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| Andros | Andros Hotels | Andros Chora | Batsi Beach | Andros Beaches | Andros Pictures |
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The island of Andros in Greece - "The Big Green" The first time I visited Andros it was only for a couple of hours and we were only in the port of the town of Gavrio. I was there at the end of October when almost everything on Andros had closed down. When you spend an hour walking around with a heavy bag looking for a place that is open and where you can have a bite to eat, it gets easy to say you don't like the place. I think we were the only tourists visiting Andros island that day. We decided not to stay and take the next ferry to Rafina. We walked around the village of Gavrion and spend some time on the town beach and that's it. The town promenade could have looked nice, but it was full of old cars, and the local beach had rather hard sand. The only restaurant that we could find that served some kind of food was good though. They had only crepes, but they were awesome. For the people that love to eat we have also made a small restaurant guide. In 2006 I returned for a couple of days and rented a car in order to see as much from the island as possible. We stayed in the lovely village of Batsi, just a few kilometers from the main Port Gavrio. Allthough it was the end of september it was surprisingly quiet (most visitors were from the UK) in this seaside resort. As a matter of fact it was sort of quiet everywhere on the island and we even managed to find a couple of great beaches that were empty! A rather strange experience when you think that the island of Andros is so easy to reach. From the port of Rafina (Athens) it takes you only a couple of hours to reach this destination. Maybe it's because of the port where the ferries arrive. It doesn't look too inviting and it possibly turns people off. We ended up at Villa Rena, at the top of Batsi, and our balcony overlooked the village, the sea and a couple of small islands in front of Batsi Bay. It was run by two lovely people, Rena and John (who is from England). We had a rather large studio with a double bed and a single bed, and a pretty nice new kitchen. I even cooked a meal there, because I wanted to eat enjoying the view, but also because I love to cook. I think I was the first one to do so, because all the pots and pans looked brandnew, haha... |
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A litle bit more abou the island of AndrosAndros is mountainous and rough, and it's big. You need time to see it all. Compared to the other Cyclades it's really green, even at the end of september when we were there. There are green valleys and tree-topped hills everywhere, and beautiful bays and nice little villages around every corner. I can only compare it to Crete. If you've been there: it looks like the west of Crete. Andros also comes with a beautiful capitol, Andros town, which is much different from most of the other capitols on the Cycladic islands. In Andros Chora you find big mansions, a gorgeous beach, many restaurants, shopping streets and culture. It's a very lively city and obviously the people have money to spend. Some of the mansions are build on the cliffs near the sea, and the lighthouse that stands on a rockpillar is an amazing view. On an islet in front of the town there are also the remains of a Venetian castle. In the southeast of the island you can find the Bay of Korthiou and the village of Korthiou. One of the other advantages of Andros is that it has so many uncultivated and beautiful beaches without umbrellas and beachchairs, and they are clean. And because there aren't that many tourists visiting the island the majority of those beaches are quiet or even empty. I was really impressed with that. For a large map of Andros click here. |
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The ancient town of PeleopoliA couple of kilometers south of Batsi you can find the ancient town of Peleopoli. Todays Paleopoli is a pretty and small town that is glued to a hill. A thousand steps on the stairs will take you past a church with a blue dome all the way down to the beach with its ancient harbour. |
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The Church of the Taxiarchis MelidasOn the left side of the road leading from the westcoast to the capitol of Andros Chora you will find the 12 century Byzantine church of the Taxiarchis Melidas. A little up the road there is another attractive small white church. Some of the architectural parts with relief decoration from this church can be found in the Archeological Museum of Andros. |
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The Church of St. Thekla, Church of St ChristoforosI don't have a clue what this church is all about, but it came with signs and a small parking spot, so I suppose it is old and special. It stands on the westcoast of the island and the views from the platform are spectaculair, so I guess even for that reason alone it pays to make a short stop. As you can see on the picture it was not a day with the best kind of weather, but that can occasionally happen at the end of september, and the next day the sun was shining again. |
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The Monastery of PanagradouThe impressive Monastery of Panagradou was built in the 10th century by the Byzantine emperor Nikiforos Fokas. It is located high in the mountains in the south of Andros and it has exceptional views over the lanscape, Andros Chora and the sea. In the small church of the monastery there are beautiful 18th century wallpaintings. |
The Agios Petros TowerThe Agios Petros Tower is situated just above Gavrio Town (about 15 minutes by car and then a walk). It can be reached from two sides. Don't stop at the first sign that directs to the tower but drive on to the second one and aproach it from above. The first sign takes you over a path (also down) but a 100 meters before you are about to reach it there is a sign saying it is dangerous and warning you not to pass. A big bunch of beehives is blocking the passage. The 20 meters tall tower is from the Hellenistic period, 2nd century, and the best preserved ruin on the island of Andros. |
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The capital of Andros island - Andros ChoraAndros Chora, about an hour drive from the ferry port of Gavrio, is a lively and mondain kind of place, bursting with beautiful mansions, shops, tavernas and museums. It has some long and wide streets, squares with terraces and beautiful churches (the main one was being restored when we were there in 2006). All the shops and the tavernas tell you that life is good here and that people have money. It's a rich city and the people are dressed accordingly, including the jewelry. At the end of the village at the bottom of some stairs you find the beautiful beach of Andros Chora. You can also find the remains of a Venetian castle and a lighthouse standing on a pillar/rock in the sea. |
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Andros - Batsi Beach - Villa RenaVilla Rena in Batsi Beach consists of 12 luxurious apartments in a unique setting. All apartments have airconditioning, tv and telephone. The Villa Rena comes with a private swimming pool and a large garden. The complex with studios is run by Rena, who decorated all the rooms in het own cozy style, and downstairs at the bar of the pool you will usually find John. Rena is a very talented amateur painter and we advise everybody to take a look at her wall in her reception/house where she has hung most of the paintings. Tel: +30 22820 41024 Fax: +30 22820 41378 Mobile: +30 6944 432667 |
Andros - Batsi Beach - Villa Alexandros- cheap option, good reviewsVilla Alexandros is situated 100 metres from the seaside, just a 10 minute walk from picturesque Batsi's sandy beach. From our 10 self-catering studios you can enjoy a fantastic sunset of the endless Aegean sea and the Batsi bay. Our aim is that you have an unforgettable holiday. For Villa Alexandros in Batsi - Andros check availability and reserve here. |
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Andros, Batsi Beach - Nora Norita Studios - Studios with a seaview in Batsi, AndrosSituated on the bay of Batsi, just 60 metres from Kolona Beach, Nora-Norita offers well-equipped studios with beautiful views of the bay and the town. Enjoy a relaxing break in your own comfortable studio at Nora-Norita. Prepare meals using your fully equipped kitchenette. Check your emails with Nora-Noritas free computer access. Sit back and enjoy the stunning views overlooking the nearby beach and the Aegean Sea. The studios are surrounded by the mountainous countryside of Batsi, offering you a peaceful location with excellent hiking opportunities. Nora-Norita Studios can also arrange for you to rent a car, should you wish to further explore this wonderful area. Batsi’s town centre is just a leisurely 15-minute walk away from Nora-Norita, where there are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars. Villa Nora-Norita is right in the front of the Kolona sandy beach of village Batsi, 150m from the sandy beach of Batsi, 150m from restaurants, minimarket and bus station. There are 14 studios (each sleep 2/3). All the rooms have balconies overlooking the lovely Kolona sandy beach and Batsi Bay. Batsi has many tavernas with local food, restaurants, coffee shops etc. For Nora Norita Studios in Batsi - Andros check availability and reserve here. |
Andros, Batsi Beach - Chrissy Acti HotelIdeally located in the centre of Batsi on the island of Andros, this hotel overlooks the coast and is just by the town’s main beach. Batsi is a peaceful coastal town located on the footstep of a mountain. The Chryssi Akti Hotel is a walking distance from the main shops, cafes and restaurants. Recently renovated, the hotel provides a modern interior for its guests. Equipped with a swimming pool and situated in a central location, the Chryssi Akti is close to all the main services needed to enjoy a relaxing holiday. The hotel is easily accessible by taxi or bus from the port. The bus stops, with request, right outside of the hotel. For the Chrissy Acti Hotel in Batsi - Andros check availability and reserve here.
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Batsi Beach on Andros island - GreeceBatsi village and Batsi Beach, 7 kilometer from the port of Gavrio, have changed from a former tiny fishing village into a cosmopolitan tourist resort, which offers, besides the great beach off course, a variety in shops, restaurants, nightclubs and cozy bars. In Batsi there is also a bank and a post ofice. It's situated on the top of two hills in a beautiful bay that overlooks the Agean sea, and it lies protected from the wind. Batsi is built amphitheatrically, with whitewashed tiled roof houses with colourful windows and doors, and it has a picturesque little port with fishing boats. |
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The beaches of Andros island in GreeceThe island of Andros has many beaches that are spread around the island. Personally I think that the beaches on this island were much prettier than on the other Cycladic islands. As you drive the few kilometers from the ferry port Gavrio to the seasideresort of Batsi this immediately becomes clear because around ever corner there is a new beautiful beach, and so you pass many before you arrive in Batsi. The water also is very clear and the beaches are good and clean compared to other islands in this islandgroup. You will not find large amounts of parasols and sunbeds. |
Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece 2006 2009