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Spiti
(the house of) Charlie lies on the
island of Spetses, the most southerly of the
Saronic Islands. The island was known,
before the 18th century as Pityousa, meaning
"pine-clad". The name Spetses, a
corruption of the Venetian "Isola di
Spezzi", or "Isle of Spices",
is still partially covered in aleppo pine
woodland.
It has wonderful secluded small
pebble bays and crystal clear water. The
house is situated at the beginning of
the old harbour or Palio Limani which is
lined with neo-classical buildings. From
Spetses you can explore the other islands of
the Saronic group, like Hydra, and sites on
the mainland like Mycenae and Epidavros.
How to Get There
By
Sea -The
nearest international airport is Athens.
From Athens, you can take a taxi or the E96
Airport bus to the Port of Pireaus. The
airport bus leaves every 15 mins from the
airport. The bus stop is situated straight
outside the Arrivals Hall. From Pireaus, you
take a Flying Dolphin or Catamaran to the
island of Spetses (approx 2 hours - 51
nautical miles from Piraeus). The last
connections are usually quite early in the
evening. Hellas Flying Dolphins -
look on their web site
www.dolphins.gr
By
Taxi -
The second way to the island of Spetses from
Athens Airport is to take a taxi to the
small port of Costa on the mainland
opposite.
This takes about 2 1/2 hours
over some very spectacular but windy roads.
The rough cost in 2007 for one car is 180
euros plus tip (we can arrange for the
wonderful "George" to meet you off
your plane - George lives in Portoheli close
to Spetses and he and his son run a taxi.
George speaks very basic English).
From Costa you take a water taxi to Spetses
(10 mins). Water taxis constantly cross from
Costa to Spetses and in the main season are
there 24 hours a day.
By
Air -
There is a small privately run air strip on
the mainland opposite Spetses and a Heli Pad
on Spetses for those that want to fly down.
Helicopter trips from Athens to Spetses cost
around 2000 euros for a four passengers -
2007 price.
see
for more details:- http://www.spetsesdirect.com/travel_transport
Exploring
the Island
Hire
a Kaiki or
Trechandri. This is the Greek name for a
wooden fishing boat or day boat. You can
hire one of these captained boats for day
trips to any of the secluded beeches on or
off Spetses. Given enough warning we can
organize this for you. Alternatively, public
kaikis leave for several of the bigger
beaches (Zogheria, Anagiri or Paraskevi)
around the island from the Dappia (the main
harbour) of Spetses. You just turn up
and take the boat that is going to the beach
you want to go to.
It leaves when it is full.
The boat comes back a couple of times
during the afternoon to return passengers to
the Dapia. These beaches all have
restaurants.
Hire
a little speed boat and self captain it. Boat Hire from "Costa"
situated west of the Dappia. Tel: 6944
548183. This is great fun but be warned that
the seas around Spetses can get rough, so
always ask where best to go for the time of
year etc...
Hire
a scooter or bicycle.
There are many hire shops in the main drag
in town where you can hire wheeled
transport. The Island has a sealed road all
the way round with easy access to many
beaches. It takes about 1 - 2 hours (24km)
on a bicycle to complete the trip round the
island. You have to climb from sea level to
about 120m (400 ft) several times - great
for fitness training! There are several dirt
roads that go over the top of the island
climbing to its peak at 285m (935ft). One of
these roads was made specially for horse
drawn carriages and you pass over five
wonderfully built bridges.
Mainland
Porto Heli Day trips can be done from
Spetses to Portoheli where you can hire
sailing boats. One of the best water
skiing lakes is just outside Porto Heli.
The
Epidavros amphitheatre
is a must if you are into ancient Greek
sites. You can catch great performances
during the summer. Getting there - by
taxi from Costa to Epidavros takes about 45
min and is best to do first thing in the
morning before the crowds.
Mycenae
and Tyrins.
A good trip to do is Epidavros in the
morning and then on the Mycenae and Tiryns.
Mycenae to see Agamemnon's honey-comb tomb
and citadel and Tiryns just to marvel how
close these two powers were to each other.
This is a full day but if you haven't see
them its a must. On your way back go and see
the strategic Venetian town of Nafplion
where you can stand on the top of the old
fort for a dramatic view across the bay.
Things
to see on Spetses
Spetses has had a colourful history and its
aristocratic heritage is very much in
evidence today. Spetsiots have been master
sailors, successful merchants and in the
Napoleonic Wars, skilled blockade-runners,
earning huge fortunes that were poured into
building lavish boats and mansions. During
the 1821 War of Independence, the Spetsiots
gave their best ships and bravest people to
the cause, which is still remembered with
pride today and commemorated in the great
festival of the Armata.
Bouboulina Museum
Laskarina Bouboulina, a woman
warrior-revolutionary, is still revered and
celebrated in great style at the Armata
celebrations held every year on the second
weekend of September. The museum is worth a
quick visit if only to see inside her house.
It is situated just behind the Dappia. On
the promenade in front of the famous
Poseidonian Hotel is a statue of Bouboulina
by the famous local artist Natalia
Konstantinides.
www.bouboulinamuseum-spetses.gr/
Hadjiyiannis-Mexis Museum
Housed in a fine 18th century 'archontiko'
Venetian style mansion, this museum contains
articles highlighting Spetses splendid
history. The building its self with its
wonderful fire places and a stunning example
of "long drop".
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