Anastasia

Memories of a Magical Holiday in the Aegean - Part 2

DAY 2 - July 7 - Serifos

Our arrival on the island of Serifos was.... adventurous! Upon arrival at Piraeus Port, we were told that our boat was delayed. Finally we sailed off on a different boat with a two-hour delay. We arrived in Serifos at 8:30 pm. The hotel's mini bus which would drive us to Coralli Bungalows as we had agreed wasn't there! We called the hotel several times but there was no answer. So, we tried to find a taxi and walked to the taxi station about 1 km carrying our luggage. No taxis!!! Our last resort was to hire a car. While I was keeping an eye on our luggage, Alkis went to the car rental office, but he was told that there were no cars available at that time and that we could have one in the morning! I was beginning to believe that we'd spend our first night on the street when a man at the car rental office asked us where we were going and we told him that we had booked a week at Coralli Bungalows. "Well," he replied, " I am the owner of Coralli Bungalows." He called the mini bus driver who was there for us in 5 minutes. The driver said that Seaways Company hadn't informed them about the delay. He was there for us at 6:30 pm and seeing that there was no boat, he left!  By 10:00 pm, we were having a romantic dinner at Takis Restaurant - right on the beach! All's well that ends well.

DAY 3 - July 8 - Serifos

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we couldn't wait to swim in those crystal-clear waters just a few steps away from our bungalow. It was sheer bliss!  We spent the whole day at the beach, had a great lunch at the hotel's restaurant and, in the evening, we walked to Livadi where we enjoyed dinner at one of the many restaurants  of the area.

DAY 4 - July 9 - Serifos

Serifos has an area of 75 m² , 70 km of coastline. and a population of about 1200 inhabitants. It is a small, peaceful island that hasn't experienced yet the dizzying tourist development of many of the other islands of the Cyclades such as Mykonos, Naxos or Santorini. Serifos makes time stand still and offers a unique feeling of harmony and relaxation.  It was yet another great day at the beach.

Memories of a Magical Holiday in the Aegean - Part 1

The islands of the Cyclades lie leisurely in the middle of the Aegean Sea southeast of Athens. They consist of 2200 islands, islets, rocks but only 33 of them are inhabited. They belong to the prefecture of Syros with Ermoupolis as their capital city and look like music variations on the same theme offering the visitor a unique feeling of calm and relaxation. They are also known as the "white islands" because of  their traditional cycladic architecture and their milk-white colour against the bare land and the deep, blue sea. My husband and I have already been to Mykonos, Syros and Naxos and were so impressed by the breathtaking views and the cycladic harmony and beauty that we decided to spend our vacation in the Cyclades, this summer as well. This time, we spent three days in Athens and a week on Serifos. We also visited the nearby island of Sifnos. 

 

DAY 1 - Friday, July 6 - Athens

We took the early morning flight of Aegean Airlines to Athens, which left on time at 05:10. and landed at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos at 07:45. By 07:30, we checked in at Titania Hotel in the city centre. As our room wasn't ready yet, we left our luggage at the reception and set off to enjoy sight seeing in Athens and shopping at Monastiraki. Having visited Acropolis and the Parthenon many times, we preferred to explore the city centre which sits amongst the ruins of Ancient Greece. Our walk through Athens took us to Stadiou Street - one of the city's large avenues and from there we headed to Syntagma Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which stands in front of the Old Royal Palace and is guarded by the Evzones of the  Presidential Guard. We watched the change of guard for a while before visiting the ruins of Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus

As it was very hot that day, we continued our walk through Zapeion National Garden - an oasis of peace and quiet in the hustle and bustle of the city centre.  Time flew by so fast! We didn't even realise it was already 1:00 pm.  Only then did we realise that since breakfast at home at 03:30, we hadn't had anything to eat! It was such a bad idea to decline breakfast on Aegean Airlines! We dared the heat and walked back to Stadiou Street and from there to Aiolou Street where we had a glass of ouzo and appetizers called ouzomeze. Finally, we had lunch at Paradosiako - a traditional Greek restaurant. After lunch, we went back to the hotel and had a good siesta!

In the evening, we met our good old friends, Titos and his wife Mary who we hadn't seen in a long time. We had a drink at Olive Garden - the roof garden bar & restaurant at our hotel and then a great dinner at Kouvelos Tavern  in Koukaki.

DAY 2 - Saturday, July 7 - Athens

Our second day in Athens was entirely devoted to shopping. We shopped at Attica - one of Athens' most renown department stores. I got a boho style black dress for the beach, a total white outfit, sandals, a couple of T-shirts, a handbag and cosmetics. Alkis got linen trousers and shirts and a pair of beige sneakers. Soon after lunch, we took a taxi to Piraeus Port. Our boat to Serifos sailed off with a two-hour delay! That was the beginning of a quite eventful arrival on the island of Serifos!

Omodos

One of the most beautiful villages in Cyprus is located in the southern foothills of the Troodos Mountains. At an altitude of 900 metres, Omodos is in the centre of the famous wine making region of the country and is only a 30 minute drive from Limassol and a 75 minute from Larnaca The village is built around the Monastery of the Holy Cross which, according to records, dates back to the arrival of Saint Helena in Cyprus (A.D.337). The Monastery is home to a piece of the Holy Rope with which Christ's hands were tied to the Cross.

In the centre of the Monastery an imposing Church stands having a gilded icon stand inside, dating back to 1817. Within the Church valuable relics are kept such as fragments of saintly bones and the skull of Saint Philip. In front of the Monastery there is a colourful, cobblestoned square covering an area of 3000m², surrounded by coffee houses, tavernas and shops. The square is the only one of its kind in Cyprus. The medieval "Linos" (wine-press) is one of the oldest in Cyprus and a representative example of traditional craftsmanship and wine making techniques.

You will be particularly attracted by the village's narrow alleys and wood crafted verandas overlooking the streets which are filled with coloured flowerpots in every corner and yard, but above all by the legendary hospitality of the inhabitants. Refurbished traditional homes and Guest Houses, offer a unique living experience of  village life.

Easter 2018 - Pedoulas, Cyprus

The village of Pedoulas lies leisurely in Marathasa Valley at about 1200 metres above sea level, on the northern flanks of Troodos Mountain Range. The village counts 130 inhabitants as most young people fled to the city. Alkis and I went for an Easter holiday in Pedoulas and had such a great time there! The village is about 119km from Larnaca and it takes 1h 43 minutes to get there. It took us almost 2 h 30m as we stopped at the beautiful village of Kakopetria for a cup of coffee.

DAY 1 - Friday, 6 April 2018

Kakopetria is located in Solea Valley and stands at an altitude of 667 metres above sea level. The village is built on the banks of two rivers - the Kargotis and Garillis, which join within the village and form the Klarios river. Kakopetria is also a popular summer resort due to its cool climate during our hot summer months. Soon after coffee, we took the winding road to Pedoulas. I was so excited as we drove past a magical natural setting consisting of pine trees, poplars and wild vegetation. We checked in at Cristy's Palace Hotel - an old mansion built in 1945. It's got nothing to do with a standard 5-star hotel. It's not a palace in this sense, but it's a beautiful family-run mansion. Mr Andreas, the owner, gave us a warm welcome and both my husband and I felt as if we were guests at his home. Our room was small but functional and nicely decorated. Mr Andreas recommended "Two Flowers Restaurant" for lunch, just opposite the hotel. We loved the food there. As we were both fasting, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant offered a good choice of lenten dishes.  In the evening, we attended the church service of the Epitaph at the church of the Holy Cross - a church which dominates the village. We went back to "Two Flowers" for dinner.

 

DAY 2 - Saturday, 7 April 2018

Breakfast at Cristy's Hotel was excellent! We really enjoyed it! Soon after breakfast, we set off to explore only a few of the 14 villages which belong to Marathasa Valley.

In the evening, we attended the midnight service of the Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Cross in Pedoulas. And then we had the traditional soup and flaounes  at "Two Flowers Restaurant"

 

DAY 3 - Sunday, 8 April 2018

On Easter Sunday, we visited Kykkos Monastery for the second time in 30 years.  I had tears in my eyes as I knelt down and worshiped Her Grace  - the Grace of Virgin Mary. Photos aren't allowed in the Monastery.

And then we had a festive lunch in Pedoulas.

This was one of the best Easter holidays I've ever had. Apart from its natural beauties, what I loved most about Pedoulas is the warmth and hospitality of the people who made me feel part of their small community.

 

 

An Adventurous Trip to Aphrodite’s Land

DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

Legend has it that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, was born on the island of Cyprus and rose from the foam of the waves at Petra tou Romiou – the Greek's Rock also known as Aphrodite's Rock. This is where Alkis and I stopped for coffee on our way to Droushia, situated at 158 km from Larnaca. Right at the outskirts of Akamas Peninsula, the village of Droushia stands 600 metres above sea level, in a unique location, with stunning seaside and mountain views. We loved the cool breeze once there. It seems that the village derives its name from the Greek word "drossia", which means cool and fresh ....and a bit cold at this time of year!

We checked in at Droushia Heights Hotel and literally fell in love at first sight with this beautiful hotel! We loved everything! Our room overlooking the splendid Polis Chrysochous Bay and the surrounding green meadows and fields. We had lunch at the Farm Yard Restaurant in Kathicas – a nearby village. The food was great and the service impeccable! . In the evening, we tried the hotel's buffet which tasted more like Mum's cooking than a standard hotel buffet. Congratulations to the Chef!

DAY 2 – THURSDAY, MARCH 8

It was an adventurous day! Soon after breakfast, we set off to explore Akamas peninsula. Akamas is located on the western tip of Cyprus and covers 230 km². It is an area of great natural beauty, completely unspoilt by development. You can have access to this area either by boat or by Jeep or a 4-wheel drive. We had the right car but we made three serious mistakes before setting off :

• We didn't hire a guide.
• We didn't have a map as I was sure I could download a Google map but we could not connect to the Internet.
• We took the wrong track!!

And so, we got lost, in the middle of nowhere! I was literally on the verge of a panic attack! I was trembling and shaking, my heart was pounding and I was screaming with fear. Never before have I felt so scared. Actually, I was terrified. Alkis ignored me and concentrated on driving, but we kept driving to nowhere!!

I begged Alkis to call for help!

"No, we're not going to call for help.", Alkis said "We're going to find our way back to Droushia, but, please, stop screaming and try to think whether or not we drove along this track!"

I was unable to think!

Three hours later, Alkis found the right track and we drove to Neo Chorio and from there to Latchi . Feeling relieved, We went for a walk along the beach and later had lunch at Porto Latchi. I had lavraki (sea bass) right out of the fisherman's basket!

Later in the afternoon, we had a good rest at the hotel and then had dinner at To Petradaki – a nearby local tavern.

DAY 3 – FRIDAY, MARCH 9

According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love used to bathe here. This is the spot where she met her lover, Adonis, who had stopped for a drink. Aphrodite offered the water and it seems that he fell head over heels in love with her as soon as he drank it. However, regardless of mythology, the water is not potable!

DAY 4 – MARCH 10

It was a long and adventurous journey, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After breakfast, we went for a walk in the village of Droushia, had lunch at Polis Chrysochous and drove back home in the afternoon.

I am still filled with the amazing beauties of Aphrodite's Land!

Bidding Farewell to 2017 – Paphos 2018

Alkis and I welcomed 2018 in the picturesque city of Paphos, which is situated on the western coast of Cyprus at about 150 km from Larnaca. We set off in high spirits on New Year's Eve after having done some last-minute shopping. On our way, we stopped at Pissouri Village where we enjoyed our last lunch of 2017 while watching the rain – actually, it wasn't just rain, it was a heavy downpour. As we had forgotten our umbrellas in the car, we ran to the parking lot hit by the sweet smell of fresh, invigorating drops of rain. The rain poured down over the city of Paphos throughout the remaining few hours of 2017. By 5:00 pm, we had checked in at Coral Beach Hotel and had coffee by the glowing fire in the elegant lobby.

The New Year's Eve party surpassed our expectations. I was impressed with the festive decorations of the lush buffet as well as with how well the whole event was organised. There was a wide range of starters, sushi, seafood, various meats and salads, desserts and cheeses. I don't think I've ever eaten so much on a New Year's Eve before! We ordered a smooth, medium-bodied Côte du Rhône with a delicate bouquet to pair with the delicious dishes the Executive Chef and his team had created. We bid farewell to 2017 and welcomed 2018 on the dance floor amid cheers, laughter, wishes and festive music. There were about 300 people of various nationalities in the ballroom, yet I felt as if we were one huge family

 

On New Year's Day, we woke to a bright, sunny morning! Some clouds, though, were still trying bravely to keep the rain away. And so they did! After a festive breakfast at the hotel, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll in the sunshine along the promenade in Kato Paphos. After the feast on New Year's Eve followed by a big breakfast , we had a light meal at Bacchus Restaurant consisting of grilled chicken and a salad. We sat outside, enjoying our meal and the sunshine and feeling thankful to those clouds which didn't give in to rain. Alkis and I are bon vivants, so we had Chinese for our first dinner in 2018. We loved the food at Phucket's even though we didn't eat everything and the service was excellent!

On our last day in Paphos, we went for a walk around the medieval castle. Paphos castle is located in Kato Paphos at the harbour. This castle was originally built to protect the harbour and was a Byzantine fort. During the 13th century the castle was rebuilt by the Lusignans. In 1570 however, the castle was once again destroyed by the Venetians who at that time were unable to protect the castle from the ongoing attacks by the Ottomans. The Ottomans succeeded in gaining access to Paphos and during the Ottoman rule the castle was once again restored, expanded, and strengthened to what it is today. The castle itself is a stunning stone walled castle built on the harbour.  There is an arched battle way bridge that connects the castle to the harbour itself.  There are very few windows in this castle but the view from the top platform is magnificent and from here you can see Kato Paphos in all its glory.  It really is a site worth seeing and for those interested in culture; Paphos Castle is a definite must see during your trip to Cyprus.  Paphos Castle is listed in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites and is fully protected.

In 1935 Paphos castle was declared an ancient monument and to this day it is considered to be one of the many hallmarks of Paphos .  The square just in front of Paphos castle is used for many cultural events throughout the year.  Most of these events take place annually and in September you can see the Aphrodite Festival.  The Paphos Aphrodite Festival organizers invite a well known opera troupe to come and perform every year.  This stunning event takes place in the square in front of Paphos Castle and the castle itself is used for scenery in the opera.  Some of the famous operas that have been performed include Verdi's La Traviata and Bizet's Carmen.

Once inside the castle there is not much to see or do but once you reach the top platform you will see the breath taking view of the marina.  Many people also use Paphos Castle as a backdrop for some amazing and memorable holiday pictures.

On our way back home, we stopped for lunch at Governor's Beach in Limassol.

Right now, I'm counting my blessings and wishing you more. Have a happy and prosperous New Year. I wish you new dreams, new hopes and new joys.

Syros - July 2017 - Ermoupolis - Ano Syros

ERMOUPOLIS

Ermoupolis ,the capital city of Syros, is the island's largest natural harbour and a town noted for its marvelous neoclassical buildings. Using the harbour as our starting point, we followed the coast road which led us to a flagstone street - Eleftheriou Venizelou -  and from there we  got to the famous Miaoulis Square.  The Town Hall, which dominates the square, is a splendid neoclassical building of the 19th centurry. The square was named after Andreas Miaoulis, the Greek hero of the Greek Revolution in 1821. We had espressos and "halvadopita"- one of the island's famous desserts. This gave us the energy to climb up the 900 pebbled steps to Ano Syros!  We were rewarded by the awe-inspring views of  Ermoupolis and the picturesque neighbourhood of Ano Syros.

 

ANO SYROS

The ascent to Ano Syros on foot was such a wonderful experience! We walked along the narrow lanes, we stopped at a café to have a coffee and some of Syros' delicious "loukoumia", we admired the bougainvillea , we loved Saint George Catholic Church and the museum of Markos Vamvakaris - one of Greece's most popular songwriters.Thank God, we made our way back to Ermoupolis harbour through the labyrinthian  maze of alleyways and , yes, we were starving! So, we  had lunch at "Petrino" in Ermoupolis.

 

 

Syros – July 2017 – Day 1

Syros lies leisurely in the middle of the Cyclades and has an area of 86 km² and is 23km long. It is mostly a hilly island which features amazing bays, crystal-clear waters and two natural harbours – Ermoupoli to the east and Phinikas to the west. Unlike its neighbours – Mykonos , Naxos and Paros, Syros is a quaint and peaceful island mostly visited by Greeks although tourism from other countries is rising steadily. My husband and I prefer quiet summer holiday destinations, a little bit off the beaten track, we both hate night life and love sunrises and quiet beaches. So, our summer holiday always rhymes with Greece and small, quaint islands.

DAY 1 – FRIDAY, JULY 14 2017

I spent all morning packing and yet I made time to cook a quick meal for lunch – grilled fillet chicken, pasta and a salad. I also made time for a siesta before getting ready to fly Cobalt to Athens.. Our flight left almost on time - with a 13-minute delay – but, most importantly, Cobalt safely landed us at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens. I usually feel more nervous than usual when I fly a new airline! I'm still working on my fear of flying. But, to be honest, I enjoyed the flight. We checked in at Titania Hotel and decided to stay at the hotel and have dinner at Olive Garden on the 11^th floor. We greatly enjoyed a splendid view to the Parthenon while sipping dry martini cocktails. The food which followed was delicious. We went to bed late despite the fact that we had to get up early the following day to catch the ferry to Syros.

Ikaria – Icarus’ Land – Part 2

DAY 2 – Sunday, July 10, 2016

The island of Ikaria situated in the eastern Aegean belongs to the Prefecture of Samos in the Dodecanese. It has a population of about 8500 and an area of 660 km². It is mostly a mountainous island featuring long coastlines, green slopes and steep rocks. The roofs of the houses are all made of slate and they are pretty much like the ones in Pelion.

The island was named after Icarus, Daedalus' son – the mythical sculptor and inventor. According to Greek mythology, Minos, the king of Crete, was furious when he found out that Daedalus had given Ariadne (Minos' daughter) the special thread that helped Theseus, the king of Athens , escape from the labyrinth after having killed the horrific Minotaur. To punish Daedalus, Minos locked him into the labyrinth along with his son, Icarus. Seeing that it was impossible for them to escape by sea since armoured ships patrolled the Cretan coastlines, Daedalus realised that they could only escape by air. Daedalus's inventive mind soon worked out a solution. He constructed huge wings from wicker branches and cloth and stuck them together with wax. Then he attached his wings onto his shoulders using wax again and showed Icarus how to attach his own wings. They flew together over the high mountains of Crete travelling to freedom. Young Icarus, however, was so thrilled that he started flying higher and higher to greet Helios (the Sun). In vain, his father warned him not to go near Helios. Very soon, the hot rays of the sun softened the wax and melted the binds of the wings. As a result, Icarus fell into the deep sea and drowned. Since then the sea in the eastern Aegean has been called the Ikarian sea and the nearby island, Ikaria.

We spent our second day on the enchanting island of Ikaria at Livadia beach, which is only a few steps away from Erofili Beach Hotel. We really enjoyed swimming in those crystal-clear blue waters. We swam for about an hour and worked up an appetite. We tried the nearby Delfini Tavern with a spectacular view to the beach. The food was good but, unfortunately, the service was very slow.

Later in the evening, we went for a walk at Armenistis stopping at souvenir shops, taking photos or simply gazing at the immense blue of the Icarian Sea.

DAY 3 – Monday, July 11, 2016

Armenistis is a small fishing village and a pole of attraction for many visitors and tourists. It is the dock area of the Municipality of Raches, and spreads out above its small golden bay. And what a beautiful bay this is!

Our third day on the island of Ikaria was yet another glimpse of paradise.

DAY 4 - Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Since our arrival on the island of Ikaria, we had been toying with the idea of renting a car and exploring the unique beauties of this island. Finally, we decided that all we really wanted was a quiet and relaxing holiday, a great beach and, of course, great food!

DAY 5 – Wednesday, July 13, 2016

We spent the whole day on the beach and later we enjoyed yet another walk along the narrow streets of Armenistis. This is one reason why we both enjoy each other's company so much that we've never felt like going on holiday with friends!

DAY 6 – Thursday, July 14, 2016

After a copious breakfast at the veranda of Erofili Beach Hotel, we walked to the nearby beach of Messakti. This is a quiet sandy beach. There were hardly any people when we got there. Swimming in those waters was sheer bliss!

While basking in the sun (such a pity I never get a decent tan!) I read a book about the local produce. I honestly thought that "kaisi" – a kind of apricot - existed only in Cyprus. Well, this same kind of apricot is called "kaisi" in Ikaria as well. Alkis was unable to understand why I was so excited! Ah...well! :-)

DAY 7 – Friday, July 15, 2016

This was our last day on the magical island of Ikaria. We decided to spend it at the swimming pool. I hate swimming pools but when I realised that the swimming pool at Erofili Beach Hotel is filled with sea water, I changed my mind. We loved the luscious garden and swimming in the pool was an invigorating experience.

DAY 8 – Saturday, July 16, 2016

Today, at 06:30 we bid a fond farewell to the alluring island of Ikaria. Olympic Airways landed at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport , Athens at 10:00 am. We spent four enjoyable hours at the airport in Athens before flying Aegean Airlines back home.

Indeed, this was a memorable holiday!

Ikaria, Greece – The Island Where People Forget to Die - Part 1

Scientists are trying to understand why residents of the laid-back Greek island of Ikaria enjoy such longivity.

DAY 1 – Saturday, July 9, 2016

Getting up at 2:30 am wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. On the contrary, after a very good night's sleep, Alkis and I got up as soon as the alarm clock went off . After all, I had some last-minute packing to do. Our flight to Athens was due at 5:20 am, but we wanted to get to the airport before 4:00 am so that we'd have time for breakfast and shopping after check-in.

  Aegean Airlines took off on time. Despite my fear of flying, I must admit that we had a very pleasant flight with no turbulence, thank God! I know planes ...shudder – to put it mildly – when they enter some turbulence. At 6:50 am, the plane landed at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Then we had to catch the Olympic Airways flight to Ikaria at 7:55 am. We were pleasantly surprised to see that a lady from the ground staff guided us to the gate.

The plane was .... very small. All in all, there were about 40 passengers and a kind of airstairs.... and one stewardess and .... two propellers! I was scared to death! The air hostess offered us drinks but I declined the offer. Just before landing 40 minutes later, she sat opposite me, smiling and said : "Don't worry. We'll be soon landing at Ikaria Airport." I smiled back and did my best to relax.

Upon arrival, we took the mini bus sent by Erofili Beach Hotel which drove us to the magical village of Armenistis. Although Armenistis is situated at about 45 km from the airport, it took us about 1hour 30 to get there because of the narrow, winding road. We were warmly welcomed at the hotel and offered freddo espressos at the terrace overlooking the Aegean Sea. I couldn't have enough of those breathtaking views!

Soon afterwards, we set off to explore this small paradise on earth. We had some ouzo and meze for aperitif and then lunch at Delphini Tavern . We spent the rest of the afternoon ....sleeping!