Cyclades
Islands
: Amorgos, Andros,
Folegandros, Ios,
Kea, Kythnos,
Milos, Mykonos,
Naxos, Paros
and Antiparos, Santorini,
Sifnos, Serifos,
Sikinos, Syros,
Tinos
Northern
Aegean Islands:
Chios, Ikaria,
Limnos, Lesvos,
Samos, Samothraki,
Thassos
Ionian
Islands:
Corfu (Kerkyra), Ithaki,
Kefalonia, Kythera,
Lefkada, Paxos,
Zakynthos
Saronic
Islands:
Aegina, Angistri,
Poros, Hydra,
Salamina, Spetsis
Sporades
Islands:
Alonissos, Skiathos,
Skopelos, Skyros
Dodecanese
Islands:
Astypalia, Halki,
Kalymnos, Karpathos,
Kassos, Kastellorizo,
Kos, Leros,
Nisyros, Patmos,
Rhodes, Symi,
Tilos
Other
Islands:
Crete, Evia,
Cyprus
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Saronic Islands - Hydra
The first thing most people from the modern, commercialized
world will notice when the step onto Hydra Island is that
there isn’t a taxi stand waiting to take you to
your destination. Upon closer inspection, you will slowly
realize that Hydra Island isn’t just missing a few
taxis, it is missing all cars. In fact, there are no cars
on Hydra Island. The coastline
is home to numerous 18th century mansions. You can find
a comfortable place along the harbor to watch the tourists
and native Hydra islanders and they come and go on
ferries or hydrofoils, also called “Flying Dolphins.”
Hydra Island stands out as being a little more refined
and upscale than some of the other Saronic
Islands. Still, it is one of the Greek Islands and,
as such, is a place of unmatched natural beauty and majesty.
In fact, Hydra Island is so beautiful it is considered
by many to be the ideal vacation destination. Hydra Island
is located in the southern part of the Saronic Islands
cluster in the Saronic Gulf. Still close enough to the
mainland to be ideal for a weekend getaway, Hydra Island
is also remote enough to allow visitors to escape their
normal life and experience something truly unique.
The most important part of the Hydra Island
history is the connection it has with the sea. Because
of this connection, there are pieces of Hydra Island’s
connection with the water is everywhere, from the mansions
to the museums. Hydra Island is a vital part of Grecian
heritage, and that is what is celebrated most on Hydra
Island.
Hydra Island is home to only one central town, Hydra
Town, is the perfect example of the history and cultural
influences that have created Hydra Island. The town moves
in harmony with the traditions in which it is bound, while
also allowing enough of modern culture in to encourage
growth. Hydra Island and Hydra Town seem to seamlessly
blend ancient maritime heritage
with contemporary culture. Except for the cars. Remember,
there are no cars on Hydra Island.
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