13.01.2024
In the mid-1950s, shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos found his own private island in the Mediterranean, much like his rival Aristotle Onassis. The name of Niarchos’s island was Spetsopoula, 60 miles south of the Piraeus port in the Argosaronic Gulf. You may recognize the name because it sounds like "Spetses," which is one of the most popular summer destinations in Greece near Athens. Spetsopoula can be seen from the island of Spetses. When Niarchos found his island, it had a few small houses, a few storehouses, a chapel, and a small unpaved track to an estate about 500 meters from the harbour. These were buildings of Leonidas, the previous owner of the island.
The southwest corner of Spetsopoula was transformed into a beach during Niarchos's days and needed to be outfitted with a protective shark net. A small bar sat further up in the sand, which offered a refreshing shade for sunbathers. Refreshments and lunch were served here by the staff, who brought them with small carts from the main villa. A barbecue was set up for guests to enjoy a night under the stars.
The island, however, was also a place for infamous events, like the death of Stavros’s wife, Eugenia Niarchos, in 1970. The death is shrouded in mystery. Some versions of the story say that there was a fight between the couple. Eugenia supposedly shut herself in her room after the fight and was later found unconscious by her husband, Stavros. She had taken barbiturates, and he rushed her to a doctor, but it was too late. Today, the owners of the island are Stavros Niarchos’s two sons – Philippos and Stavros. You cannot visit Spetsopoula because it is a private island. But you can get a view from the neighbouring island of Spetses, which is one of the gems of the Aegean.
Spetses is one of the Aegean’s most popular islands among Athenians. It is one of Greece’s islands without cars, and the name comes from “Isola de Spezzie”, which means “island of fragrance”. The Venetians gave Spetses this name because of the many herbs growing on Spetses. The island is covered with pine trees and is part of the Argosaronic islands (along with Hydra, Aegina, and Poros). It is the furthest south in the island group.
The island of Spetses was one of the first islands to attract tourism in Greece because it had one of the first luxury hotels in Greece, the Poseidonio Hotel. It was opened in 1914 by Sotirios Anargyros, a wealthy tobacco company owner who made over 650,000 dollars in the United States, a massive sum for that time. He missed Spetses and sold everything he owned so he could move back. The Poseidonio Grand Hotel was one of many projects he started on the island to make Spetses a popular island for tourists.
The island of Spetses can be reached from harbours near Athens by hydrofoil or ferry, or from the port of Kosta in the Peloponnese, with small boats leaving every 30 minutes. Although you cannot rent a car on Spetses, you can use the local buses or rent a bike.
05.10.2026
Leonard Cohen's poem "Days of Kindness", from 1985, describes Greece as being a good place to read by moonlight on the terrace. He knew this from experience. Hydra was his home for much of the 1960s. He arrived in the spring of 1960, aged 25, and bought a house on the island, where he wrote much of his early work. Many places on Hydra still carry traces of him, even now that Hydra has become far better known.
16.04.2026
Greece is often associated with ancient history, island landscapes, and carefully preserved traditions. Less discussed, however, is another layer of its identity: its place names. Across the mainland and the islands, thousands of villages carry names that can sound unexpectedly funny or strikingly literal to a modern Greek speaker. These are not recent inventions or deliberate attempts at humor. Most date back centuries, shaped by geography, daily life, local dialects, and historical circumstances. What makes them stand out today is the shift in language over time. Words that once served as straightforward descriptions of land, resources, or communities can now feel unusually direct or unexpectedly humorous. Looking at these names more closely offers insight into how earlier generations observed their surroundings and chose to define them.
20.03.2026
Greece has long been more than a travel destination. For centuries, writers have been drawn to its history, natural beauty, and authenticity, finding in Greece not just a setting, but a source of inspiration that shapes narratives, characters, and perspectives.
19.02.2026
02.01.2026
In Greece, the holiday season does not end on New Year’s Day. Instead, it culminates in one of the most symbolic celebrations of the year: Epiphany, known in Greek as Theofania. More than a religious holiday, Epiphany in Greece represents the triumph of light over darkness, a spiritual “new beginning” for individuals and communities. For anyone living in Greece, or dreaming of owning a home here, Epiphany offers one of the most authentic snapshots of local culture. From the blessing of the waters to ancient folk rituals, this day reveals the deep connection between the Greek people, nature, and tradition.
30.12.2025
Crete is stepping into the global spotlight once again. According to Airbnb’s latest travel trend insights based on worldwide search data from Q3 2025, the island — and especially the iconic Samaria Gorge National Park — ranks among the most sought-after nature destinations for 2026. This surge reflects a broader shift in how people choose where to travel, live, and invest. Travellers are no longer looking only for beaches or city breaks. Instead, they are drawn to authentic natural environments, outdoor experiences, and destinations that offer both beauty and balance, qualities that Crete delivers effortlessly.
19.12.2025
Greece is known mostly for its pristine beaches and its endless summers. Also, Greek cuisine, with its unique Mediterranean dishes, is widely sought after. What might feel surprising is the magical beauty during Christmas in Greece. The country has a long festive season that runs from Christmas to Epiphany (the “Φώτα” on 6 January), full of local customs, food traditions, and small village rituals that still matter to people today. Winter destinations are also famous in Greece, as according to the latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel report (Wave 23) by the European Travel Commission (ETC), Greece ranks among the top 10 most desired European destinations for travel between October 2025 and March 2026, holding a solid 7th place.
19.12.2025
Spending New Year’s Eve on Greek islands is about much more than fireworks, food and champagne. It’s about little family rituals, centuries-old customs and the warm feeling of being part of a close community. For anyone dreaming of a holiday home or a new life in Greece, New Year's Eve is one of the unique moments to experience the soul of island life, when most tourists aren’t there, and you can experience authentic community moments with locals. As we’ve mentioned in an older blog post, cutting the famous Vasilopita, a special bread to honour the Greek Santa Claus, is the most important custom happening in almost every house in Greece at the turn of the year. A lucky coin is baked into the cake, and whoever finds it will have good luck for the next year or may even take a gift. But let’s explore a bit more of Greece’s rich traditions and local communities, from its enchanting islands to the unique customs celebrated on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
