit. 


During your stay you will be able to make use of the outdoor pool and jacuzzi, bar-b-que area, book and DVD library, communal kitchen, internet and several lounge areas. There is an additional (reduced) charge for use of Sauna/Hamam. A hearty and healthy breakfast buffet is included in the price of your stay catering for guests with specific dietary requirements. Being I.T.E.C qualified the hosts also provide Aromatherapy and Deep Tissue Massages and other holistic services such as Reflexology, and Indian Head Massage.



Jacuzzi


Breakfast in Summer


Your hosts - Warren and Peter


Library


Tea with a view


Green Gozo: view from your rooms


Tanga Goddess, one of Peter’s ceramic artworks


Shisha Lounge


Conservatory

Upon arriving at Dar tal-Kaptan you are given a warm welcome by your hosts Peter and Warren and invited to refreshments before being escorted to your rooms. Breakfast is a communal affair providing a chance to interact and converse with other guests and to get to know your hosts better.

Your hosts are on hand during your stay to give you an introduction to Gozo’s history and traditions, to answer any queries you may have, to offer restaurant and sight-seeing recommendations and to suggest and book activities such as Abseiling, Scuba-diving, Jeep Safaris, Quad-Bike tours, Craft and Ceramic Classes, Fishing Trips, Private Boat Charting, Kayaking, Agri-Tourism and Wine-Tasting, Beauty treatments, Yoga Classes and more.


Gazebo from the Conservatory

Just exiting the front door country trails lead to Ta Pinu in one direction, the magical bathing spot cum ‘fjord’ of Wied l-Ghasri, sunset from the Lighthouse and the lesser known second Azure window at Wied Mielah, all reachable on foot from the guesthouse.


Wied L-Ghasri


Wied Mielah

The Rooms:


Serenity/ Serhan Suite

Serenity: This jewel accented zen hideaway is a seamless fusion of Asian calm and Mediterranean centredness. Dissolve into memory foam mattresses that mould their shape to your body and wake up to a walk-in power shower. Have a cup of herbal tea on your own private terrace with breathtaking valley views and a peek of the sea framed by the nearby lighthouse above.



Nostalgia/Holma Suite

Cross the threshold into a bygone era......
Featuring authentic antique fin de siècle furniture, a solid brass bed, old patterned Maltese tiles and a Victorian bath tub in a curtained alcove near your bed, this romantic suite is nostalgic in every sense. Shower to an amazing view or sink into a scented bath and soak your aches away.


Tranquillity/Mistrieh Suite
Colonial cool and winter warmth....
Arched vaults, limestone flagstones original Maltese and Gozitan artwork, stone niches and cane colonial furniture combine to ensure that your stay in this suite is as tranquil and stress free as can be. An annexe (which can be cordoned off to accommodate an extra bed and increased privacy) features a kitchenette, lounge and dining area plus access to two terraces with pool and sheltered valley views.


Fantasy/Briju Suite

Indulge your inner child…..
Driftwood beach meets colourful candy store in this whimsical, magical suite which comes with its own spacious and private courtyard and access to a large sun terrace with country views. This suite consists of a mini flatlet with separate bedroom, lounge and kitchenette and bathroom.



Briju Suite

To book an unforgettable stay at this beautiful B&B contact 

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