Regional Guides

Astypalaia is the most western island in the Dodecanese Islands. Astypalaia has a history that is centuries old, villages with some of the most beautiful white houses in Greece, sunny beaches, and dramatic views from its castle. The shape of the island of Astypalaia is unique because it is connected by a narrow landmass that makes the island look like a butterfly from a bird’s eye view. The western part of Astypalaia is called Mesa Nisi, and the eastern side is called Exo Nisi.

Symi (sometimes spelled Simi) is located next to Rhodes Island. It is a hidden gem of the Dodecanese, and you will be enchanted by its colorful houses. The port looks like a postcard when you approach by boat, because of the bright colors of the mansions. The climate of the island is like the other Dodecanese islands - dry and hot in the summer. Symi is relatively hilly and has small valleys in the interior. The coastline is lined with beaches and rocky cliffs. The most popular place to go is the capital town, which is split into 2 sections: Gialos and Chorio. Other places to visit on the island include the Panormitis Monastery and Symi Island’s picturesque beaches.

Have you heard of Chalki before? Its solar electricity grid is the first of its kind in Greece, and it aims to power the whole island. The solar grid was inspired by the GR-eco Islands project, which is promoted by Greece’s PM, Mitsotakis.

Travel to Crete’s Eastern tip, and you will find yourself at Vai’s palm forest. Vai has a colony of 5000 trees of the Phoenix Theophrastus variety that are located very close to the water’s edge. A few smaller clusters of this tree are found in other areas of Crete in Preveli and the Canary Islands, but the Vai palm forest is the most impressive collection of these palm trees in Europe. The name of the tree comes from the word “vagia,” which means “rims of palm tree” in Greek. The forest supposedly grew from the cores of dates that were thrown on the beach by Arab pirates. While that story is unlikely, it’s more probable that these trees are endemic to the area and have been growing in Crete since ancient times. The land of the Vai palm forest itself is owned by Toplou Monastery. Toplou Monastery is the largest landowner on the eastern side of Crete. At this monastery, you can find a collection of icons from the Byzantine period.

The island of Chios is known for its biggest export, mastic. It is sometimes spelled “Mastiha” or “Mastixa.” It is known as the “White Gold of Greece” or “Tears of Chios” among locals. The Greeks have produced this sticky resin, which is expelled from the bark of the mastic tree, since antiquity. Mastic is known for its flavor and also for its therapeutic value.