Greek Islands

Poros and Methana

2006-02-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Both Methana and Poros are very frequently not considered islands for there are so close to Peloponnesus that you can actually swim from one shore to the easily. They have lovely waters for one to swim and provide a nice and quiet nearby escape from Athens.
Methana actually has a volcano, which is visible when one looks up to see the funny shapes of rocks, the rich color of the soil and the misty color of the sea around its shores. Then there is also hot springs for a relaxing bath.
The walk to the volcano is always worth it and then the paths that lead from Vathi to the springs and back promises lovely scenery. Methana is reachable by boat which is more enjoyable, but also by car.
Poros on the other hand is rich in trees and green and contains, along with Vouliagmeni, the most famous water ski and sky gliding center close to Attika. Many water sports lovers come even in the winter in order to do their training. Poros on one side and Peloponnesus on the other and both with tall mountains, together provide a gulf with protection provided by nature, so sportsmen don’t face problems such as waves or high wind.
Also, Poros is full of little streams that fall into the sea water. The natural water is used by the islanders, but also collected in some quantity, to be taken to Hydra. Also is reached by sea and by car with a ferry at the end.
Every summer both places are full of many sailing and fast boats that have found these two little paradises as a place to have a quick swim, get food supply and then head off for other islands of the Saronic Gulf or even Cyclades.

by Alice Darzentas

Hydra

2006-02-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Hydra is a small island of the Saronic Gulf. It is famous for its historic role in the Greek Revolution of 1821. Today it is one of the most famous islands of Greece with many tourists visiting every year especially in the summer.
It only has one town and small villages with few houses spread upon the island. It is mostly covered in rock with a few pine trees. The water is crystal clear with many shells and colorful fish and corals.
One thing Hydra is famous for is the fact that there are no cars, only a few motorcycles, for the roads are paved with pebbles and transportation is fulfilled with the assistance of donkeys. In fact it’s sort of a mascot for the island.
Another thing well known is the fact that the island has short water supplies and people receive water from a water boat from the Peloponnesus.
One can enjoy the Hydra band, which along with bands from other islands, participated in the musical introduction of the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, when it performs on national and religious celebrations.
The island has a variety of little shops as well as restaurants with good food that usually contains freshly caught fish and for desert apart from ice cream most sweet shops provide the famous Hydra macaroons.
The walk up to the lighthouse is worth it for the lovely view, where one can see the beautiful blue sea and the nearby islands. Also the stroll on the other side of the harbor can be done with a donkey ride to go and see the wall with the canons where the people of Hydra fought for the revolution, as well as see another spectacular view from another part of the small island.

by Alice Darzentas

Andros

2006-02-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

The island of Andros is one of Cycladic islands, a group of islands, located at the Aegean Sea. It was named after Andros, a warrior, son of Radamanthis a famous foreteller, who first inhabited the island. It is a mainly mountainous island, but it also has many beautiful green valleys. In contrast to the other islands of Cycladic, Andros has many rivers, torrents, springs as well as oak and walnut trees, that give the impression of a truly green island. Due to the fact that Andros has so many rivers and forests, the locals used to refer to the island as Idrousa and Epagris. The dense forests of Andros, are really beautiful and interesting, especially to the nature lovers, since they can see not only a great variety of plants and trees, but also rare species of hawks, eagles and partridges. As any other Greek island, Andros is famous for its amazing beaches. Sandy or with pebbles, crowded or isolated, this island has a great number of fine places to go for a swim, but the most popular ones are Grias Pidima and the organized beach of Niborio, at Hora, the capital of the island.
Andros not only has natural beauties, but also its villages are picturesque and really worth for someone to see. The architecture is that of a typical Aegean island, small white houses, churches, but also neoclassical buildings and Venetian style houses can be seen, especially in Hora. There are very important monuments at the island, such as the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, the biggest monastery in Andros, which was probably built during the Byzantine times, and later functioned as a school. Today the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery has a big library that contains many important and rare books and manuscripts.
The island is often considered as a cultural capital of the Cycladic, not only because it was the birthplace of famous poets and intellectuals, such as Andreas Empirikos, but also because of its famous Museum of Modern Art, which organizes interesting and important exhibitions, every summer, about famous artists of our times.

by Zoe Tsalta

Spetses

2006-02-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

Spetses, the beautiful island of the Saronic Gulf, is a cosmopolitan and stately island. It is one of the popular destinations for weekends and holidays all year round. In ancient times, it was called Pityousa which means “full of pines”. Its present name was probably given by the Venetians who called the island “Isola di Spezzie” which means “island of fragrances” due to its many aromatic plants.
The island excites the visitor with its lush pine – forested landscapes and crystal waters. The historic character of Spetses is apparent everywhere. Spetses is also famous as the Bouboulinas island, because here lived this heroine of the Greek Revolution. From 1821 to 1822, the island played an important role in the Greek War of Independence in fighting against the Turks.
The population of the island is 4.100 inhabitants living in the town of Spetses. The town is the only settlement on the island. Lovely, hospitable people are eager to welcome and guide visitors to the island, through its historic, cultural and natural beauties.
The island’s geographical location, its regular connection to the mainland port of Piraeus, and its proximity to the opposite Peloponnesian coast enable an easy access to the island.
Ferries arrive regularly from Piraeus and Plaka near Leonidi and Napflion on the Peloponnese. No motor vehicles are allowed on this island, so the public transportation is provided by taxi-donkeys and water taxis.(correction: There are plenty of motorcycles/scooters on Spetses and vehicles used as taxis or buses can be driven with a special license although there are not many of them) The inhabited area is so compact that most people walk everywhere.
There are also archaeological findings which date back to 2000 BC.

by Christos Pashalidis

Aigina

2006-02-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

Are you in Athens and you wanted to visit an island? Don’t have much money and time? Don’t worry! Aegina Island is the best solution. Located in the center of the Argosaronic Gulf only half an hour form Piraeus Aegina attracts many Athenians during week-ends, throughout the year and especially during summer time. Aegina is a beautiful, fertile and verdant island, with picturesque villages, fine beaches and interesting archaeological monuments.
Every one who sets foot on the colourful island of Aegina has a lot of things to do and to see. Starting from the beautiful Temple of Aphaea, built in the 5th century BC, and considered as the finest archaeological monument of the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean the visitor can also admire the Temple of Apollo and pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum.
The island is full of beaches with clean crystalline waters, such Agia Marina, Perdika, Souvala and Marathon.
After swimming a walk to the town of Aegina will relax you. It is a lovely little town, with beautiful neoclassical buildings of different bright colours, narrow streets, picturesque cafes, nice squares and a lovely port where tiny coloured fishing boats are mooring. And if don’t want to relax Aegina has plenty bars and pubs where you can have great time.
Leaving the island where Nikos Kanzantzakis wrote the famous Zorbas the Greek don’t forget to try the pistachios. Aegina has been producing them from antiquity since now offering a wide range of those excellent nuts, served in all the imaginable ways.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Hospital: +30 22970 22209, +30 22970 22251

Medical Center: +30 22970 22222

Police Station: +30 22970 22100

Tourist Police: +30 22970 27777, +30 22970 23333, +30 22970 22260

Tourist information: +30 22970 25690, +30 22970 23613

Port Authorities: +30 22970 22328

Piraeus Port Authorities: +30 210 4124585

Bus Services: +30 22970 22787

Taxi Aegina: +30 22970 22635

Flying Dolphins: +30 22970 24456, +30 22970 24571, +30 26154

Banks:National Bank of Greece: +30 22970 22632
Alpha Bank: +30 22970 27940-4
Commercial Bank of Greece: +30 22970 28664

Archeological Museum: +30 22970 22637

Aphaea Temple: +30 22970 32398

by Leda Tsene