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The village of Limnionas on the island of Samos in Greece
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Limnionas is a small village in the green hills with a beautiful sandbeach with in the backdrop the largest and most imposing mountains of the island. The village is situated in the southwest of Samos. Since it is not on a main road it is very quiet (hardly any traffic) and it does not attract too many vistors. In Limnionas there are a couple of restaurants, two mini markets and some hotels, apartments and studios (limited accommodation, so full is full, you are wise to make reservations ahead). The people in the village are exceptionally friendly.
The area around Limnionas has many paths that are suitable for making walks, especially in the west of Limnionas around the villages of Agia Kyriaki and Paleochori, and the Moni Agios Ioannis Eleimonas. Many people also walk from the village of Votsalakia to Psili Amos and Limnionas. Hidden between the last two beaches is another very attractive pebble beach which is hard to find. You can reach it by walking over a path not far from Limnionas.
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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. A two and a half km long track leads you to the Taverna at the end of the world where there is a secluded private beach. You can get there by 4-wheel drive car, but it is much nicer to make the walk so you can enjoy the beauty of the scenery. You will walk along old olive trees and bushes and you can smell the abundance of herbs like oregano and camille. On the left side you can see the sea, the cliffs and the islands and as you walk you will pass several stunning and quiet beaches (some of them - but not all - quite inpossible to reach though). |
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At the "Taverna at the end of the world" you can have a cool drink or something to eat. The owner is Andreas and he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in Greece. He can tell you the story of the taverna and show you the possibilities for walking in the area. Leading up from the taverna is a path that will take you to a crosspoint where you can take several directions and explore the area. Here you can also get a clear view of the island of Fourni. In case there is a day that you don't feel like doing anything you can walk down to the main beach of Limnionas (a good beach and not as crowded as most other beaches). In Limnionas village everything is laid back and relaxed, it's a place I really enjoyed a lot and hope to return to soon (in the meantime we have returned a couple of times). |
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Hotels on Samos island: Studios Ioanna in Limnionas - Samos - super, love it to bits!
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 e-mail to Ioannas Studios |
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Het zuidwesten van Samos - hoe kom je in Limnionas
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. |
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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! 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. |
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Option in case Ioannas Studios is booked out - Nereides Apartments in LimnionasQuietly located Ioannas Studios is popular and has a lot of returning guests, so you might very well find the place is booked out. If it is and you still like to have an accommodation in Limnionas than the Nereides Apartments could be an option. Ideally located in a natural environment, in Limnionas bay, between sea and mountain, Nereides apartments offer a relaxing and pleasurable atmosphere. At the hotel’s restaurant, guests can enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast in the morning as well as traditional dishes and fresh fish during the day. Nearby points of interest include the Pithagora’s cave, the cave chapel Sarantaskaliotissa and the Evagelistria monastery. For trained walkers, the path to Kerki’s pick “Vigla” is a must. Check availabilities and prices & book the Nereides Apartments - click here |
Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2010