A day away from Athens: far or near the Greek capital
The new National roads have made getting out of Athens’ center easy and fast. On a day in the nearby countryside, there is much to see and enjoy, from antiquities to wineries to modern art Museums to islands. A respite from the crowds and summer heat, is certain to be welcome.
Peloponnese > One of my favorite day [...]
Travel to Hydra island for the ouzo’s charm
The Greek island of Hydra lies about 35 nautical miles from the main port of Piraeus. Many things make the island unique in today’s modern world. No wheeled vehicles of any sort are allowed, and that includes bicycles and skateboards.
Donkeys and ponies are the only form of transport, apart from four trucks used by the Hydra [...]
Salamina island is so near to Athens yet is so unknown
Just a short voyage from Perama, once it was a summer resort for the rich from Piraeus, but the fish is still cheap and the air is clean.
As the ferry boat approaches Paloukia, the port on the island of Salamina, just a short voyage across the strait from Perama on the mainland, the first landmark [...]
Greece’s Saronic Gulf is perfect for sailing
The Saronic Gulf, which is also known as the Gulf of Aegina, is a division of the Aegean Sea. It is a yacht charter area in Greece with harbors in both Magara and Piraeus.
It is located in the country’s southern region and is flanked by Peloponnese and Attica. The Corinth Canal links the Saronic [...]
The courtyard gardens of Hydra
Island’s water shortage no problem for inventive gardeners growing drought-tolerant plants. Images of the island of Hydra’s beautifully preserved old sea captains’ houses are famous, but not many people get a chance to glimpse what lies tucked away behind the high walls surrounding them. Although the island is “dry”, most water has to be shipped [...]
Saronikos for island-hoppers
The majestic Saronic Gulf, between Attica and the Peloponnese, is scattered with islands, including four of the most distinctive: Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, all linked by frequent ferries and hydrofoils.
An island of faded neoclassical grandeur, Aegina is celebrated for pistachios and the lovely Temple of Aphaia (tel 22970 32398), which dates from the [...]
Day trips from Athens > short or long
There are lots of places near Athens close enough so that visitors can make a day trip from the metropolis for the sightseeing but still enjoy all the trappings of a real beach vacation.
Athens is in the prefecture of Attica, where towns along the coastal road such as Voula, Vouliagmeni and Lagonissi are practically suburbs [...]
Greek Yachting > Saronic Gulf Islands
I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing more magical than the Greek islands, from being on a luxury yacht gliding around the Aegean Sea to bumping along the rocky roads on a moped.
You will sail for an average of three to five hours a day, depending on how many things passengers wish to see, [...]
Greek Islands and other favorite places
Greek Islands and other favorite places, by Eugene Aubrey Stratton, author of “FIT FOR FATE: A TALE OF BYZANTINE INTRIGUE IN MODERN ATHENS”
British writer Lawrence Durrell in one of his books coined the word “islamania” to describe the love many people have for islands. He himself was an islamanic, and I, too, share that love. [...]
Saronic islands lure home hunters
Aegina, Spetses and Hydra are the focus of buying interest thanks to their proximity to the Greek capital
As the Attica coastline turns into a main residence zone, holiday house buyers increasingly opt for the islands of the Saronic Gulf. The short distance from Piraeus port renders the islands of Aegina, Spetses and Hydra particularly attractive as [...]
