Plains, trains and Automobiles around Greek islands
Many people consider the Greek islands to be the ideal place on Earth. Here you will find historical monuments, an emerald-colored sea, beautiful nature, cozy coastal taverns, sandy beaches and romantic sunsets, intersecting each other in a surprisingly harmonious way. The summer months are the peak tourist season, but there is plenty to see at other times of the year as well. In autumn and spring it becomes less hot, which is ideal for hiking along mountain routes. You can swim in the sea until mid-November, and many hotels offer pools where the swimming season continues all year round. Winter in Greece is not too cold, the average temperature in January is about +16 °C, and in February it does not fall below +14 °C. Rains are quite rare here.
Greece has a well-organized ferry system between the islands, which allows you to travel around the country even with a rented car.
Crete
Crete is not just an island, but rather a small state, like Malta or Sri Lanka. Although the capital of Crete is Heraklion, most tourists prefer the more resort town of Chania or the festival town of Rethymnon. In addition, there are cozy small towns throughout the island, with buses running between them.
Due to its large size, it is impossible to explore the entire island at one time. However, there are a few must-see places that are worth visiting. In the northwestern part of the island is the blue lagoon of Balos, which is one of the main and most popular attractions. It is also worth visiting the Palace of Knossos, where, according to legend, the Minotaur lived. The Samaria Gorge, 18 kilometers long, offers the most famous hiking route in Crete. Don't forget to stop by the resort town of Agios Nikolaos, the pink sand beach of Elafonisi and the nearby Chrysoskalitissa monastery. In the village of Matala there are caves that were once home to one of the largest hippie communes in the world, among whom lived Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Now the caves have become a popular tourist attraction.
Rhodes
On the island of Rhodes, during the reign of ancient Greek civilization, there was the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World, a huge statue of the god Helios, which greeted all ships arriving at the port of the island. Unfortunately, the statue has not survived to this day - in the 3rd century BC it was destroyed by earthquakes, which were quite frequent in this region. Now in its place stands a Crusader castle, built in the 14th century mainly from the stones of the destroyed Colossus of Rhodes. The main attraction of the island is the Rhodes Fortress, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. You can spend hours wandering around the fortress and narrow streets surrounding it.
Another highlight among the island's attractions is the town of Lindos, located on the coast of St. Paul's Bay. This city is a complex labyrinth of narrow streets, over which the ancient Greek acropolis proudly rises. For the convenience of tourists, transportation is organized with the help of cute donkeys.
Some of the must-see places on the island include Petaloudes, known as the Valley of the Butterflies, the sacred monastery of Tsambika, the beautiful headland of Prasonisi, where the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet - a place that is often described as “the kiss of two seas”. Also worth visiting are the ruins of the castles of Monolithos, Archangelos and Kritinia, Mussolini's forgotten villa and the vibrant artist village of Fanes.
Kefalonia
Islands located to the west of mainland Greece generally have a more favorable climate compared to those located to the east. They are greener and not as hot. Zakynthos with its famous Navagio Bay and Corfu have long been favorite holiday destinations for many tourists, but Kefalonia, which is located a little to the south, is still waiting for its explorers. Caves of incredible beauty, half-abandoned mountain monasteries, cozy taverns with tables right by the water, wild beaches with emerald water, where you can be alone with nature... And of course, one cannot fail to mention Myrtos, which has been recognized on the Internet for many years as the best beach in Greece. In general, Kefalonia is one of the few places in Greece that has not yet been affected by mass tourism.
It is important to note that in close proximity to Cephalonia is the island of Ithaca, known as the birthplace of the mythical Odysseus. It is generally agreed that every Greek should visit this island at least once in his life, just as a Muslim should make a pilgrimage to Mecca. For those who are interested in the works of Homer and ancient Greek history, a visit to this island will be especially interesting: here you can see the ruins of the palace of Odysseus and Penelope, as well as the cave of Loisa, where, according to legend, the king of Ithaca hid gifts received from the Phaeacians. The ferry crossing from Kefalonia to Ithaca takes only twenty minutes.
Skopelos and Skiathos
These two nearby islands are part of the Northern Sporades archipelago. They have always attracted Europeans who value a quality summer holiday, but after the release of the musical Mamma Mia to the tunes of ABBA, their fame increased almost to the level of the very famous Santorini. Most of the scenes were filmed on Skopelos, although the island’s name in the movie was the fictitious Kalokairi. Touring the musical's filming locations is the most popular activity on the island, although there are plenty of other things which can be interesting to you.
Skopelos is famous for its ancient churches and chapels - there are about 400 of them on the island. The Temple of Agios Athanasios, located on the top of a cliff above a picturesque bay and built in the 11th century, is the symbol of the island. If you want to visit these islands, it is better to live on Skopelos, while Skiathos is ideal for day trips. By the way, in 2019, the famous American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler recognized the beaches of Skiathos as the best in the world.
Hydra
Hydra is an island that is perfect for an idyllic holiday. Often the first letter is excluded from its name to avoid unwanted associations. Thanks to its location close to Athens (just two hours from the port of Piraeus), Hydra has become a popular choice for those looking to enjoy island life without straying too far from the cities. This island is one of the few in Greece where car traffic is prohibited, so movement here is only possible on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn transport.
Leonard Cohen, a famous songwriter, purchased a house in Hydra early in his career and lived in it for several years. Here he created his most famous work - the song "Hallelujah", although this, of course, is not his only creation. The street where his house was located now bears his name. Despite the fact that there are not many attractions on the island, people visit it not for their sake, but to enjoy the uniquely calm and cozy atmosphere, which is maintained by the absence of car traffic on the island.
Samos
This green island, located on the edge of the Aegean Sea, is home to coniferous forests, olive groves, citrus plantations and fruit-bearing vineyards, and hides the myths and history of Greece. It was here that the goddess Hera, the wife of Zeus, was born, as well as the famous astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, who first proposed the theory of the rotation of the Earth. The great mathematician Pythagoras was also born here. And in just an hour and a half by ferry you can reach the cozy Turkish town of Kusadasi, the shores of which are visible from the coast with the naked eye.
The island of Samos, rich in archaeological finds and historical monuments, is waiting to be explored. Among the many interesting places are the ruins of the Wall of Polycrates, the Ancient Theater, the Roman Baths, the Eupalina Tunnel and, of course, the famous Temple of Hera - Heroon. According to legend, it was here that the goddess Hera came into the world and spent her childhood. This temple is one of the largest and most impressive temple buildings of antiquity, which had the right to provide refuge.
Try to visit several Greek islands, get acquainted with the flavor and features of each of them and share your impressions of the trip with your loved ones without waiting to return home. With fedafone you will always be in touch, even in the most remote places!
