Day two of my little trip started with another greedy breakfast and a temperature of minus 2. It’s big coat, gloves and two pairs of socks weather. Luckily, for once, I have packed the appropriate clothing. My breakfast was interrupted by the raised voices of an older British couple. Mrs UK was upset Mr UK was interfering with the way she was using the cereal dispenser. This culminated in a loud “will you stop trying to control me!” In the dining room. It served as a reminder that just because you travel with someone doesn’t necessarily mean you are having a better time! Glad I didn’t have any ..read more

I spend far too much time scrolling on my phone. We all do. Time I could have spent talking to a friend, learning a language or baking a cake has been wasted scrolling through social media and various articles and rabbit holes online. One such article popped up on my Google news feed was ‘Why you should visit Venice in the winter’. I read on. Venice is suffering from over tourism, it’s crowded, hot and crumbling in the summer months as day trippers and cruise ship passengers clog its bridges and canals. The city has introduced a tourist tax to try and save itself. In the winter it’s empty, it ..read more

The last few days have passed by without incident. I caught a local bus to Pedi. €2 each way. There was nothing there. Just one hotel and a taverna. No beach to speak of. Symi is so rocky and pebbly, this is really not a beach destination. There are no big hotels with swimming pools here either. Everything is built clinging to a cliff face. It’s small scale pensions and apartments only. I stayed an hour, had a quick cooling dip in the sea and caught the next bus back. Symi harbour The next day, I decided on a complete whim to book a round the island all day boat trip. I had last gone on one of ..read more

First evenings I always approach a bit carefully. I end up walking up and down looking for a suitable place to drink, eat or both on my own. Symi has none of the shi-shi cocktail bars of the Cyclades. Hospitality here is a bit more traditional. I opt for an Aperol Spritz in an unassuming. It’s still early and the town is quiet. Nobody has come out to play yet. It’s daylight until around 9pm here so everyone hides until it’s safe to appear away from the burn of the sun. I eat gyros in a small taverna around the corner and then walk it off along the seafront just as dusk falls. I have seen many ..read more

Another late evening arrival on a Greek island. This time it’s Rhodes (Rodos) in the Dodecanese. My ultimate destination is the much smaller island of Symi. Too late for a connecting ferry I have to stay in Rhodes tonight and head out in the morning. Kolona port, Rhodes I was last in Rhodes over 20 years ago. It is still noisy and bustling. A bit shabby and developed without sympathy. Rhodes was my first ever Greek island holiday, aged 16. Many more islands ticked off my list since. 16 at last count. I had a noisy and disturbed sleep and woke early. I was also last in Symi aged 16 on that firs ..read more

Book your Greek island hopping itinerary through Ferryscanner. They have access to all of the Greek island ferry routes and companies allowing you to plan your travels at a time and price to suit you. Book via the link below https://www.ferryscanner.com/en/ferry/?ref=ytizndl&utm_source=85c583cb5dc28d0e9ba9b31926c59dda&utm_campaign=Ferryscanner+affiliate+program+EN ..read more

Astypalea Flight for summer 2023 booked and in the bag! Planning new islands next year. Watch this space for Ios, Amorgos (Cyclades) and Astypalea (Dodecanese). Any hints or tips from readers welcome ..read more

Mykonos, Paros and Syros 40Euros for a 2km taxi ride from Mykonos airport to the Chora? You must be joking. I opted for a 2euro single public bus fare instead. It was dark, hot and busy in Mykonos town. A very steep hill later I found myself back in a small apartment I had rented previously. A stone’s throw from the bars and restaurants. A cheap Gyro and an early night. Tomorrow I set sail for Paros. I took the sea bus from Mykonos town to the new port. I have packed as light as I possibly can for 3 weeks away. The sound of hundreds of wheelie cases greets me as I trundle down to the bustling ..read more

Another late night arrival in Andros. Michaelis and his taxi was waiting at Gavrio port having been sent by the delightful Maria from Villa Nefeli in Batsi. 10 minutes later Batsi fell into view. A noisy first night followed due to traffic noise (the apartment was right on a main highway) and an eerie green light bathing the room. This was due to the lit fire exit – solved the next day by placing my straw hat over it where it stayed for the duration. The next morning I could see the bay and the view from the balcony. It was of the main St Philips church which dominates the town. St Philips Bat ..read more

Grown up Greece without the price tag. Ermopouli – Syros The departure from Paros was fraught. I woke up to a text informing me the afternoon ferry was cancelled due to technical issues. The only other ferry that day was at 9pm that evening. In the end it departed Paros at 00.50 at night. I expected Syros to be sleeping upon arrival. The capital Ermopouli (city of Hermes) was still very much up and about and partying hard. A taxi was not easy to find. Eventually one was located in the central square. Off to a beach resort nearby called Galissas. When I woke up to Galissas later that morning in ..read more