Monthly Archives: April 2017

The underwater wonders of Kea Island

Kea island is hilly part of the Cyclades. It is located 60 km southeast of the capital Athens. The climate is dry and the terrain is mostly hilly. Therefore the island is less frequented and most people inhabit the Gulf of St. Nicola. The only ferry connections are the neighboring Lavrio and Kitnos, which makes it all the more remote and one of the least visited islands of the Cyclades. The capital is Ûlida which is built amphitheatrically. Apart from the hills and sandy beaches are surrounded with warm and bright blue water. Kea hides its charms with its idyllic landscapes, there are numerous lagoons and secluded beaches, suitable for proponents of the natural environment. There is even a large stone in the shape of lion, which dates from around 600 BC.

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During the classical period Kea has been home to many ancient Greek lyrical poets and the physician Erasistratus. During the Byzantine period was built many churches. In 1204 onwards, the island was captured by the Venetians in the wake of the Fourth Crusade. He joined Greece after the war of independence in 1821.

Kea is famous for its rich marine life. You can enjoy the amazing water diving due to the fresh and clear water with excellent visibility. The temperature is perfect for bathing-ranges from 20 °-26 °. The curious fact is that in 1916 the largest ship HMHS Britannic and RMS Titanic’s twin is sunk in World War I near Kea island. Therefore the diving is more than attractive for divers because they can glimpse the remains of this great ship, as well as the unique paddle from the sunken in 1868 steamer Patris, etc. findings.

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In addition to diving, Kea is attractive for tourists to yachting. Accommodation on the island is extremely diverse and designed for every wish and taste. The settlements have turned into small towns and resorts with whitewashed buildings and houses with tiled roofs. Ypu can rent a room from cheap hostels to luxury five stars hotels.

Amorgos – the Blue Pearl of the Cyclades

organized-yacht-sailing-tours-greece-amorgos-lThe Greek island of Amorgos is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. It is the easternmost of the islands of the Cyclades archipelago, relatively close to Dodecanese archipelago. The island is extracted bauxite representing aluminium ores, sometimes mixed with clay minerals. The capital of the island bears the same name and is in the typical Cycladic style. He is built on a Venetian castle the high of the Hill.

Over the time Amorgos was known by many names as: Patagy, Platagy or Yperia, Pagali, Psichia and Karkisia. On the island there are many remains of ancient civilizations. During archaic Greece existed three independent city-States. It was thought that are included in the autonomous constitutions with the same currency. Amorgos is distinguished by the size and quality of the walls of the ancient towers around the city whose ruins are scattered around the island, ancient tombs, stone tools, vases, inscriptions and other Antiquities.

In the summer of 322 BC is held a great sea battle off the island Amorgos between Macedonians and Athens. The Macedonians with Commander Admiral Cleitus Wise (with 240 ship) defeated the Greeks (with 170 ship) with Commander Ûtion (Euetion).

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The island was conquered during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 by the Venetian family Gizi. In 1260 was taken from Byzantium, but in 1269 family Gizi taking it back. In 1310 the fleet of ionians breaks to the island of Amorgos Turkish fleet of the new Ottoman Empire. From 1370 is run by Venice. Conquered by the Ottomans was in 1537.

At the present time is a wonderful addition to Amorgos tourist resort with numerous beautiful and improved roads, paths and infrastructure. It is renowned for its cinema popularity. The island was included in the movie by Luc Besson-The Big Blue (“endless sinevina”). In the movie you can see footage from the beautiful beach of Agia Anna and the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotica. In 2002 the island also became part of the movie of Giorgos Kordelas – “Ariadni”. Thanks to this cinematic glory Amorgos is visited by a host of curious tourists wanting to experience the magic of the seaside resort.

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The monastery of Panagia is also a favorite place to visit. It is located on a cliff, built at the beginning of the second millennium, in order to protect religious icon from intruders. The icon is of a public display inside the monastery and dates from 812. Other attractions worth a visit is the architectural Museum, which is set out in the Venetian castle and can be found from all over the island. The island is also suitable for water sports enthusiasts due to the wonderful beaches and crystal clear water. A great way to explore the Amorgos is by renting a boat day cruise, to see all the beaches and the charm of the Islands and Gramvusa Nikuriâ.

Kimolos – the island of minerals

Kimolos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It lies on the southwest of the island group of Cyclades near the bigger island of Milos. Kimolos is the administrative center of the municipality of Kimolos, which also includes the uninhabited islands of Polyaigos, Agios Efstathios and Agios Georgios. The island has a land area of 36 square kilometres, while the municipality’s land area is 53.251 square kilometres and it reported a population of 910 inhabitants in the 2011 census.

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Kimolos lies to the northwest of larger Milos island, separated from it by a 1 km wide channel. It is round-shaped, approximately 7 km in radius. The island has a total area of 36 square kilometres. The highest point is mount Paleokastro, at 364 metres. The only town is Chorio, located on a hill on the west of the island. There are also smaller settlements of Psathi port, Goupa, Kara, Prasa, Aliki, Bonatsa and Dekas.

To the east of Kimolos lies the island of Polyaigos, half its size. Polyaigos is the largest uninhabited island of Aegean. It is also part of the municipality of Kimolos.

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Kimolos, Milos and the smaller islands that surround them belong to the Aegean volcanic arc and consist mainly of acidic volcanic rocks. In some places, the pre-volcanic bedrock can be observed. Large areas of Kimolos are covered by tuffs and the volcanic activity can be obvious from the hot springs, existence of a notable geothermal field, the characteristic landscape and strange landforms. The island is also rich in minerals of the silica group and in significant industrial minerals.

One of the most famous geologic formations on Kimolos is Skiadi. Skiadi is a huge mushroom-shaped stone that dominates the middle of a small valley in the interior of the island. It is created by a process called ablation, in which the dust carried by the wind continuously scratches the rock, eroding the softer layers at the bottom much more than the harder layers at the top. Through centuries, the stone has been shaped into a characteristic, unique form.

According to the last censuses, the population of Kimolos is decreasing, and no more than 600 residents (mostly elderly) remain during winter. The underage population is no more than 100, according to the school records. Most of the working population is involved with the tourist industry of the island (hotels, restaurants) in combination with agriculture activities, mainly during winter.

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On the island all vehicles are permitted, but during the summer months, the lack of parking space is the most important problem in populated areas, such as Chorio Kimolou and Psathi. Common kinds of fuels are available at the local fuel station. There are also public means of transport, such as bus and taxi, performing routes to popular beaches.

Kimolos is an island with rich history records. According to tradition, it is named after Kimolos, the very first resident of the island. Since the ancient era, it was a battlefield between Ancient Athens, the ruler of the island, and Sparta, the ruler of Milos. In the Middle Ages it was known as Argentiera, because of the silver-colored rocky lands of its southern coast. Since those times, these rocky lands provided Kimolia Gi-Kimolian Earth, a valuable trade good, which made the island a major trade hub. Along with the rest of Greece, it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire until 1829, when it was annexed by the Greek state along with the rest of the Cyclades.

Poros – beauty with aromate of pine forest and sea breeze

Poros Island is located in the Saronic Gulf and it’s located about 48 kilometers south of Piraeus. It is separated from the Peloponnese by a 200-meter sea channel. It consists of two separate islands – Sferia in the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where is located the present town, and Kalavriya (which means “gentle breeze”) in the northern and largest part. This two islands are connected by a bridge across the narrow strait. The old name of Poros is Pogon and was considered the island of god of the sea Poseidon.

Poros island is attractive with it’s nature vegetation. Much of northern and western sides  are thick, but in the southern and central part there are old pine forest. There are good roads and adequate tourist infrastructure, making it a popular resort for short breaks and entertainment. There is no airport and island is easily accessible from Athens by ferry or boat. There is also a local bus from the port to nearby towns Neorio and Monastir. The small town of the island is built in tiers on the slopes of the hill. Poros is surrounded by 15 beaches which are located on the Aegean coast. Axel is the most famous among them. It is surrounded by pine forests and offers all the necessary conditions for a pleasant holiday. Although there is no transport line, the beach is easily accessible by water.

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In the northeastern part of the island at a place called “Kavos Basil”, archaeologists have found remains of a settlement from the early Bronze Age. This village is the oldest of the wider area of  Peloponnese and is believed to be associated with the remains found on the nearby island of Dokos. Over the years, Poros was under the influence of the Roman and Byzantine Empire. Then he was often attacked by pirates. During the Ottoman rule remains independent. First Greek naval base was established in Poros in 1828 during the Greek Revolution. Then meet ambassadors from different countries to determine the boundaries of a future Greek state, which was established two years later – in 1830.

The island is built in tiers on the slopes of the hill with many neoclassical buildings and interesting sights. The most famous among them is the Clock tower built in 1927. The Archaeological Museum is located in Plaza Korizis where they can meet artifacts and remains of the Sanctuary of Poseidon. The date of construction of the temple with Doric style, not yet specified, although some researchers believe it comes about 520 BC. The temple has six columns on each short side and twelve on each long side.

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In the early 20th century among the main activities of the residents of Poros are agriculture – mainly wheat, grapes and olives, also and farming, fishing and shipping.