Guess what. A Greek Oddity recently turned fifteen years old! It began life on Blogger, migrated to Posterous, which then became Posthaven. Eventually, I threw myself into the confusing world of WordPress where I fumbled my way through to creating something that almost resembled a website. It’s not perfect. It’s not slick. But neither am…
I’ve thrown myself into a frenzy of projects since reaching retirement age. The latest? Building an Android app for independent travellers to Greece. Plan Your Greece is now on Google Play.
Ask anyone how to get from A to B in Greece and the answer is almost always the same: hire a car. But after thirty years of travelling Greece by bus, ferry, and Shanks’s Pony, I’d argue it’s not always the only option — or even the best one. And I say this as someone who once wheel-spun a Suzuki Celerio into a rut on Lipsi while a man on a digger watched and smoked his cigarette.
Ermioni is a small harbour town on the eastern Peloponnese, often overlooked in favour of nearby islands like Hydra and Spetses. But this working town, set on a narrow peninsula with two contrasting harbours, offers something different — a slower pace, a sense of place, and easy access to both the mainland and the Saronic islands. After leaving Spetses, I spent two nights in Ermioni to see what lay beyond the obvious — and found far more than expected.
Spetses challenged my expectations. What I assumed might be a polished and upmarket Greek island turned out to be far more balanced, with character, culture and a sense of authenticity that is easy to miss at first glance. Visiting in October, I extended my stay, explored the architecture of Spetses Town, navigated a few mixed dining experiences, and discovered an island shaped as much by history as by reinvention. This is my honest review of Spetses, and why it left a lasting impression.
On the far western edge of Lesvos, Sigri revealed itself slowly. Over four peaceful nights, wandering volcanic landscapes, exploring the Petrified Forest and settling into village life, Sigri became a place of stillness rather than spectacle.
After further reflection, I realised that Skala Eresou had given me the space to rest, recalibrate, and the time to figure out the direction of travel — literally — and in that sense, it was mission accomplished. It was now time to move on, and I decided to head north-west to Sigri, drawn by the quiet contrasts and small curiosities that make Lesvos such a rewarding island to explore.
A slow, reflective walk through Mytilini — its harbour, architecture, monuments and hidden corners — taken at a moment of transition before deciding what comes next on Lesvos.
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.
Trying to leave Marmara Adası and reach Çanakkale turns into a lesson in uncertain ferry schedules, guesswork and how travel really works in this part of Turkey.
A final day on Marmara Adası, taking in the island’s atmosphere and reflecting on the experience before moving on.
A visit to Çınarlı on Marmara Adası, exploring its plane trees, promenade and relaxed village life away from the main town.
