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Following their recent viewing trips to Samos, our customers have written to us with extended testimonials about their experience of Samos, its culture, people the plot of Halcyon Hills... "As the 8th largest Greek island with, statistically, the greatest amount of sunshine, Samos has it all and more..."
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- History galore, with character and
charm in bucket loads - Picturesque towns on the waters
edge to die for! - Mountain adventures that can take
you back in time - Indulge in Greek cuisine and culture
Do you know, I feel I’m a slight connoisseur of Greek Islands having visited and loved them for over 25 years. I left for my 2 day trip to Samos with, I suppose, an edge of disappointment before I’d even arrived. This was a subconscious thought pattern preparing for the inevitable – after all, nothing I felt could compare with my favourite Greek Island – Skiathos. When I arrived on Samos, however, not only was I blown away by the beauty and varied landscape but also the mountain of opportunity on the island.
As the 8th largest island with, statistically, the greatest amount of sunshine, this island has it all and more...
The first morning we spent in Samos, we drove a short distance across the island to Posidonion, where we sat on the waters edge and drank coffee. It was peaceful, it was calm and it was so Greek. A deep sigh….. I had arrived. Greece was all around me in its unmistakable way. We drove on to Kerveli bay on the south east side of the island. A charming secluded bay with a shingle beach and trees creating natural shade. Here the water is a green you usually dream of. Surrounded by lush cliffs, the beach is home to not only a lovely taverna but two salt water ducks who apparently live there all year round. This idyllic bay seemed to be an uncrowded favourite for locals.
We drove on and through Paleokastron, where most people local to the land on which the 5 star spa resort will be built, live. Eager to see the land, we arrived at Klima, a bay that joins the land from which you get a great view of it. A bay itself that can only be described as ‘Shirley Valentine eat your heart out’ . A blue lagoon, with those fab blue wooden and rope chairs that mark your legs but that surround tables that are topped with olives, feta cheese and tomatoes that must have fallen from heaven. Greek music abounds!…., as with many countries and cultures it is so very distinct, so very very Greek.
And now, to the land... the shallows were turquoise, the bay protected and private. Perfect in its entirety and I just sat and just looked And now to the land! Do you know, I struggle to describe the land on which Halcyon Hills spa resort will be built because they are merely words and they will not and do not do justice to the beauty, the location and the phenomenal potential of what I saw and attempted to absorb.The shallows were turquoise, the bay protected and private. Perfect in its entirety I just sat and just looked.
So to an evening of contemplation and to the picturesque town of Pythagorion. Named after Pythagoras who was born, lived and worked on Samos for part of his life. Only cobbled streets made up this pleasantly busy and buzzing place. Many vaulted up and down the water front and the yachts bobbed about only feet away from the tavernas and bars. A plate of shrimps that were bigger than the biggest king prawns I have ever seen sufficed as we ‘people watched’ from Taverna Elia and discussed are findings of the day.
My second and final day took me to the other side of the Island 10 minutes or so from Samos town. Kokkarion was our morning coffee stop. Again cobbled and tranquil. Pristine in its appearance with the infamous bougainvillea brightening up the white walled, blue shuttered buildings. A smooth stone beach and clear water to dangle your feet in as you sip your coffee and admire the island of character that juts out beyond. Further around, steps take you behind the town to a lush sandy beach where life, for the middle of the morning seems a little busier!
Onwards and upwards to the mountains we went. Samos has the highest mountains in the Aegean. The drive quite spectacular, so open with vineyards galore down through the valley and of course, the continual amazing sea view. 10 or so minutes and we stubble across Vourliotes, near Manolates. The view over the Samos terracotta roof tops, the changing light and colours on the mountains from the setting sun together with the calm sea were a great end to our visitTraditional and with several houses in need of, or being repaired. But the joy when just out of nowhere a fantastic square with taverna’s and traditional Greek seating under shade, appeared. And yes, as though planted there for authenticity, Greek men sat playing backgammon and drinking Ouzo. Hikers point their compasses in the direction of sleepy Samos. Its mountain slopes and valleys are criss-crossed with trails. Almost wherever you go, the scenery revolves around olive groves, fig trees and vineyards.
On further and to what seemed a quaint taverna. Assuming this was it, we reclined, only to notice others going up some steps and then away. So we followed and we entered a Greek world in the mountains of traditionalism and culture,art and business, life and contentment. In tiny paths were hidden tavernas, where you could cup your hands to drink fresh mountain water, tiny rooms of houses were shops selling magnificent jewellery, pottery, herbs, carvings and more. Some were at work as we browsed and bought, some merely smiled and engaged in pigeon conversation, offering in their tremendously hospitable way a plate of fresh tomatoes. I quite honestly could have stayed, meandering in my new Greek chilled fashion for hours. However after a further plate of eggplant we reluctantly descended and drove back to Samos town.
So much in so little a time and to end our second and final day we walked through the back paths of Samos town and climbed steps to the restaurant with a view, aptly named STEPS. The view over the Samos terracotta roof tops, the changing light and colours on the mountains from the setting sun together with the calm sea were a great end to our visit.
The famous Tunnel of Eupalinus said to be the 8th wonder of the ancient world is one of the most astonishing sites in Greece. Dating back to 550 BC it is in itself worth the visit. But….I have found in Samos an Island which combines history stretching back to prehistoric times, tradition with natural beauty, major culture and towns, villages and beaches that cause that momentary desire to adopt that slow pace of life and retire 30 years early.
If you'd like to visit Samos and witness for yourself how beautiful and intriguing this island can be, contact us TODAY on
0800 1 303 101.
To read another customer's testimonial from their viewing trip to Samos, please click here.
