3 MIN
TRAVEL TIPS
Leros. Magic off the beaten track!
Blissfully nostalgic for all those unforgettable moments, I keep on going back to the summer of 2006, when my friend Yórgos had invited me to his house on Leros, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise!
Some would say that for an island to be off the beaten track it is a problem. That’s because they don’t know Leros: they don’t know its beauties. They haven’t walked along the coast of Álida to marvel at the formidable Castle. Nor have they spent a night on the same Castle to chat with friends while watching the night panorama of the island. They surely haven’t spent a lazy day on the beach of Vromólithos, playing around with Stella and her wonderful little dog, Cookie. They haven’t had a night swim and a fresh cocktail at the beach bar of Diolyskária, nor have they taken the day trip to the gorgeous little islands of the sea neighbourhood of Leros, such as Asproníssi and Lypsee.
By no means have they had a delicious dinner at the Windmill restaurant (an old windmill built literally in the sea) or at the restaurants on the beach of Pantéli, in one of which you can get your feet wet in the sea during the intervals between the mouthwatering seafood dishes served by Eftihía.
They have not relaxed on the beach of Tourkopígado until the moment hunger urged them to go to Dimitris the Bald’s restaurant and relish exquisite food matched with a romantic view to the peaceful waters of Vromólithos.
They haven’t spent a carefree night at “Meltemi”, chatting and dancing with Élena, Thenia, Sofía, Costas, and other friends all night long until dawn bestowed its magic colours upon the scenic bay of Ayía Marina. They definitely haven’t had the illusion of walking on the sea while crossing the narrow cement corridor that leads to the tiny little island of Áyios Isídoros that is adorned by the small solitary church of the same name.
They can’t have met those friendly, warm-hearted and broad-smiling Leronians, who are happy to welcome tourists and visitors, such as Ornela and Dimitris, on their island and buy them drinks or invite them for lunch. In a nutshell, they are not familiar with the thrilling sensation of spending a peaceful yet exciting holiday on a remote yet gorgeous island, with polite and not money-driven local people offering cheap yet
high-standard services.
.
I’ve been on the island twice again. Now I feel like it is part of my summer self. Even if I spend some holidays away from it, I know I’ll be back again soon to find good friends, new lovers, recreate, and fill my heart with images of dazzling Greek summertime. And I really miss it!
Dimmy Vass
For more information on Leros: http://www.leros.gr/en/