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The island of Samos in Greece: the island of many faces and friendly people
Samos is big and even though I have been there a couple of times I had only seen a small part of it untill 2007. The island is situated close to the Turkish coast and in the east of the island you can see the mainland of Turkey. I used to stay in Pythagorion, a delightful fishing- and tourist-resort in the southeast of the island. It's a nice small village, and my absolute favourite time of the day to be there must be in the morning when it's very, very quiet (where are all the tourists??), and you can sit down with your sleepy face and have your coffee and your breakfast (bacon and eggs) while listening to the waves and looking at the boats in the harbour. It's the best way to slowly wake up. It's surprising how quiet it is at that time of the day considering the amount of tourists that fly to Samos on a package-deal. I have no idea, but I think most of them are in the hotels outside of Pythagorion-town and they only come to town in the evening to have dinner and a cocktail or two, three... We stayed in the Pythagorion-hotel the first couple of times. Nothing really fancy, but it's the only hotel in Pythagorion itself that is situated directly on the (pebble-)beach. I just wanted the view and the possibility to be in the water as soon as possible. In 2007 we noticed that the hotel was closed down though and it was falling apart on its beach. There are some other nice holiday-destinations on Samos. A nice one is the smaller next door neighbour of Pythagorion, the village of Ireon, where we have stayed at the Eleana Apartments (see below). Kokkari is also a populair destination. It has got a large pebble beach and several other beaches in the neighbourhood. In the village is a wide choice in hotels and restaurants and there is a naturist beach nearby (organized, so with parasols and beachbeds). Karlovassi I first saw from the ferry on my way to Mykonos, because it made a stop there on the route. It's pretty big and it looked quite interesting, with a very beautiful big church. On inspection it turned out to be a village nice enough to take a brief look at, but not a village where you want to linger for a long time. It is close to some beautiful beaches and interesting places though, like the beach of Potami and the Potami waterfalls. We've also stayed for one night (or more: one day, because we arrived at eight o'clock in the morning after a 9 hour boat-trip, and we just had a little nap there to get some of our energy back) in Samos-town: not really our cup of tea. The town looked nice from the boat, but once we started to explore it we thought it missed the charm you find in some of the other capitals of the Dodekanese island. The buildings in the harbour-front looked pretty impressive, but it was only in the front. In the streets behind the harbour they were less attractive. About the beaches of Samos town: you find a couple of them on the edge of the town and some more a bit outside of the town. We decided not to stay long and go back to Pythagorion. Samos-town on that moment was not for us. Pythagorion on the other hand is very nice, but nowadays it can get quite busy - especially in the evenings. I was told by several people that the upper part of Samos town is quite different and more attractive so we checked that part on our visit in May 2007, but for us, lovers of the quiet places, it is still too large a town for us, and we prefer the smaller villages. Samos town is convieniant for people that want to go places by bus though, or in case you want to go islandhopping. |
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Samos has got high mountains, like the Kerketefmountain in the west, which is with its 1437 meter one of the highest mountains in the Aegean sea, and the 1150 meter high Ampelos mountain in the middle of the island. If you want to see pictures and read about a couple of mountain villages (Ampelos, Pirgos and Koumaradei)you can click here. There is also another very picturesque village close by that is called Vourliotes, with its colourful painted houses and churches. You can follow the signs in the area of the northern coastal villages of Kampos, Avlakia and Agios Konstantinos to get there. In the west are the villages of Paleochori, Kallithea and Drakei which are destinations for the people that are looking for the isolated beaches. In the east of Samos the roads from the village of Palaiokastro with its many churches leads to a district with plenty of beautiful churches and the monasteries of Agia Zoni en Zoodochou Pigis and several pebble beaches (see the extra long beach section in the menu). The landscape of Samos is very green, especially in the north along the coast and in the west of the island. Around the mountainvillages of Pirgos and Koumaradei there are still the visible scars of recent bush fires, and naked tree-trunks stand in the middle of green bushes, small new trees and flowers. In Samos there are many pieces of pinetree forrest and olive groves, and also many wild flowers and wild herbs grow on the island. It is an exceptionally green island. Between the villages of Pythagorion and Heraion, old historic places that are on the Unesco world heritidge list, there is a regular busservice. The village of Pythagorion was named Tigani untill 1955 and is situated at the southeast coast, near the airport of Samos. The villages of Vathy and Karlovassi are in the north of the island. Samos can be easily reached from other Greek islands by ferry, for instance from Rhodes and Kos. Some Products of the island are tabacco, wine, olive oil and citrusfruit. Especially the sweet white wine of Samos is famous. |
Samos Rent a Car
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Hotels, apartments, studios and villas on the island of Samos in GreeceMost of the hotels, apartments and guesthouses on Samos are in the coastal villages like Pythagorion and Kokkari, but also in the capitol of Samos, Vathi, and in other villages along the coastline there are hotels. All these hotels, with the exception of the 4 and 5 star hotels, are usually not very expensive. We were looking for nice hotels on Samos for the month of May in 2007 (1 week). The hotels that we usually go for are the smaller hotels, preferably with a seaview. A quiet location is a big plus. A studio or an apartment with a kitchen(block) inside would be the ultimate best. We have an open mind to any hotel where-ever on the island of Samos, but our first thoughts went to a hotel in Kokkari or Pythagorion. A quiet small holiday-house / villa in the middle of nowhere also sounds to our taste. These are the hotels on Samos that we ended up visiting or that we like the look of. Hotels on Samos island: Oceanida in PythagorionIn our quest for hotels on Samos we had chosen for this hotel: Oceanida in Pythagorion. It is situated at a 4000 meter distance from the center of Pythagorion, at the beach, but since we rent a car anyways it is all fine with us. We hope to find a quiet place with the sea and the beach in front of us. At a 1000 meter distance the shops start and there is a busstop. The closest restaurant is at a 300 meter distance from the apartments. There is a reception where you can rent a safe (ca. € 8,- p.w. 2007), bar, restaurant, internetpossibilities and a small swimmingpool with beds and parasols. We booked this hotel on Samos with a travel agency and we were disappointed a bit. The other hotels that I found on my own were really quite nice and we will return to them again on our next visit. We did like the island so much that we decided to go back as soon if possible, maybe in 2008 or 2009, and we want to stay in a hotel or an apartment in Ireon as well, because we really liked that village. If you have any suggestions or know a nice place there than please let me know. 
FOR MORE HOTELS, APARTMENTS AND STUDIOS ON SAMOS CLICK HERE
Hotels on Samos islands: Grammatikis House in VourliotesAs a matter of fact my eyes were first caught by Grammatikis House in the mountain village Vourliotes. This because of the spectaculair views and everything about it just looked wonderful. I was already talking to the owner of this small hotel (only three rooms). It seemed like something completely different. Unfortunately they had only double beds and since I travel with a friend the plan was cancelled. We both prefer to have our own bed. The owner was very friendly. His name is Stauros Kalligeris. Maybe it is a good plan for somebody else who would like to try something different than the "normal" hotels. Tel. - Fax: +30 22730 93327, Mobile: +30 6936029147
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The village of Vourliotes on SamosThe village of Vourliotes is probably the most picturesque mountain village and in anyway one of the prettiest villages on the island of Samos as a whole. It is located in the north of the island near Kampos or Kambos and Avlakia, roughly in the middle of the island if you look at it from the left to the right. The road to the village is perhaps less spectacular than, for example, the route to the nearby Ampelos (when the car goes through the nightingale forest with its enormous trees) and the views are perhaps slightly less spectacular than from Ampelos, but the village is much nicer and there is a lot more to see. Read more about Vourliotes and take a look at the pictures. |
Hotels on Samos island: Studios Ioanna in Limnionas - Samos - very, very nice!!! SUPERTIP
Another hotel that we thought looked really interesting (and actually is!) were the Studios Ioanna in Limnionas. It's not really a hotel but more a small complex of 6 large studios, each with a seperate living space and sleeping space. They all have a kitchen and a coffee machine :). Limnionas is a small village with some houses spread over the green hills and the valley, with in the backdrop the mountain Kerkis. It is situated all the way on the other side of the island Samos, in the southwest. It has got its own beautiful large beach and it is closer to the naturist beaches. Here is where we had planned to spend the last few days of our holiday on Samos in peace. This is also a place we've returned to and plan to return to many, many more times, because it is so fantastic. The real Greece as you imagine it to be, with the peace and quiet, but also with a bit of fun, the friendly people and the nice, quiet sandy beaches. Have your handkerchiefs on stand by if you have to leave. One of my absolute favorite destinations. And Ioanna, the owner of this small complex is just the funniest and the sweetest person on the planet. Tel: +30 22730 37320, Fax: +30 22730 37320 Send an email to Ioannas Studios. |
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The southwest of Samos - how to get to Limnionas
I had read in several guidebooks of the Greek islands that this part of Samos (the southwest) is the most unspoilt and authentic part of the island, and Ioanna was very enthousiastically tipped by people that love her and this village to bits and return to the place year after year. I was sure it had to be something special and I had a feeling that this will be one of those kind of hotels you get homesick for (and I am defenitely homesick after my return, thanks :(, ahah!!). Limnionas was a thousand times better and nicer than I was hoping for: a place to lose your heart. First of all the people make the village. They are the kindest of them all. If they find out you are staying in the village and have rented a room there they get all spontaneous and enthousiastic. Then there is that lovely quiet beach and the opportunity to make beautiful long walks in the most amazing scenery, and meet more friendly people on the way. Limnionas is only a small village with six tavernas (2007) and two mini markets - mini in every way, but with the essentials, including fresh bread every day in the mini market opposite Ioannas Studios. There is not much acccomodation to find in the village so no chance it will ever get overcrowded with people. Ioanna herself is a spicey, positive and lovely lady with a good sense of humour. She does all her plumbing and painting (of the building) and wants everything to look sharp. She lives together with her mother on the complex. She made me laugh every time I saw her. When we arrived we were immediately greeted asif we were good friends and she invited us in for a coffee and some home made cookies and she told us a bit about Limnionas and the area. Her "studios" are actually more like houses with a low division wall in (part of) the middle that gives sort of a separation between the beds / bed and the living room and kitchen. The ceiling is very high (I estimate 3,5 meters on a v-shape wooden roof). The living room consists of a large u-shaped couch that could easily accommodate two more people. Opposite the living room is the kitchen with everything you could possible need: electric water cooker, coffee machine, toaster for bread, oven, all sorts of pots and pans and dishes, glasses, a coffee service, cutlery... There is also a large bathroom and a veranda with seaview. The houses are situated around a lovely flower garden which is maintained by Ioanna herself. There are all sorts of flowers and trees (bougainvillas and plumbs for instance). Everything on a beautiful and quiet setting. The village, the people, the beaches and Ioanna herself are reason enough for me to want to return to Samos and Limnionas quickly. I was pleasantly surprised by it! Below and above are the pictures I have made of the Studios Ioanna and the beach while I stayed there (several times now because we loved it so much we go back regularly). The place is very easy to find. When you drive into the village it is in the beginning of the village on the left side of the road clearly signed. Limnionas attracts a special kind of people: the ones that are looking for the old and authentic Greece. They come for the peacefulness and not for the nightlife and the bars. A lot of them are young backpackers and people that like to be a bit more adventurous and like to walk and explore the nature and find quiet (or empty) beaches on the way. More pictures and information about Limnionas and the beaches around the village you can find on the Limnionas page HERE and there are also a lot of nice pictures and more information on the website of Studios Ioanna in Limnionas that is made by the webmaster Jimmie. |
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Hotels on Samos: Hotel / houses "Panorama Villas" in Balos - Houses with a great view over the sea and the islands
We stayed a couple of days in one of these houses in May 2007. Below there are a few pictures of the villas that I made. They are at the edge of the village of Balos and they all overlook the bay with Kampos / Votsalakia and the mountain Kerkis. There is lots of privacy. You have to take the turn a few 100 meters past the Balos sign that will lead you down to the village. The sign says "Hotel Mandalida" and below that is the sign for Panorama Villas. It's a wondeful experience to sit outside on your veranda and have that great view of the bay. The owners are Alexandros and Maria (who also speaks fluently French). For the lovers of desolate beaches: there is a hidden gem of a beach not far away. It is a bit of a climb, but defenitely worth it: our favorite beach of the island. Alexandros refers to it as "the small pebble beach" but actually it is quite large. Two out of three times we found it empty, and it's clean even though there are no tavernas. You have to bring your own water and / or lunch. Nearby is the small and really unspoilt village of Balos, with a couple of tavernas (we counted two but maybe there are more...) and a long beautiful pebble beach (also quiet, and empty the two times that we have seen it - but this was out of high season). If you look for a place to rest and relax and get away from the strain of everyday life that this hotel is a perfect option. The villas come with a kitchen and all the modern comforts and give a secluded feeling. All this on one of the most beautiful locations we have seen. It is a good plan to rent a car or a motorcycle to make yourself a bit more mobile whilst you stay here. Check availability and prices & book Panorama Villas CLICK HERE |
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Return to Samos - Ireon 2008 - Eleana Apartments
Since we were so enthousiastic about Samos and liked it so much, we have already been looking for new hotels, or at least: for a hotel in Ireon. For our next visit we want to stay there as well for a couple of days (and so we did in 2008), and we thought that this one, the Eleana Apartments looked very nice. It also had a lot of nice comments in the guestbook and people are coming back there year after year. I wrote them a few lines and the response from Eleana was very friendly.
The apartments and studios are situated in the center of Ireon, 50 meters from the busstation and 80 meters from the sea, on the main road that leads inland from the sea. Nearby are supermarkets, the bakery and the post office. The Eleana Apartments have really cheap prices, even in the high season!!
Send an e-mail to Eleana Apartments. |
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Cohyli Hotel & Restaurant - Ireon Samos - family hotel close to the path that leads to Papa BeachAlso in the Cohyli Hotel we have looked around. It is located near the path to Papa beach, at the end of the village of Ireon, 25m from the sea, close to the little fishing port. It is a small family hotel with 14 rooms (single, double, triple). Each room is simply decorated and has a refrigerator and each room has a bathroom. The best part is that all the rooms have such a large balcony (all with sea views) and on the upper floor the four rooms share a huge roof terrace, also with a magnificent view of the sea. On each floor is a kind of common living room with sofas and chairs and you can borrow a good book, because there is a library in the building. Cohyli means "seashell" and so the hotel is decorated with lots of seashells. Christina's handmade mirrors which are decorated with seashells are on every floor. The hotel includes a restaurant, which is located in a large garden behind the building, and there is also a covered area where you can enjoy breakfast overlooking the sea. In any case, the owner Christina is one of the nicest people we have met on the entire island. It is evening she works in the kitchen and she is also an excellent cook. Tel: +0030 22730 95282, 95225 Fax: +0030 22730 95282 Send an email to the Cohyli Hotel. |
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Samos OrmosOrmos is a quiet and friendly fishing village in the south of Samos next to Votsalakia and Kampos. It is prettier though and the houses have more character. It looks a bit older and more authentic than its close neighbours. On the edge of Ormos you can find the beach of Ormos. On the boulevard of Ormos there are various possibilities to have something to eat or drink, and there are also a few hotels. The village has a supermarket and a bakery. A little higher up in Ormos you can visit the nice old church and have a look over the bay. |
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Kerkis Bay Hotel Ormos MarathokamposKerkis Bay Hotel is situated in the southwest of Samos island in the centre of the fishermens'village Ormos Marathokampos. It is built in a traditional style and there are 29 comfortable rooms with balcony, a bathroom, music, satelite tv, fridge, airconditioning and a hair dryer. There is an attractive reception lobby with seats and outside there are many pergolas. In the cosy village with its nice beach and good tavernas it is still pretty authentically Greek and not packed with tourists. The area is very pretty and the people in this part of Samos are very friendly and hospitable. Check availability and prices & book the Kerkis Bay Hotel CLICK HERE |
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Oceanis Studios in Ormos Marathokampos - see pictures belowIn the picturesque fishing village of Ormos Marathokambou, on the south-western side of the island, this accommodation is built on the slope of a hill, overlooking the village and sea. With a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea’s endless blue, Oceanis Studios is only 300 metres from the sandy beach and just 150 metres from the centre of the village. There, you can find mini-markets, gift shops, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. From the nearby village port, you can visit other famous or even unfamiliar shores via small sailboats. Daily cruises around the island and neighbouring islands, such as Fournoi, Ikaria, Patmos and more, can also be organised. If you own a boat or cruiser, you can safely anchor it at the marina. Check availability and prices & book the Oceanis Studios CLICK HERE |
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Korali Apartments in Ormos Marathokampos, Samos - cheap choice - see pictures belowKorali apartments are located only a 3-minute walk from the beach at Ormos, a very pretty and peaceful traditional fishing village on the south-west coast of Samos. At Korali, guests enjoy the independence and privacy offered by a fully equipped kitchen. Shops and mini-markets are very close by, but far enough to ensure peace and quiet. Relax on the balcony with beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. Take a short walk to the harbor, which is full of picturesque old and new fishing boats. An evening walk can be especially pleasant. Go for a a stroll in the garden. Continue into Ormos for charming restaurants. Or stay at the Korali to make the most of a home-from-home in Samos, Greece Check availabilities and prices & book & book Korali Apartments CLICK HERE |
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Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece 2007 2008