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INTRODUCTION
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Homepage
(links to other islands)
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We decided to take the opportunity to visit Karpathos again (3rd time on one of our favorite islands) for the remaining days of our holiday because it's very accessible from Rhodos (by sea or domestic plane) . It's a mountainous island with unspoilt villages. Again and again we have been astonished by its natural beauty and spectacular landscapes. Within a few years, however, more and more tourists have found their way to this pearl. Especially the capital - which is the island's main port has been discovered by mass tourism. You can, however, escape from all this when touring around with your own transport. |
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Map of Pigadia 
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Hotel Olympic (30 € - mid September
2003)We stayed - as we usually do - at Olympic hotel because it is well
situated and because we had very good memories of our stay there in the
past. The owner is a very friendly person and is loved by his customers.The
hotel is situated in a quiet part of Pigadia somewhat uphill behind the
OTE. The place is very well kept; rooms are simple but offer good value.
It also has a large swimming pool.
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| Map
of Olymbos
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Hotel Aphrodite (30 € - mid September 2003)Near the central square. I read some advice about this place esp. for the view. The rooms are very basic - but what else do you need in this very traditional village where you can't get enough of the scenery outside. And indeed the view on the riffs above the sea was spectacular. "A room with a view". I regret not having stayed a few more more days and will certainly go back in the future. |
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| Links to Karpathos accommodation |
http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/Turtleclub.Cees/it00004.html |
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To Kelari (Pigadia)
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Taverna in a busy shopping street which leads towards the sea promenade. Even at 10 p.m. you'll be lucky to find a free table. We had chicken rolls (kota rolo), meat balls (keftedej), fried cheese (saganaki) and tomato salad (tomatasalata) and were very satisfied with the quality. |
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( Pigadia)
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The busy place along the promenade didn't appeal to us. We had to change almost everything we ordered because they seemed to have run out of everything. Finally we had a simple moussaka and a greek salad. |
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Dramounda (Lefkos)
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We picked this place out of many in the small harbour. The owner - a lively entertaining person - helped us with our choice: chef salad (cabbage-cheese croquettes-meat balls) and a plate with a variety of fish (magiotiko poikilia). Excellent! An address where you get very good value for money. |
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Olymbos (Olymbos)
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In the mainstreet at a fork you 'll see an open window with colourful daily prepared dishes; it was so inviting that we decided to go for it despite the fact the place was full. Our choice: tomatoes, filled zucchini flowers (louloudia kolokuqakiwn gemista), filled aubergines (papoutsia); the whole menu including one litre of retsina (typical Greek wine) cost 25 €. All the restaurants can be very busy at lunch time due to the arrival of the excursion tourists; once they have left you can enjoy the panoramic view in a simple, honest and hospitable atmosphere. We went back for our evening meal to taste the other preparations and returned in a good mood to our room. |
| Avlona (Avlona) | Owned by the same manager as Olymbos restaurant offering similar dishes. A handy place on your return from Vroukounda but not so pleasant as the previous one. |
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Olymbos |
A photogenic village on a ridge where traditional lifestyles are still very important and visible all around.The first part from Pigadia to Spoa takes you along very fascinating landscapes; this part has been asphalted now. From Spoa on a much improved track of about 24 km can be done in a reliable vehicle in about one hour and will take you along a moon-like landscape. The alternative is to travel by sea: daily excursion boats leave Pigadia for Diafani from where busses will take you to the mountain village. Needless to say that the trip in your own vehicle is far more attractive and gives you the opportunity of staying in the village when most tourists have left for the boat trip back to Pigadia.In Olymbos - as well as in Diafani and Avlona - women still wear traditional clothes. The house facades are decorated with ornate plaster reliefs in a variety of pastel colours. The interiors of the houses are very typical on the Dodecanese islands and worth a visit. A lot of inhabitants sell embroidered clothing. They still use their outdoor ovens and it's a sight wandering around at the time when the ovens are being used. |
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Avlona |
In the agricultural suburb of Olymbos (mostly farmhouses) women work in the fields in the fertile valley. There is one restaurant, which is handy when coming back from the walk to Vroukounda. |
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Vroukounda |
The tiresome trip along a path starting from Avlona takes about 1.30 hour (one way). I didn't have the courage to walk the last stretch down to the sea as I had hurt my foot. Next time maybe. |
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Mesohori |
A village with a criss cross of stepped streets. At some places you can enjoy picturesque views over the sea or the mountains.Below the large church - built against the mountain side at the edge of the village - is a fountain. Just before you reach it you'll find a taverna with a very good reputation; the manager is the same as for the Dramounda restaurant in Lefkos - described in our chapter 'restaurants'. |
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Kyra Panaghia |
A very romantic isolated bay with a good sandy beach, tavernas and accommodation. The church is generally the reference picture to Karpathos. |
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Lefkes |
A very attractive hamlet with a succession of bays and good sandy beaches. There are a lot of tavernas and accomodation facilities. An ideal place for lunch time. It's always difficult to pick out one restaurant but we didn't regret our choice. |
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Be aware!!!
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When renting a vehicle (car/jeep or motorcycle) I advise you not to go to the well known "Giatoulis rent a car" (in Pigadia on the main road towards the north of the island). Despite the reliability of the vehicles, the owner is extremely unfriendly. We have been there twice because there was no time to look for another company - and again we had to argue about every detail. We also witnessed very impolite behaviour towards other clients. If you have an accident, it's every one for himself.We refused to sign the contract and decided not to put up with the abuse.We looked for another renting office and our patience was rewarded.Good prices, good service, reliable vehicles and very polite and friendly reception. |
