5 Bedroom Villa in Kea

SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR GUESTS

WALKING AND HIKING ON THE ISLAND:
Below is a brief list of walks that our guests at Villa Kea have found most enjoyable. We strongly recommend that during the hot summer months in Greece walking and hiking should be undertaken on the island either early in the morning (up to 11 a.m.) or in late afternoon (after 5 p.m.). Nonetheless, you should wear a hat and bring plenty of sunscreen and water on your trek. Throughout fall and spring, visitors will find that any time of the day is pleasant for walking and hiking. Our guests have found strolling or hiking Kea’s deep mountain gorges, rolling hills and valleys, and seaside vistas to be a uniquely majestic experience and one that a visitor will not want to miss.

From Vourkari to the Lighthouse: A small dusty path leads the visitor past the ancient ruins of “Agios Irene” which lies right below Villa Kea, only a short distance from the house. Continuing on this winding path adjacent to the crystal-clear blue waters of the Aegean the visitor can soak in the panoramic view of Kea’s quaint but bustling ports with its scenic views of ferryboats arriving and departing the island. As you ascend the winding road towards the lighthouse, the old stone path leads out from the mountain walls eclipsing views of the majestic Aegean sea-set against the dotted landscape of white stucco buildings with blue tile roofs that characteristically lace the island’s shores. Continuing on this path, the visitor encounters at a place called “Kokka” where a historic landmark stone carved bench commemorating the brilliant and heroic acts of Lambros Katsonis, a Greek sea captain who helped free Greece from Turkish rule in the 1812 War of Independence. The unofficial story tells the read of an incident when the Turks waited in hiding for Katsonis outside the blockaded port of Korissia. Nonetheless, Katsonis managed to make his infamous escape by ordering his crew to take their ships over a narrow piece of land at “Kokka” that is known today as “steno tou Lambrou Katsoni” (the pass of Lambros Katsonis). After spending a few minutes resting on Katsonis’ bench while visualizing his escape from the Turks at Kokka, the visitor begins his/her climb to the top of the peninsula and out to the lighthouse. The climb to the lighthouse is hilly but doable and the visitor has a choice of two paths but we recommend (for either path), good walking shoes, long pants, a walking stick and a hat to shield you from the sun’s warm rays (Note of Caution: be mindful to avoid some thorny thyme bushes you may encounter en route.) Once you arrive out to the tip of the peninsula and at the lighthouse, a balmy beautiful breeze blowing off the open sea awaits you. If this is not ample to fill your senses and delight, a small blue and white stucco church set atop the rocks of the jagged peninsula edge overlooking the open Aegean Sea will certainly make this last part of the trek well worth the climb.

Milopotamos: This is an easy path surrounded by rich vegetation. The walk begins at Milopotamos at the foot of the mountain in close proximity to the road that leads toward Chora. Along the way, the visitor encounters old water mills some of which still function. A welcome brief respite and drink at the first water mill will refresh you and make the rest of your walk or your return more enjoyable.

Old road to Chora: This walk begins from the same point and place as the Milopotamos path, and runs almost parallel to the new asphalt road towards Chora. This is a challenging uphill walk, and it usually takes close to an hour. You can leave your car in Milopotamos and when arriving in Chora, we recommend a short stay at a town square café prior to beginning your return to Milopotamos by bus or taxi. As a more relaxing alternative, you can start your walk from Chora and move down towards Milopotamos. Many guests find it fascinating to experience a walk through the same pathway that thousands of people have walked over the centuries when it was crowded with donkeys and mules carrying islanders and merchants from the port to the city that rests on top of the island like a stunning jeweled necklace set around a woman’s neck.

Liondas: Liondas is an ancient stone sculpture of a lion that it is set deep in the hills of the city of Chora and easily accessible to visitors. The road to “Liondas” is evenly paved and level which is easy to walk. Even though there are no signs indicating where this island treasure can be viewed, the visitor can navigate his/her way through the winding and picturesque white washed paths of Chora’s narrow and intriguing alleys. After passing through unique and wonderful shops and markets along the way, the road will take you in the outskirts of Chora towards a path that inevitably leads to Liondas.

Karthea:
The beaches, sun, seascapes, breezes and smells of the island’s flora and fauna constitute a paradise for the senses. But the site of the ancient ruins of Karthea are breathtaking to a visitor and islander alike in a unique and revered way. The temple ruins at Karthea represent a homage to the artistic and architectural accomplishments of the ancient Greeks on the island. The hike to Karthea is however the most challenging on Kea. It takes approximately one and a half hours to walk on a downhill road and approximately two and a half hours to return climbing uphill. You have to take a steep and raggedy path inside a gorge that begins on the top of the island and ends by the sea on the Western side of Kea. In Karthea, there is an ancient temple dedicated to Athena. The foundation of the temple and some columns are still preserved. There are certain essentials every visitor must take with them on this trek: an ample supply of water; light snacks, sun screen, a hat to shield you from the sun, as well as bathing suits and towels for a brief and refreshing dip into the blue relaxing waters of the Aegean adjacent to the ruins. If you plan this trip properly, it can be a memorable experience, especially if you like antiquity and archeology. It will take approximately forty-five minutes to an hour travelling by car from Vourkari (which is the port right adjacent to the villa) to end your journey at the top of the mountain in Karthea where the path to the Athena temple ruins begins.

Kea Restaurants:
Most of the restaurants on the island remain open throughout the week during the tourist season (June to August) but during the off-season (September, October, November April and May), they open only on the weekends.

Close to the House: There are two very good restaurants in close proximity to the villa as you come down the hill and enter the main road (walking straight ahead) toward Vourkari; and another very good restaurant on the corner where you turn left by foot or car to go towards Otzias. The name of the first restaurant is Enea Kores (Εννέα Κόρες) and is owned by Mr. Petros Dalaretos. The second is called Mimi's Corner (Η Γωνιά του Μίμη) (due to its location), and is owned by Ms. Kalomira. The service, food and hospitality in both establishments are excellent.

In Otzias: There are two very good tavernas in Otzias. One is on your right as you enter Otzias via the road from Vourkari and is conveniently located just across the beach as soon as you enter Otzias. The second tavern is a few hundred meters further up on the same road further back from the beach and called Annas’ (Της Άννας). Both establishments have fresh seafood daily, meats, vegetables, traditional Greek dishes, and are ideal for either couples, parties of friends, or families with children.

In Vourkari: There are one or two older but very popular restaurants by the marina and a newer eating establishment which is a bit more upscale serving fine cuisine prepared by a new young chef (Nikolas) and located on the second floor of the bar/night club called Vinilio. The food is excellent and the chef accessible for special requests, inquiries and dietary concerns of clients.

In Korissia: In the port of Korissia, there is the largest selection of restaurants, fast food, coffee and pastry shops, and ouzeri. The two establishments most frequented are Gimi’s (Τζήμης) pastry and coffee shop known for its scrumptious galatobouriko (Greek pastry with custard) and Lagoudera (Λαγουδέρα) ouzeri, just across the ferry.

Up in Chora: There is a small family owned taverna (my favorite), serving home cooked Greek dishes. As you enter the gates of Chora, you turn right and walk pass the fascinating archeological museum that houses many of the ruins of Karthea and other interesting and ancient artifacts from Kea. As you proceed straight on this city path, you will come to a large and colorful building that is the town’s Municipal Building, and in front of this building lies Chora’s main town square. The tavern is hard to miss as it is located in the center of this main square diagonally across from the Municipal building. You will see some lovely tables and chairs outside and a breathtaking view of the entire island and Chora’s valleys and hills. As you settle down for a scrumptious lunch and the traditional wine of the island, the problems of the climb, or the heat of the day, or whatever obstacles you encountered on your hike to Chora will quickly fade.

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