HYDRA ISLAND OF GREECE
Located close to the heart of the Saronic
Gulf, the island of Hydra can be brought into your itinerary with ease
for an overnight or an extended stay. You can easily combine a visit
to Hydra with your stay in Athens, Porto Heli, Nafplio or even the islands
of Poros, Aegina and Spetses. Ferry/hydrofoil crossings between the
islands are daily and frequent allowing Hydra to fit in well for those
wishing to have a taste of island hopping in the Greek islands but
whom have limited time schedules. If you choose Hydra as your base however,
you may find no reason to go beyond her shores. As you step off the
vessel you may find what may seem like a bustling town. As you walk
through the harbor, subconsciously attempting to adjust yourself to
the pace of Hydra's life, you will pass a line of charming tavernas
and cafes waiting to greet their new visitors. Walking through you may
look to your right and notice a line of boats pleasantly docked for
the evening or beyond. Before them you will see a number of donkeys
and horses stationed and you may wonder why At this point it is well
worth sitting at one of the many tavernas where you will be greeted
by your host with Yiasas before escorting you to your table where
you may order your Ellinikos kafes Greek coffee or ouzo. Looking
around you, attempting to grasp the mystery that surrounds the island,
you will notice the lack of vehicles and motorbikes, the lack of smog
and mechanical noise pollution you left behind you in the first world.
You may notice that those donkeys and horses you see are there to escort
you to your destination. Every now and again you may hear a trader trying
to make a living by strolling up and down and yelling his product. You
may stop and try to imagine the scene, taking away the boats docked
and the modern dress sense of the people and you may just visualize
yourself fitting perfectly back in time with the same movement of generations
ago. You are on the island of 'Majestic Hydra'. Your chapter has only
just began
History of Hydra Island of Greece
With an area of 48 square kilometers populated
by 2,800 inhabitants the islanders believe that the name Hydra came
about through the once ample drinking water fountains found on the island.
Once inhabited by the Driopian shepherds whose ruins can still be found
in the Episkopi area gradually became barren due to a large fire that
destroyed the forests that were once abundant. Threatened by Turkish
persecution during the 15th century many Greek refugees fled to the
island in search for shelter. Due to Hydra been barren, the islander's
became a dominant force of the sea in an effort to substitute the limited
land resources. Its navigational strength soon led the island to be
characterized as a 'small England'. So mighty was the island's strength
that during the Greek Revolution for Independence in 1821, Hydra's fleet
amounted to 130 battle ships measuring at the time to two thirds of
the total Greek fleet. Since Greek independence, Hydra has attracted
many of the elite such as artists, poets, admirals and prime ministers
and continues to do so today. Hydra island is an excellent choice for
those seeking to venture into something typically Greek, unspoiled and
a haven for those seeking explorers. The islands 18th century mansions,
the landscape, the perfect sunsets, and it's narrow paths that lead
into the outskirts of the town and its well maintained and traditional
architecture are only a few reasons for the island being renowned as
an 'Artists Hideout'. Its maze of narrow paths will make you anxiously
wonder what will be revealed at the opening around every corner.
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