Breakfast Bliss and a Beach Day on Bozcaada: Ayazma Beach & More Village Explorations
A slow, sun-soaked day on Bozcaada with a breakfast feast, a curious little monastery, the golden sands of Ayazma Beach and a relaxed wander through the village.
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(Trying) to Leave Marmara Adasi and Get to Canakkale
So, we had this half-baked plan to catch the 1100am boat from Marmara Adasi to Narli on the mainland. From here we could take a dolmus (we think) or taxi to the town of Bandirma, from where we could catch one of the Kamil Koc coaches to Canakkale, taking 5-6 hours. Bahar had made some…
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Final Day on Marmara Adasi
We had well and truly been accepted into the bosom of our hosts at the Adasu Hotel. The breakfasts were phenomenal, and the hospitality we received here was even more so. One morning, I had to catch up on some emails, so Peter sat in the beautiful flower-filled garden, soaking up the sun. Before he…
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Visiting Çınarlı – the Village of Plane Trees and Springs
After another amazing breakfast at the Adasu Hotel, we hopped on the minibus but this time headed west of Marmara town to the village of Çınarlı . The bus dropped us off in a square lined with huge plane trees. One particularly fine specimen, clearly the daddy of all the Çınarlı plane trees is vast,…
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Visiting Asmali – Hunting for Greek Houses
Marmara Adasi has four villages – Çınarlı, Topağaç, Asmalı, and Gündoğdu. Also in the north east of the island is the town of Saraylar, which is the centre of the marble production industry of the island. The bus service will get us to all of these villages so we plucked one out of the hat…
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A Spin Around Vathy and Leaving Meganisi
With 7 crossings between Meganisi and Nidri running from early doors until 1830 every day, we had time to go and visit Vathy before leaving for Lefkada. I messaged our host and asked if it would be OK to leave our cases in the apartment and he replied in the affirmative. If they should get…
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Leaving Ithaca and a Taste of Meganisi
Before returning to the apartment to pack, we collared a taxi driver in Vathy’s main square and arranged for him to take us to the port the following morning. After completing the tedious deed of re-packing, we sat on the balcony soaking up the view over Vathy for one last time. Tonight, the town was…
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Ithaca – a Whistle Stop Tour of the North
Today we have arranged a tour of the north of the island booked with Ithaca Travel. After grabbing a bougatsa from the bakery, we made our way to the office to wait for our guide. Stefania looked a little flustered that morning. It was almost like she’d forgotten we’d booked a tour, even though it…
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Walking to Dexia (Dexa) Beach – And Breathe ………….
Sunday announced itself with the pealing of bells from across the bay. As soon as a set of chimes from one church ended, another from another direction began. I’d already lost track of the days, but now there was no mistake that the day of worship had arrived. The warm egg-yolk yellow light from the…
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Exploring Vathy – Backstreets and Beyond
No sooner had we unpacked than we were out and ready to explore Vathy. We began by taking an alley one row behind the waterfront, lined with old stone houses. Brightly coloured rugs hung from balconies, gently airing in the breeze. There is just the right mixture of patina and decay, which, of course, adds…
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As You Set Out for Ithaka, Hope Your Road is a Long One…
This morning we leave Kefalonia for Ithaca (or Ithaka if you prefer!). With freshly baked bougatsas in hand, we take the side street next to Fatto a Mano bakery, which brings us directly to the harbour front. Waiting is the ferry Ionio Pelagos, engines thrumming and the faintest whiff of smoke from the funnel. Habitually…
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One Night in Sami – Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
Today marks our final full day on Kefalonia — and I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has flown. We’re trading the bustle of Argostoli for the peaceful charm of Sami, where we’ll spend our last night before moving on. After one last sweep of the lovely Portogal Apartments, we lug our bags downstairs,…
