GREECE & CYPRUS DODECANESE ISLANDS DESTINATIONS
ABOVE: Converted windmills, Leros LEFT: Agios Savvas Monastery, Kalymnos FAR LEFT: Windsurfing, Karpathos
two flights a day from Rhodes. Ferries run three times a week from both Piraeus (18 to 19 hours) and Rhodes (five hours), and weekly from Kos (12 hours). What to see: Hiking is popular due to the island’s mountainous terrain, with peaks of up to 1,200m. Water sports are also available. Strong winds, especially off the south coast, make for good windsurfing and kitesurfing and even attract the pros. Scuba diving offers underground
caverns to explore and visibility of up to 20 metres, while those looking for a slice of tradition should visit the mountainous village of Olymbos in the north, where local women still dress in traditional garb. The main port town of Pigadhia has
a two-mile stretch of beach, and some good nightlife. Where to stay: Hotel Alex offers 25 rooms over two floors in landscaped gardens, just under a mile from Pigadhia. It’s walking distance to the beach, and the hotel has a pool. Rates start at €55 a night.
alexhotel.gr
w KALYMNOS Near Kos, but less touristy, Kalymnos attracts visitors year-round. Its prosperity originated from the sponge trade and many shops in the main port town of Pothia still sell sponges. Best for: Hikers and rock climbers, thanks to its mountainous interiors. Getting there: Six weekly flights from Athens to the tiny airport and four ferries a week from Piraeus (nine to 14 hours), plus one or two daily ferries from Rhodes (two to eight hours). What to see: The beaches towards the north of the island are the better ones. Emporios village has a sandy beach and rock-climbing facilities. Alternatively, the tiny island of Telendhos – a half-hour boat trip from the west coast – offers excellent remote sandy bays. There are daily boat excursions to various shingle and sandy bays. The goats that dot the landscape add to the remote Greek island atmosphere. Where to stay: Hotel Apxontiko in Pothia is a small boutique property in a tastefully renovated Venetian mansion. All 10 rooms have balconies with harbour views. From €55 a night.
w LEROS Approach Leros from the sea and it’s hard to miss the windmills that grace its skyline. Italian-style architecture dominates, and it’s a popular destination for small families. The attraction for many is the absence of package tourism. Best for: Low-key tourism and exploring Venetian buildings, the castle and windmills. Getting there: A tiny airport on Leros has one daily flight from Athens and Rhodes, four weekly ferry services from Piraeus (nine to 11 hours) and one or two daily services from Rhodes (four hours). What to see: There’s not a lot on Leros, but there’s a nice beach at Alinda. Car hire is recommended to reach the castle and windmills at the top of the island, and farther beaches of Pandelli on the east coast. Where to stay: Leros Princess in Alinda sits atop a hill and has a pool with sweeping views of the bay. Its 21 suites come with a pool, garden and sea views. From €152 per night.
lerosprincess.com
12 July 2018
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