A Guide to Hydra Island, Greece
An hour from Athens lies an island of plenty.
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Hydra is an island of artists, poets, writers and dreamers (Peel Me a Lotus by Charmaine Clift is a good place to start your research on this point). Just over an hour from Athens on the fast ferry (book your ferry here), this small island has no cars, just sweet donkeys to ferry you and your luggage up the hill if you need the help. This isn’t an island of white-sand beaches, but rocky perches and tiny inlets where you can jump into a clear, sparkling sea. There’s a glitzy side to Hydra but we preferred to keep things pretty low key, dining at tavernas and hitting the same cliff-side bar for a sunset swim each evening. Absolute heaven. Here’s what not to miss:
We loved the Hotel Miranda, a converted sea captain’s house that’s kept it’s welcoming, simple charm. The rooms range from tiny to gorgeous and expansive, book a triple room if you can - they’re spacious - though most have beautiful views over the garden or mountain dotted with houses. Breakfast is a sweet, simple affair in the flowered courtyard with eggs, yoghurt with honey, fruit, a sweet pastry and good coffee. The staff were wonderful. You’ll find simple hospitality here, which is all we needed.