Syros lies in the middle of the Cyclades between Kythnos and Tinos. It has an area of 86 sq. km., a coastline of 87 km., and a population in excess of 20,000. Close to Piraeus (the trip by ferry takes only 4 hours, and 2.5 hours by Catamaran), Syros is connected by ferry with Rafina, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and other Cycladic islands.It is also connected with Athens by plane.
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The island of Syros is full of beauties and charms created by its unspoiled landscape, its authenticity and its traditional villages. The wonderful capital of Syros, Ermoupolis, is the capital of all the Cyclades. Ermoupolis is a walkers paradise and there are plenty of small streets, little shops and cafes . The waterfront is alive with people, cars and commerce. There are plenty of good restaurants and ouzeries.
Because Syros was a commercial center (Ermoupolis was named for Hermes: God of commerce) and not reliant on tourism they restored slowly and built intelligently. The city is like a museum.
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Ermoupolis and Vamvakaris "plateia"
Syros is the island where Markos Vamvakaris lived, the famous rembetika player who wrote "Frankosyrianni", one of the most popular Greek songs. You can visit also the Markos Vamvakaris Museum.
The island is also known for Loukoumia (or Turkish Delight) which is a sweet, gummy, sugar-powdered, nut-filled candy sold in attractive boxes from stores and loukoumia factories all over the city of Ermoupolis. When the ferries stop on their way to Mykonos or from there back to Pireaus, loukoumia sellers run onto the boat to sell to the passengers .
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Azolimnos is lying in the south-east of the island, at 4 km of Ermoupolis. The settlement of Azolimnos has a small, picturesque bay with a beautiful beach with crystallike waters. The lovely village has a few accommodations and many excellent taverns. There is a regular bus-connection to Ermoupolis.
The course takes place in the Pension Echo, right at the beach of Azolimnos.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is possible in the Pension Echo itself, although there are only a limited number of rooms. When all the rooms are fully booked, OMILO books rooms in the neighboring pensions : Pension Aegeo (Aegean), Pension Galaksi and Pension Oasis, all at 200 meters from the Echo Pension.
More information please click on the following link : Syros Accommodation
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Syros beaches and a boat trip excursion
More information on Syros island (how to get there, map of Syros, history, etc..) on the following link : About Syros Island