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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.

Greek inflation slowed to 2.8% in May 2023 compared from 3.0% in April 2023, 4.6% in March 2023, and 11.3% in May 2022. This is according to a statement by the Hellenic Statistical Authority. The drop between April and May of 2023 reflects a rapid fall in energy prices. Namely, prices fell in natural gas (49.6%), electricity (24.1%), heating oil (20.7%), other fuels (16.8%) and telephone services (2.2%).

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.

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.

Hydra is an island close to Athens, only about an hour away by ferry. Like some of the neighboring islands in the Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos), it does not allow cars. Transportation is primarily by donkey. As a result, the island has retained its charm and does not suffer from the noise pollution of nearby islands. UNESCO has voted Hydra as the “BEST PRESERVED ISLAND OF THE MEDITERRANEAN” because of its efforts to preserve both its buildings, its heritage, and its nature.