We are first-time visitors to Malta and in our fourth week, returning to the UK next Monday evening. My wife and I have had a brilliant time staying at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema.

Yesterday we set off for Mellieħa but carried on to take the ferry to Gozo. We had already been warned about going there by ourselves rather than taking an organised tour... but there we were!

We were bombarded by taxi drivers when we disembarked but said no to all except one who said he would take us to the church for €1 each as it is four kilometres away and uphill and we could not walk. Reluctantly we agreed and once we set off the taxi driver started to try and sell us more of his time - all day round the island, a trip to the capital for a special price etc.

We said no as we neared St John the Baptist Church when he informed us that the church would be closed and there were no restaurants nearby nor buses back to the harbour.

Needless to say we felt conned by this and paid our €2 to get rid of him.

We met a church cleaner and asked if we could have a quick look round but she said no. We then had some lunch at the Sports café and the owner said we could walk back to the harbour in 20 minutes - so we set off.

Another cleaner lady stopped us and asked if we wanted to see inside the church which we agreed to and were given a guided tour of yet another beautiful church.

We then walked back to the ferry and returned to Malta.

We have mixed feelings about this as the taxi driver wanted us in his car for €2 to then try and sell us more of his time.

My wife says that without him we would never have walked to this beautiful church and were unsure of bus times etc.

Another warning to tourists to beware travelling to Gozo on their own.