All Greece and Greek Island Travel

Summary Post | Thirassia-Anafi-Santorini

Beyond Santorini: Cyclades Island Hopping to Thirassia and Anafi
ByStephanie Banks 4 June 202430 November 2025

11 Day Itinerary –
If you’re planning a trip to the Cyclades and want to go beyond the typical Santorini experience, this Santorini, Thirassia, Anafi itinerary shows you exactly how to do it. You’ll discover how to pair Santorini’s iconic highlights with two quieter islands—Thirassia and Anafi—using easy local ferries, no car hire, and simple logistics. Expect practical tips, timing suggestions, and firsthand insights from my own journey, plus links to detailed daily diaries for deeper research.

Read More Beyond Santorini: Cyclades Island Hopping to Thirassia and Anafi
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Easter on Chios Rouketopolemos – The Rocket Wars
ByStephanie Banks 8 May 20245 September 2024

When we left Chios for Izmir 3 days ago we still didn’t know if Rouketopolemos (also known as the Rocket Wars) would go ahead. The event consists of the rival parishes of St. Mark’s and Panaghia Ereithiani firing thousands of homemade rockets at the church towers of the opposition. This isn’t without its casualties. Nearby properties…

Read More Easter on Chios Rouketopolemos – The Rocket Wars
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Good Friday in Chios Town – Chasing the Epitaphio
ByStephanie Banks 7 May 20244 September 2024

As we sailed back into Chios from Cesme with our haul of bargains we were greeted by a magnificent rainbow over the town. The weather looks a little unpredictable but we just hope it remains dry for the Good Friday processions this evening. It’s a 10 minute walk from the Customs building to our hotel….

Read More Good Friday in Chios Town – Chasing the Epitaphio
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Final Day in Izmir and Back to Chios
ByStephanie Banks 6 May 20243 September 2024

This has certainly been a whirlwind tour of Izmir. Later this afternoon we need to be at the meeting place on Pevzi Pasa Boulevard. Ali had told us that once we’d checked out of our hotel we could take our luggage to a leather shop close to the entrance of the Kemeralti Bazaar. After a…

Read More Final Day in Izmir and Back to Chios
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Izmir Day 2 – Ataturk Museum, Culture and Arts Factory, Kultur Park and the Roman Agora of Smyrna (and more!)
ByStephanie Banks 5 May 202431 August 2024

As the title of this post may imply, we have another action-packed day in-store today. After a more than adequate breakfast at Hotel Marla, we continue our whistle-stop tour of Izmir but this time self-guided. Our first destination is the Ataturk Museum. After walking just a few minutes to the seafront we turn right away…

Read More Izmir Day 2 – Ataturk Museum, Culture and Arts Factory, Kultur Park and the Roman Agora of Smyrna (and more!)
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Izmir – May Day Mayhem Part 2
ByStephanie Banks 4 May 202431 August 2024

I’m not going to lie, running around Izmir for half a day amongst all the craziness of May Day has taken it out of me – or rather my back. I’m in agony but I’m not going to let that defeat me. I throw back a couple of painkillers, shower and change and we head…

Read More Izmir – May Day Mayhem Part 2
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Arrival in Izmir and May Day Mayhem!
ByStephanie Banks 4 May 202430 August 2024

The next leg of our trip will take us to Izmir where we will stay for 2 nights. Although I’m not a history buff, I’ve been interested in recent Greek history and in particular, the events that led up to the great population exchange in 1923. It’s incredible to think that this historical event took…

Read More Arrival in Izmir and May Day Mayhem!
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Leaving Pyrgi – Chios Town and a trip to Anavatos
ByStephanie Banks 3 May 202426 August 2024

This is our last day in Pyrgi and tomorrow we will leave for Chios Town on the 7am bus. There is a method behind the madness of getting up at this ungodly hour. As the Easter holidays approach, I’m mindful that we have to make the most of the bus service before they are suspended….

Read More Leaving Pyrgi – Chios Town and a trip to Anavatos
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

A Tour of To Pounti – A 14th Century Pyrgi Village House
ByStephanie Banks 2 May 202420 August 2024

Yesterday Mr Kosta and his beloved parrot Fidelina arrived back at To Pounti. He had been attending to business at their other house in the north of the island – Mr Kosta and Toula’s house that is! Fidelina as far as I know doesn’t own any property! Fidelina immediately goes into her repertoire of words…

Read More A Tour of To Pounti – A 14th Century Pyrgi Village House
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

A Visit to Mesta
ByStephanie Banks 2 May 202414 August 2024

When travelling in Greece my preference is to use public transport wherever possible. This at times can be challenging and not always for the faint-hearted, but I love it. For me, it’s a gives a more authentic experience than travelling by car. It forces you to walk further and absorb more of the landscape. To…

Read More A Visit to Mesta
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Walking Through the Mastic Plantations
ByStephanie Banks 1 May 202413 August 2024

Today is Sunday and as there isn’t a bus service running today, we plan to stay close to Pyrgi. After another spectacular breakfast prepared by Toula, we head out of Pyrgi village into the mastic plantations close by. We exit this medieval fortified town by the gate on the Western edge of the village. After…

Read More Walking Through the Mastic Plantations
Chios-Izmir-Oinousses-Athens

Chios – Emborios Bay and Mavra Volia Beach
ByStephanie Banks 30 April 202412 August 2024

After our interesting visit to the Chios Mastic Museum, our next destination is Emborios Bay. I’d had a fleeting visit on my last trip to Chios but wanted to explore it further. Our only way to get there is an hour’s walk or by taxi. We chose the easy option and asked the gentleman in…

Read More Chios – Emborios Bay and Mavra Volia Beach

Follow me on my travels