This morning I will be heading off to Xanthi. My bag is packed and my bus ticket has been purchased – all good to go. As I fling open the curtains to my room I’m taken aback by the sight below me – I’d completely forgotten that today is Saturday – and that means market…
Although it’s 19 years since last in Kavala, the place feels very familiar. There are a couple of landmarks that I want to re-visit, the first being the Lighthouse of Kavala. It sits at the very tip of the peninsula, just beyond the House of Mohammed Ali. As I’d just left the museum it made…
On my daily walks to Panagia, Kavala’s Old Town I liked to swing by the House of Mohammed Ali which so far has been closed. If you are planning a visit, the museum is open from Thursday to Sunday 10:00-16:00 so make sure you time it correctly. Approaching the house from the main road that…
After my visit to the very interesting Museum of Hellenic Refugees, I follow this up with a visit to the Tobacco Museum. Kavala was the most important tobacco processing city in the Balkans. The soil and climate in and around Kavala were ideal growing conditions for tobacco. At the time of the Ottoman occupation, Turks…
I awoke this morning with a sense of anxiety as it dawned upon me that I only had one more day in Kavala. I had a mental list of things that I wanted to see and do and just didn’t have the appetite to do it all in a rush. If I’m going to visit…
How to make the most of three days in Kavala? In addition to everything that Kavala city itself has to offer, two things at the top of ‘must see’ list was visit the archaeological site of Philippi and the town of Drama. Both lie on the same bus route so today I’m going to kill…
The Aqua Blue departs the shores of Agios Efstratios in the depths of the pre-dawn darkness. Several hours later she arrives at Lemnos which is already bustling with activity. The sun, although not yet visible, has begun its ascent, lighting the morning sky and tinging the underside of the lightly scattered clouds with pink and…
Several days ago I confidently reported back to Lucy, my wonderful host on Lemnos, that I hadn’t been bored in my five days on Ai Stratis. Far from it. Although I didn’t have an action-packed itinerary, flying from one tourist spot to the other, I found plenty of things to occupy my mind. Much of…
After exploring the traditional houses and what remains of the old Chora, I was keen to see other parts of the village. First, a little background information to give some context. Agios Efstratios consists of just one settlement located in a valley nestled between two ridges and has four main ridges running its length in…
“You’re spending five nights on Agios Efstratios?” Lucy said. “You’ll be bored!” she exclaimed. Sophia also concurred. Little did they know, the word bored doesn’t come into my vocabulary. My grandchildren are well versed in my response to them telling me that they are bored. I tell them that if they are bored it means…
Where did the time go on Lemnos? It went all too quickly that’s for sure. My days have usually started with a simple breakfast on my small balcony overlooking an orchard of pomegranates, oranges and quince, almost all ready for harvesting. Yoghurt, local thyme honey, peaches and a cup of tea will more than suffice….
Myrina has been an absolute delight. After a few days, I felt as though I’d settled into the rhythm of the place and began to feel completely at home. All the difference has been made by my wonderful host at Apollo Pavillion Hotel. Lucy has made me feel very welcome and nothing is too much…