Hydra
Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 4:31 pm
The major Greek newspaper TA NEA had a special feature on Hydra this Friday. I have made a translation for the friends the friends who will go there for the June meetup.
Demetris
Νοte: The English-language newspaper “Athens News” also had some time ago an extensive special feature on Hydra. I am reposting the links for those two articles here:
i)Literary lions and lines of Hydra
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens ... =1&eidos=S
ii) Island of anomalies and artists
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens ... =1&eidos=S
Holidays
Hydra
A cosmopolitan breath
by OLGA HARAMI
ΤΑ ΝΕΑ , 13/05/2005
For the Greek text and some pictures of Hydra see here:
http://ta-nea.dolnet.gr/print_article.p ... m=N30&aa=1
Famous restaurants and cafeterias, hang-outs of international celebrities, old mansions, naval tradition of centuries, unique scenic images, in a distance of a…few minutes from Piraeus port, an incredible attraction for those who know it, an addiction for those that loved it. All the above for a mini island with maxi pleasures. Its name Hydra…
It looks like an elongated piece of earth that was cut off the coasts of Peloponnese and went his own way in the Argosaronic gulf. There is something that attracts you in Hydra like a magnet. It’s not accidental that so many celebrities and artists from all over the world visit it and like it so much.
Thousands of tourists submerge there daily and its tourist infrastructure is exceptional but at the same time, in the lilliputian extent of its 48 square kilometers manages to offer calmness for those who search for it. Hydra’s atmosphere is mind blowing. The picturesque harbor and the view from the hill above, the sunset, the old mansions. The creeks and the paved with slabs slip roads for endless strolls. And when the night falls, nightlife starts either for spree at the bars or for romantic dinners at quiet restaurants. Choose in what way you want to experience Hydra and let yourselves to a magic weekend
Hydrian hang-outsThe harbor of Hydra and the surroundings are full of cafeterias and bars. Some of them however have a special history after all the years that have passed and the… celebrities that turned them into their hang –out places. Starting with the sweetshop of the previous century, "Tsagkaris with the splendid almond sweets and going to cafe "Tasos " where Leonard Cohen is a client since the decade of 60’s.
(Note: I believe that nowadays, when he is on the island, he prefers the “Pirate” bar. At least that is where I met some of his old friends the last time I was on Hydra.)
Next is the famous "Pirate ", the bar for the cruiser owners and not only! Many of its clients are big Greek businessmen. Alexis Mardas and Joan Collins loved it also. And how we could omit the most famous of all, the beloved by many celebrities "Lagoudera " nightclub. Grace Kelly - Prince Rainier of Monaco, Melina Merkouri - Jules Dassin, Theodoros Roubanis - Sara Churchill, Onasis – Jackie Kennedy are some of the famous pairs that enjoyed themselves not a few times in "Lagoudera» since the ‘50s. And if you are looking for the current “jeune premiers”', young actors, top models etc you will find them hanging around in "Isalos".
What to see
* Zastano. The tall, abrupt rock that falls down into the sea is between the modern Palamida's careenage and the little gulf of St. Cyprian.
* Taking a walk along the northern coastline of Hydra in company of a local. From Kaminia (note: Leonard’s house is there, in the area that is called by the locals “Kaminia”) to Vlyhos beach and from there to Molos you will see the villas-mansions, you will learn to whom they belong and you will be impressed since even the little rocky islands are private!
* The enormous mansion by the sea in Molos that looks like an old monastery.
* The northern coastline of the island that offers exquisite views. This is of course for those who like hiking. The most desirable destinations are Episcope and the monastery of Prophet Elias.
· The historical museum on the harbor.
Note:Another place to visit is Bisti, a crystal clear water beach for swimming and relaxation.. There are little boats that make the trip to Bisti daily from Hydra’s harbour. Don’t miss it!
How to go
There are many boats and speedboats from and to Hydra, more than 10 daily, and even more in the weekends. Most of them leave from Zea's port. It takes roughly 1 hour and the 40min for the speedboats and roughly 3 hours for the slow boats. For reservations and information call 210-4199.200. There is also at least two κρουαζιερόπλοια full of tourists daily that tour the islands of Argosaronic gulf. Calculate that during the summer months about 2.500 individuals pass each day from Hydra. Do not think of taking your car with you because firstly it is not allowed and secondly you won’t need it. If you want to get to know the real Hydra and not just the tourist quay area you have to get ready for walking. Characteristically, from the harbor you can go to Mandraki (in 20 min), to Kaminia (15 '), to Vlyhos with the stone arched bridge (30') while for the more fit the monastery of Pr. Elias (90 ') is recommended, the Episcope (2 hours) and the Zourvas monastery (2½ hours) close to the homonym lighthouse. For swimming we recommend Mandraki, Vlyhos and the sand beach at Ljmnioniza in the southern side that takes 90 min of walking to reach.
Accommodation
The offered beds are plenty and you can find the room you like with services analogous to the sum of money that you will pay. The following hotels are mentioned indicatively:
Bratsera (Mandraki) 22980-53971
Miranda 22980-52230
Nefeli 22980-53297
Orloff 22980-52564
Mpoya'gja 22980-52869
Food
Hydra is not a gourmet paradise, but you can find almost whatever you like, and mainly fresh, but at the same time expensive fish. Very good are the taverns "Anita" and "Geitoniko" with cooked dishes. For fish in the exceptional "Moita" or in the "Sunset". For Italian cuisine in "Hydrargyros" while a good fish-tavern at Kaminia is "Christina". Ouzo selling restaurant and taverns you will also find at Mandraki and Vlyhos.
.
Demetris
Νοte: The English-language newspaper “Athens News” also had some time ago an extensive special feature on Hydra. I am reposting the links for those two articles here:
i)Literary lions and lines of Hydra
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens ... =1&eidos=S
ii) Island of anomalies and artists
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens ... =1&eidos=S
Holidays
Hydra
A cosmopolitan breath
by OLGA HARAMI
ΤΑ ΝΕΑ , 13/05/2005
For the Greek text and some pictures of Hydra see here:
http://ta-nea.dolnet.gr/print_article.p ... m=N30&aa=1
Famous restaurants and cafeterias, hang-outs of international celebrities, old mansions, naval tradition of centuries, unique scenic images, in a distance of a…few minutes from Piraeus port, an incredible attraction for those who know it, an addiction for those that loved it. All the above for a mini island with maxi pleasures. Its name Hydra…
It looks like an elongated piece of earth that was cut off the coasts of Peloponnese and went his own way in the Argosaronic gulf. There is something that attracts you in Hydra like a magnet. It’s not accidental that so many celebrities and artists from all over the world visit it and like it so much.
Thousands of tourists submerge there daily and its tourist infrastructure is exceptional but at the same time, in the lilliputian extent of its 48 square kilometers manages to offer calmness for those who search for it. Hydra’s atmosphere is mind blowing. The picturesque harbor and the view from the hill above, the sunset, the old mansions. The creeks and the paved with slabs slip roads for endless strolls. And when the night falls, nightlife starts either for spree at the bars or for romantic dinners at quiet restaurants. Choose in what way you want to experience Hydra and let yourselves to a magic weekend
Hydrian hang-outsThe harbor of Hydra and the surroundings are full of cafeterias and bars. Some of them however have a special history after all the years that have passed and the… celebrities that turned them into their hang –out places. Starting with the sweetshop of the previous century, "Tsagkaris with the splendid almond sweets and going to cafe "Tasos " where Leonard Cohen is a client since the decade of 60’s.
(Note: I believe that nowadays, when he is on the island, he prefers the “Pirate” bar. At least that is where I met some of his old friends the last time I was on Hydra.)
Next is the famous "Pirate ", the bar for the cruiser owners and not only! Many of its clients are big Greek businessmen. Alexis Mardas and Joan Collins loved it also. And how we could omit the most famous of all, the beloved by many celebrities "Lagoudera " nightclub. Grace Kelly - Prince Rainier of Monaco, Melina Merkouri - Jules Dassin, Theodoros Roubanis - Sara Churchill, Onasis – Jackie Kennedy are some of the famous pairs that enjoyed themselves not a few times in "Lagoudera» since the ‘50s. And if you are looking for the current “jeune premiers”', young actors, top models etc you will find them hanging around in "Isalos".
What to see
* Zastano. The tall, abrupt rock that falls down into the sea is between the modern Palamida's careenage and the little gulf of St. Cyprian.
* Taking a walk along the northern coastline of Hydra in company of a local. From Kaminia (note: Leonard’s house is there, in the area that is called by the locals “Kaminia”) to Vlyhos beach and from there to Molos you will see the villas-mansions, you will learn to whom they belong and you will be impressed since even the little rocky islands are private!
* The enormous mansion by the sea in Molos that looks like an old monastery.
* The northern coastline of the island that offers exquisite views. This is of course for those who like hiking. The most desirable destinations are Episcope and the monastery of Prophet Elias.
· The historical museum on the harbor.
Note:Another place to visit is Bisti, a crystal clear water beach for swimming and relaxation.. There are little boats that make the trip to Bisti daily from Hydra’s harbour. Don’t miss it!
How to go
There are many boats and speedboats from and to Hydra, more than 10 daily, and even more in the weekends. Most of them leave from Zea's port. It takes roughly 1 hour and the 40min for the speedboats and roughly 3 hours for the slow boats. For reservations and information call 210-4199.200. There is also at least two κρουαζιερόπλοια full of tourists daily that tour the islands of Argosaronic gulf. Calculate that during the summer months about 2.500 individuals pass each day from Hydra. Do not think of taking your car with you because firstly it is not allowed and secondly you won’t need it. If you want to get to know the real Hydra and not just the tourist quay area you have to get ready for walking. Characteristically, from the harbor you can go to Mandraki (in 20 min), to Kaminia (15 '), to Vlyhos with the stone arched bridge (30') while for the more fit the monastery of Pr. Elias (90 ') is recommended, the Episcope (2 hours) and the Zourvas monastery (2½ hours) close to the homonym lighthouse. For swimming we recommend Mandraki, Vlyhos and the sand beach at Ljmnioniza in the southern side that takes 90 min of walking to reach.
Accommodation
The offered beds are plenty and you can find the room you like with services analogous to the sum of money that you will pay. The following hotels are mentioned indicatively:
Bratsera (Mandraki) 22980-53971
Miranda 22980-52230
Nefeli 22980-53297
Orloff 22980-52564
Mpoya'gja 22980-52869
Food
Hydra is not a gourmet paradise, but you can find almost whatever you like, and mainly fresh, but at the same time expensive fish. Very good are the taverns "Anita" and "Geitoniko" with cooked dishes. For fish in the exceptional "Moita" or in the "Sunset". For Italian cuisine in "Hydrargyros" while a good fish-tavern at Kaminia is "Christina". Ouzo selling restaurant and taverns you will also find at Mandraki and Vlyhos.
.
Sinikka 
).
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