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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):
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9.5 km to Agios
Andreas
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9 km to Stavros
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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.
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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.
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Itinerary |
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Day |
1 |
To ATHENS
Depart your City airport, on the flight to
Athens with
all meals on board.
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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.
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Day |
2 - 6 |
ASTIPALAIA
Five (5) days at leisure in Astipalea.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 many before you.
AT LEISURE
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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.
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