Astypalea, Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Astypalea (or Astypalaia), with its whitewashed sugar cube house, narrow alleys and windmills, has a more Cycladic character than Dodecanesean where it belongs. Astypalea is a butterfly-shaped island; a narrow isthmus a mere 100 meters wide connecting its two wings, with citrus groves and decent mountainous walking country.

General Information
This most western of the Dodecannese has had many names: Ichthyoessa (abundant in fish) in ancient times; Stampalia or Astropalia, as the locals call it today. The name Astipalea means “old city”.
A mountainous island with an indented coastline concealing numerous delightful coves, Astipalea in fact resembles two islands joined by a ribbon of land only 100 metres wide.

The main village is Hora or Astypalea, built up the side of a steep hill, and presided over by the massive, austere remains of a Venetian castle. Its small,
square houses, painted white with brightly coloured doors and windows, follow the contours of the hill in an almost unbroken band down to the sea. So closely are they packed, that the walls of the uppermost houses form part of the outer fortifications of the castle. According to tradition, Kleomedes -an Olympian boxer- was the island's most famous citizen in antiquity, as he killed in the 71st Olympiad a competitor with a foul blow. He came home so enraged that he demolished the local school, killing all its pupils.

A row of windmills on the pass of the hill provides an additional picturesque
note. One enters the castle from the southwest side of the hill. Inside it are two churches, dedicated to St. George and to the Annunciation (Evangelismos). The former contains a noteworthy carved iconostasis.
Below the castle stands the 18th century church of Our Lady Portaitissa, one of the most beautiful in the Dodecanese. It too has an impressive iconostasis, covered with gold leaf.
Livadia, Analipsi and Vathi are charming fishing hamlets on the south and north coast of the island.

Sightseeing 
In Hora there is a small archeological museum, a few interesting churches and a citadel. The remains of a Roman Villa are to be seen in the village Maltezana (Analipsis). Here, there is also a monument over the perished crew of the French ship Bison that sunk in 1827. In Vathi you can visit the Cave of the Dragon, Dracospilia.

Beaches
Beautiful beaches can be found all around the island for visitors to enjoy. Pera
Yialos, Livadi (with sand and pebbles), Tzanaki, Moura, Pappou and Agios
Konstantinos are some of them while there are more remote beaches at Vatses, Kaminakia, Panormos and Agios Ioannis and Pachia Ammos (accessible by boat).
Moreover, there are also outstanding beaches at Marmari, Schinondas, Karekli, Vrysi, Plakes (a rocky beach), Steno and Psili Ammos.

Useful Information
How to get there
By air from Athens
Olympic Airways: +30 2103550500 
By sea from Pireaus
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22430
Municipality: 61217, 61206
Police: 61207
Port Authority: 61208
Olympic Airways: 61410, 61665 (airport), 61588 (tickets)
Health Center: 61222

http://www.astypalaia.gr

Small Cyclades

In brief
Small Cyclades is a group of small island south and west to Naxos Island; Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissia, Keros, Antikeros, Daskalio, Donoussa. Koufonisia (Pano Koufonisi) is a tiny island with excellent beaches and attracts lots of visitors, Schinoussa is very quiet, Iraklia is quiet with some nice beaches and Donoussa is the most remote from the group and it has fantastic beaches and it is very quiet too. .

General Information
The Small Cyclades consist of nine islets situated south of Naxos, between Amorgos and Ios. The complex consists of Iraklia, Schinoussa, Donoussa, Koufonissia, Keros, Antikeros, Drima, Makaries, Daskalio and Agios Ioannis. Only four islets are currently inhabited; Iraklia, Ano Koufonisi, Schinoussa and Donoussa. 

Iraklia has a surface area of 19 sq. km and rocky ground with bushes and cedars, while its highest peak is Papas (419 m.). The locals, residing in the two settlements of the island, are occupied with fishing. 

Donoussa, situated on the northeastern part of the complex, has four settlements. In the "Fokospilia" (cave for seals) there is a flock of seals living there today. 

Schinoussa has a total surface area of 9 sq. km and one settlement. 

In Koufonisia swarms of tourists come to swim in the beautiful sea. Kato Koufonissi has a surface area of 4.3 sq. km, Pano Koufonissi has one of 3.8 sq. km and the canal between them is 200 m. wide. 

The climate in the Small Cyclades is dry and summers are cool. The cultivation is limited to early garden products and fruits, adequate only for local consumption.
These small and beautiful islands, few of which have any amenities, are an ideal destination for those in search of solitude and peace. The rugged beauty of the barren landscape, the sea-lashed rocks, the little coves along the coastline, a chance to get away from the crowds and the culture of technology – these are the charms which attract visitors to these virtually virgin islands.

Archeological excavations have shown that the islands were inhabited in prehistoric times.
In Iraklia, where there is a cave (Agios Ioannis) with superb stalactites, traces of the Cycladic civilisation have been found.
At the pretty harbour of Messaria on Schinoussa, there are ruins of medieval fortifications.
At Koufonisia, the remains of buildings from the Hellenistic and Roman periods have come to light.
Keros has yielded the remains of settlements from the Early Cycladic period, together with archeological finds of the same date which are considered among the finest anywhere in the Cyclades.
Donoussa, too, with its incomparable beaches, has traces of prehistoric habitation.

The four of the nine islets of the small Cyclades preserve the typical Cycladic style in their settlements. The white houses with blue doors and the wooden, painted balconies are decorated with red geraniums. The houses are joined with the narrow slate alleys, which are frequently whitewashed by housewives. Tourism has not yet altered the remote islets of the complex, which preserve the Cycladic tradition on every occasion. 

Like all people of the Cyclades, the locals love dances and all-night feasts, and the religious celebrations are the ideal occasions for fun. The feasts of the Virgin Mary (August 15th), Agios Georgios (April 23rd) have special, fertile character. The islanders, after going to church, set big tables to participate in the feast from a contribution of "panigiras" (the person who accepts financial responsibility), appointed by the Saint, every year. In Koufonissia, on the day of St George, there is a litany of his icon and fire works, followed by a free meal and wine, offered to all attendants. The feast ends with local dances, danced by every inhabitant.

Things to taste & buy

The tavernas on the small Cyclades offer all kinds of seafood and local dishes. The seaside tavernas in Koufonisia serve "Kakavia" with wine or ouzo, while the ouzo-shops in Iraklia and Donoussa are known for snacks prepared especially for ouzo.
On the islets of the small Cyclades, one can buy local products of excellent quality. The best known are the local products of Iraklia, such as "myzethra" (the famous local cheese) and fresh honey.

Serifos, Cyclades Islands

In brief
Serifos is an island gem with numerous sandy beaches and a beautiful capital perched on the top of a steep hill. The rocky coastline is deeply indented with an alteration of coves and bays. The island has a unique atmosphere and attracts an increasing number of visitors.

General Information
Bare, undulating hills interspersed with small, fertile valleys cover this picturesque island. The rocky coastline is deeply indented with a succession of coves and bays.
According to mythology, Serifos was the home to the hero Perseus who cut off the head of the mermaid (gorgon) Medusa - the only mortal of the three mermaid sisters who had living snakes for hair and glance which turned men to stone. Curious rock formations resemble human figures that call this myth to the mind -the prehistoric inhabitants of the island that had been turned to stone.

Ferries call at Livadi, the sheltered port on the eastern side of the island, where there is a long, horseshoe-shaped sandy beach.

Perched on the top of a steep hill, Hora or Serifos, the main town of the island, with its little cube-shaped houses and churches in the island style, with its Venetian castle above, looks like a fairytale town.
The fortress-like monastery of the Archangels (Moni Taxiarhon), near the village of Galani, which houses some fine wall-paintings and important books and manuscripts, is of special interest.
The village of Panagia (which takes its name – meaning “Our Lady” – from the dedication of a fine 10th century church) commands a panoramic view of the whole island.
However, it is a charm all of its own, something in the unique “atmosphere” of the island, which attracts an ever-increasing number of visitors from Greece and abroad.

Sightseeing
The capital, Ηora, has an ancient citadel, which has been used through history to protect the locals from pirates and foreign invaders. Here, there is also an archaeological museum and a church from the 18th century.
The monastery Taxiarchon is not open for the public, but is quite impressive even from outside. It dates back to the 16th century.

Beaches

Magnificent beaches such as Mega Livadi, Koutalas, Agios Sostis, Psili Amos, Agios Ioannis, Sikamia can be found all around the island.

Useful Information

(Area 73 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus 70 nautical miles)
How to get there
By sea from Piraeus
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22810
Municipal Office: 51210
Police: 51300
Port Authority: 51470
Health Center: 51202

http://www.serifos.gr