7429 Greece 2020 Samos.qxp 22/11/2019 10:51 Page 132 Greece | North Aegean Islands | Samos Ag. Konstantinos Karlovasi Samos Kokkari SAMOS TOWN Kerveli L Samos offers such variety that everyone should 1437m Votsalakia Ormos Psili Ammos Limnionas v be able to find what they want from a holiday Pythagorion Ireon here. With some 160 kms of coastline and be found through the olive groves Ephesus in Turkey, the historic island a rugged mountainous interior to and vineyards lower down. of Patmos and a boat trip BBQ, all SAMOS INfOrMATION explore, you will encounter Wherever you go you will find good operating out of Pythagorion. Getting to Samos magnificent scenery, traditional beaches. They range from peaceful Samos has a fair amount of history of Thursday Day flight Gatwick to Samos or daily via Athens inland villages, small fishing hamlets, little pebble bays, with few people its own, as evidenced by remains in established seaside resorts and many connecting with a short domestic and one taverna, to longer stretches the environs of Pythagorion (which is flight. Then 30-90 mins. by taxi or fine beaches. of sand or shingle with water sports itself named after the island’s most coach (see resort descriptions). Of course, with attractions like these, and sunbeds for hire. Those on the famous son, Pythagoras). The most Multi-Centre Options and an international airport to boot, north-east coast, picturesquely impressive of these are the ancient Samos with Ikaria, Patmos - please Samos receives its fair share of backed by cliff and pine, are popular Temple of Hera and Evpalinus see relevant resort pages for visitors. But tourism here is aimed and feature on all the postcards; Tunnel, both dating from the 6th important transfer info. Samos can towards the upper end of the market those in the south are more century BC. The former was a very also be included in a tailor made island hopping itinerary with many and, besides, being about 50 miles sheltered and sandy towards the important sanctuary indeed – vast of the Dodecanese islands e.g. Lipsi, long the island is large enough to west. In common with all Aegean but never actually completed; the Leros, Kos, Kalymnos - please absorb its summer influx. islands, Samos can be windy in the latter an aqueduct over 1000m long enquire for details. The north and west attract many high summer months. bored through the mountain rock – Car Hire walkers in early and late season. Samos has a good bus service, an amazing feat of engineering. See page 268-9 for details. Cars Springtime and early summer see especially along the north coast Finally Samos is known for its wine booked to accommodation are delivered in the morning and carpets of wild flowers. Pine-forests from/to Samos Town (aka Vathy), (the Golden Samena in particular is collected in the evening. clad the lower mountain slopes – and the roads are also generally in excellent). Perhaps that’s why the representative the highest peak being Kerkis in the good condition, making it an easy temple remains still unfinished! Our Samos representative visits all west at 1437m – and tracks link island to explore. Sea excursions areas. village to village. Gentler walking can include guided day trips to famous 132 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Samos.qxp 22/11/2019 10:51 Page 133 Greece | North Aegean Islands | Samos Our chosen areas North Samos Kokkari South East Samos South West Samos Transfer time 40 minutes Pythagorion & Kerveli Ormos & Votsalakia With its three good beaches, long colourful Transfer time 10-30 minutes Transfer time 45-60 minutes waterfront and picturesque fishing harbour, all overlooked by the characterful old village Named after the island’s most famous son, the The peaceful south-western corner of Samos above, Kokkari is an ever-popular choice ancient mathematician Pythagoras, contains some of the island’s finest beaches amongst all ages and nationalities. Pythagorion is Samos’s biggest settlement and scenery. on the south coast (there is not much Kokkari enjoys quite a cosmopolitan Ormos is a delight – a small traditional fishing competition!). Boasting a handsome semi- atmosphere – especially in the evenings. There village built around a working harbour, with a circular harbour has a wide promenade lined is a wealth of eating places to choose from, line of cafés and tavernas strung along the with plenty of cafes and restaurants from ranging from traditional taverna to upmarket waterfront, a selection of useful local shops, a which to enjoy the comings and goings. bistro, and some nightlife. Kokkari also has a handful of apartments and just one hotel. couple of internet cafés. Pythagorion is in fact a UNESCO World Heritage Boat trips ran last summer from the newly site. The island’s tyrant ruler, Polykrates, had his expanded harbour. The small sand/shingle The main pebble beach stretches for half a capital here in the 6th century BC, and evidence village beach has sun beds and umbrellas, and mile. Around the corner are two pretty shingle of his original harbour walls can still be seen. a longer 'wild' beach starts just beyond. A 15 bays. A string of Samos’ most famous beaches There are the remains of Roman Baths to the minute walk over the headland brings you to begins only a 20 minute walk to the west with west and the castle above the harbour dates a well liked alternative beach just before Lemonakia. from the 19th century. Votsalakia. A good bus service links Kokkari with Samos The remarkable feat of ancient engineering Ormos is a delightfully authentic and friendly Town and Karlovassi. All excursions pick-up that is Evpalinas Tunnel, in the hills above, was little spot and the village provides everything from the village, mountain bikes can be rented, made to ensure the water supply in times of you should need for a relaxed holiday in very there is a windsurf school, and the mountains siege and was bored for over 1000 metres 'Greek' surroundings. behind offer fine walking opportunities. through the mountain in 550 BC. Even older A mile to the west over the headland, and (8BC) is the Temple of Hera 6 kms to the west, easily walkable from Ormos, Votsalakia reputed to be the largest Ionic temple in (sometimes called Kambos) also offers a Greece but all that remains is one gigantic quieter holiday but with the facilities of a column out of the 155 original pillars. The site small resort. Votsalakia spreads itself along its of the temple is designated a UNESCO World very long, fine beach and has a good choice Heritage Site. of restaurants, café-bars and small shops. Cars Behind the harbour, narrow lanes and cobbled and bicycles can be rented. The main streets add to the characterful small town sand/pebble beach is one of the longest on atmosphere. Samos – nearly two miles – with sun beds Boat trips run to local beaches and include a available, and offers good swimming in a very picnic lunch; to Kusadasi in Turkey, from clean sea. where you are taken to ancient Ephesus; and The whole region is fine walking country. to Patmos for the day. Hikers will enjoy the trail up Mount Kerkis to Tsamadou beach near Kokkari The town has a small but perfectly serviceable Evangelistria monastery (a steep 3-4 hours – sandy beach just past the harbour, and to the cheats can get closer by car and just walk the west is the very long, clean sand/pebble beach last bit!); whilst more casual ramblers must which has sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, and walk the 2½ km track above the sea from seasonal watersports. Limnionas to the wonderfully named ‘Taverna at the End of the World’, where you can swim Between Pythagorion and Samos Town, from the beach below before taking a well peaceful Kerveli is a completely relaxing little earned lunch. seaside spot on the undeveloped east coast of the island. For all areas here car hire is recommended for further exploration as excursions and the bus Kerveli looks towards Turkey, and is service are very limited. If you have a car for a undoubtedly one of the loveliest and most few days you can also drive to Pythagorion for sheltered bays on Samos, accessed only via a a day trip to Ephesus and Turkey. narrow road that winds down through beautiful wooded countryside and olive Kokkari groves. A pair of excellent, friendly tavernas, one hotel, a shingle beach with tamarisk for shade and a turquoise sea, all against a backdrop of thickly wooded hills. Pythagorion Kerveli South West Samos near Votsalakia 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece & Cyprus | 133 7429 Greece 2020 Samos.qxp 26/11/2019 09:55 Page 134 Greece | North Aegean Islands | Samos Kerveli Village Hotel Kerveli This most comfortable hotel is built have air conditioning available in in lush natural surroundings the afternoons and evening during overlooking beautiful Kerveli Bay and hotter periods (usually mid-June to has stunning views towards Turkey. mid-September). All rooms possess Some of the 62 rooms are in the a safety deposit box (local charge 1€ main building, but most are in per day), TV, fridge (local charge 3€ separate buildings dotted around per day), hairdryer, bath or shower the carefully landscaped grounds. and balcony or patio with garden Below, reached by steps, is a pair of view or views to the sea over the shingle coves and a pontoon from trees. Beach towels cost €1 per day. which you can swim into deep Superior sea view rooms have the water. Sun beds and umbrellas are best views and guests here have free for hotel guests and snorkelling free Wifi, safety deposit box, fridge equipment can be hired.