• Day 1 Athens - Hydra
(38 miles)
• Day 2 Hydra - Spetses
(17 miles)
• Day 3 Spetses - Kyparissi
- Gerakas
(28 miles)
• Day 4 Gerakas - Monemvasia
(9 miles)
• Day 5 Monemvasia -
Maleas - Kithira
(29 miles)
• Day 6 Kithira
• Day 7 Kithira - Andikithira
(30 miles)
• Day 8 Andikithira -
Hania
(41 miles)
EMBARKATION: ATHENS
DISEMBARKATION: HANIA
HYDRA is mountainous, arid and devoid of vegetation.
In 1821 it was the first island to pledge its sizeable fleet to the Greek
cause. It has been said that but for the Hydriot fleet and sailors, the
War of Independence against the Turks would not have been won. Hydra is
a fashionable resort for the rich and famous. The town remains architecturally
very much of the 18th and 19th centuries with large stately houses built
around the natural amphitheatre above the harbour. The total lack of vehicles
adds to the atmosphere.
SPETSES is mostly covered by pine trees. The attractive town is
popular with tourists and Athenians alike. The old harbour and environs
with many grand old houses is a wonderful place to wander around. The
local yards build the Spetses caique which is considered to be among the
best in Greece. John Fowles' novel "The Magus" is set on the island. In
September a small caique rigged out as an old trader is set on fire to
commemorate the revolt against the Turks. This is accompanied by a noisy
fireworks display and much merriment.
KYPARISSI
is a large bay along the coast of the Eastern Peloponnese. The village
itself is quite unspoilt and the bay surrounded by mountains, a spectacular
spot.
GERAKAS is a small hamlet surrounded by the hostile mountains of
the Parnon, hardly touched by outside influences. The entrance is almost
invisible hidden between the high cliffs. On the summit of the entrance
is an extensive ruined acropolis, probably of Mycenaean origin. In the
hot afternoon sun, out of the cooling touch of the meltemi, the whole
hamlet snoozes until the cool of evening when things come to life again.
MONEMVASIA island was called Minoa in ancient times suggesting
a Cretan influence. The humpbacked island, likened to a little Gibraltar,
is connected to the Peloponnese by a causeway. The old fortified village
is of Byzantine origin although the Venetians rebuilt much of it. There
are a number of interesting churches in the village, but to get to the
best of them, Agia Sofia, you have to climb up the zig-zag path behind
the village to the summit. The fortified path and tunnel into the fort
with its iron gates still intact, is as impressive as the fortification
at the top.
KITHIRA and ANDIKITHIRA form an island bridge between the
Peleponnese and Crete. The island have played an important part as stepping-stones
on the ancient trade routes. On Kithira, a small village - a Minoan trading
post - has been excavated. The ancient goddess Aphrodite was born here.
This quiet island remains a comparatively untouched spot. Andikithira,
a pitted rocky island rising sheer from the sea is inhabited by a few
hardy souls. Early this century, a wreck of the 1st century B.C. was discovered
near the island and a number of valuable bronze and marble statues that
were recovered are now displayed in the National Museum in Athens.
HANIA was for centuries the capital of Crete and was only recently
demoted in favour of Iraklion. The Venetian city around the harbour is
a fascinating place - cobbled streets, imposing Venetian houses, mosques
and minarets, and the market. The lighthouse on the mole is of Venetian-Turkish
origin. The city exists with modern additions and a bustling, busy life
to it.
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