Introducing
the Island of |
|
|
TOUR INCLUDES:
- 3 nights Deluxe Hotel in Athens
- 5 nights Moderate Hotel in Astipalaia
- Half-day tour of Athens and the Acropolis
- Four (4) transfers in Athens and Astipalaia
- Sightseeing on air conditioned motor coaches
with English speaking professional tour guides
- Entrance fees to all places visited on
included sightseeing tour
- All Hotel service and local taxes are
included
- Add-on fares from home city available
|
9
days/8 nights
Per person in double:
June - August:
$1,399
Sep, Oct - $1,160
Plus Airfare from your home City |
|
Air add-ons from
your airport
|
|
Astipalea
(alias Astropalia) is the most western and the
most remote island of the Dodecanese. The island's surface area is 97 sq. km
while the coasts are 110 km long. Astipalea is divided into two parts, Messa
Nissi and Oxo Nissi, which are joined by a narrow piece of land 100 m. wide.
Most of the 1,000 inhabitants
of Astipalea who live here and, in spite of their solitude, are very hospitable.
The locals, mostly fishermen, are simply, pleasant and polite people who never
hesitate to invite foreigners to the island's feasts. The island is mountainous
-its highest peak being Vardia (482 m.), while on the small plain grow fruit
trees, garden products and vegetables, as well as many walnut trees, watered by
the local springs.
Astipalea,
or Astipalia town, is the island's capital and lies on its southeast side. It is
built on a hillside. Its picturesque houses spread all along the waterfront,
with the imposing castle on the top of the hill. The nicely decorated facades of
the houses, are painted blue and white. The nine windmills are the town's
characteristic feature, and they complement its beauty.
In Astipalea, there is a small
Archaeological Collection housed in "Narkisseios Municipal
Library". One should visit the castle on the top of the hill where the Church
of Panagia Portaitissa also stands, the monasteries of Agios
Ioannis and Agia Livia and the Castle of St
John, also stands: built by Quirini a Venetian family that ruled
Astypalaia between 1207 and 1522.
In Mythology ...
According to one legend,
Astipalea was named after the wife of Neptune. Another legend claims that the
island was named after the sister of Europe (the mother of King Minos). The
island was called "Ichthioessa" in ancient times, because it was a
significant fishing land (fish:ichthis), while it was also called the Altar of
the Gods, as it was fertile, with a lot of flowers. The Venetians called the
island "Stambalia". The first inhabitants of the island were Kares,
while the Cretans later migrated here. From a sign and the dialect from ancient
inhabitants, one concludes that emigrants from Argolida lived here, while other
signs indicate that the island thrived on sailing. Astipalea was the homeland of
the famous athlete, Kleomedes, who, according to myth, defeated an athlete
called Eccos in wrestling in the first Olympian championship, by killing him
with a single punch. The judges took away his Olympic title and forced Kleomedes
to pay a fine, since they did not consider the death of his opponent legal.
Kleomedes, bitter, returned to Astipalea, and demolished the column of a school,
thus causing the death of 60 students. The locals persecuted him by throwing
stones, and Kleomedes sought refuge in the Temple of Athena and locked himself
in a case. When people of Astipalea opened the case, they discovered it was
empty and Pythia told them that Kleomedes was no longer mortal and was to be
honoured as a hero.
Excursions (Trekking):
-
9.5 km to Agios Andreas
-
9 km to Stavros
-
24 km to Vathi
When
winds are too strong in Astypalaia Town, ferries dock in Vathi. Vathi has a
supurb harbour and is a peaceful fishing village.
-
Livadi 2 km from town.
Livadi is a
beautiful picturesque settlement with white traditional houses built on the edge
of a small bay.
The village of Livadi
is situated 3 km south of town, built in a fertile valley full of gardens. The
houses are built on picturesque streets, are clean, with well-preserved gardens
which maintain many elements of traditional architecture. From Livadi, one
should visit the Negri Cave by boat.
The village of Analipsi
was named after the chapel of Analipsi, built at the end of the village. Near
the village stretches the beautiful beach of Maltezana. Analipsi
is also well known as Maltezana after Maltese pirates. It is
the second largest settlement in Astypalaia, a fishing harbor, with a
few beaches accessible around the bay, and it is surrounded by olive groves.
There are some well preserved remains of Roman Baths with zodiac floor
mosaics.
Car rental available,
unlimited kilometers.
A fun morning for all,
after breakfast, a stroll through the center square with its 9 windmills, visit
the imposing Venetian Castle crowning the town of Astipalea
with a stop at the Church of Panagia Portaitisa.
|
| |
|
Itinerary |
| Day |
1 |
To
ATHENS
Depart your City airport, on the flight to
Athens with all meals on
board.
|
| Day |
2 |
ATHENS
- ASTIPALAIA
Arrive in Athens and connect to your short flight to Astipalea. Upon
arrival in Astipalea you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure.
|
| Day |
2
- 6 |
ASTIPALAIA
Five (5) days at leisure in Astipalea.
|
| Day |
7 |
ASTIPALAIA
In the morning after breakfast, you will be met at your hotel and
transferred to the airport for your flight to Athens. In Athens you will be met
and transferred to your hotel in the city. Day at leisure.
|
| Day |
8 |
ATHENS
After breakfast at the hotel, depart on an Athens
city tour which will introduce you to the most important sites of the city. You
will visit the famed Acropolis
with its dominating view, and the site of the renowned Parthenon, one of the
most impressive structures in the world, and the Acropolis
Museum. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in
Athens.
|
| Day |
9 |
ATHENS
Day at leisure in Athens to explore the city on your own; visit the
Flea Market, the fashionable shops at Kolonaki Square and the sidewalk cafes at
Syntagma (Constitution) Square.
|
| Day |
10 |
ATHENS
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight. |
The island of Astipalea
The
breathtaking island of Astipalea is full of wonderful sites and sounds,
introducing you to the diversity of the Aegean islands and culture. We have
found paths and tracks, which will help you discover the secrets of the island
at your leisure. Detailed descriptions of each path and track will guide you to
these enchanting spots, where you you will find your self observing rare
indigenous plants and birds. Exploring the island and its wonders will be an
intriguing daily experience. The hiking areas and folk culture will live you as
bewitched as we are.
AT LEISURE
|
 |
Astipalea offers a wide
range of activities for recreation and entertainment, for visitors of all tastes
and means. This especially goes for
the nightlife since there are a few discos, restaurants, taverns, bars etc. What
is surely worth mentioning is a kind of local tavern specializing in the
traditional Island music and the native folk dancing.
The recent tourist growth of Astipalea has
affected the nightlife of the island. Today, Astipalea has bars and clubs, like
the cosmopolitan disco "Ostria". In Hora, there is a series of bars,
such as "Faros", "Panorama", "Kouros", "La
Louna", "Pondos", "Magani", "Laou-Laou",
"Kastro", "Artemis" and "Alothi".
Astipalea is a remote island, thus not
attracting swarms of tourists. Nevertheless, every visitor here is invited to
the local feasts and splendid celebrations. The most significant feast of the
island takes place on August 15, at the church of Panagia Portaitissa, where the
three-day celebration is organized with municipal competition, the
"Koukania" and the feeding of yogurt, during which the locals,
blind-fold and feed each other with yogurt. The island's cultural council, with
the co-operation of local groups, organizes several events, including theatrical
and musical nights, as well as dances with the traditional costumes of
Astipalea.
FOOD
In Astipalea, at Hora, there are many coffee
shops where one can have breakfast or lunch, such as "Sirocos",
"Phoenix", "Daria" and "Igloo", serving coffee and
juice and offering great view of the picturesque Hora and the Venetian Castle.
For the local traditional sweets, one must visit "Eva's pastry shop".
The island's restaurants and tavernas serve fresh fish and all kinds of seafood,
as well as local cuisine. One must taste the famous "pougia", a
strange tasty combination of cheese-pie made of "kopanisti" with honey
"xerotigana", the local rabbit and "arandista", lentils with
vinegar and paste. The island has many nice tavernas at Pera Gialos, such as
"Babis", "Vaggelis", "Carlos",
"Akrogiali", "Psarros", the "Taverna of Kiki",
"Vicky", "Organakis" and "Galini". In Hora, one
can have fresh fish at "Astroulakis", "Dionissos" and
"Synandissi". A stroll through Livadi could end with dinner at
"Maganas", "Gerami Tsaoussi", "Thomas",
"Stefanida", "Fiorevantes" and "Ippokambos". At
Maltezana, one should eat at "Ovelix" and at "Irini".
SPORTS
The
beautiful little coves of Astipalea draw wind surfing and water-sports lovers.
At the popular beach, Livadia, one can rent canoes and paddle boats.
Although in recent years the fish catch has been diminishing, one can still
catch black fish, rock fish, scorpion fish, bogues, lobsters in Analipsis and
sea breams. Also, one can go hare and partridge hunting, taking into account
their restrictive laws. So get prepared for swimming, mountain climbing (also
organized expeditions), water - skiing, snorkeling, fishing, hunting, car
rental and motorcycles available.
SHOPPING
Expect
to come across a variety of Astipalean goods provoking you
browsing the shops. Authentic island antiques, handicrafts, local honey, wines,
souvenirs, are just some of the memorable merchandise. The island is known for
cheese products especially the cheese "Kopanisti". One can buy cheap
liquor and imported goods from other islands.
At sunset time the town of Astipalea starts
sizzling as a great variety of entertainment activities grows fast until very
early in the morning.
|
Map of Greece
|
Contact
