Hotel Avra

A national day in Aigina

by Aggeliki

One of the several times i was in Aigina was this year in a national day of 25 of March. We watched the parade of the schools of the islands, with traditional dresses under the sounds of greek band.

Grilled octopus

by AcornMan

Since Aigina is an island, it's only natural that seafood would make up a substantial part of the local diet. When walking around the main town looking for a place to eat it is very common to see fresh octopus hanging out to dry in the Sun. It is served simply by grilling it and putting it on a plate - nothing fancy at all. I have to admit I never tried it because I loved the traditional Greek cuisine so much. Maybe on my next trip : )

Agios Nektarios monastery

by Lilasel

The monestry has been built by Aghios Nectarios himself-between 1904 and 1910 on top of the ruins of an older Byzantine church.He´s also burried at the site.
If you want to visit the monestry, make sure your arms and legs are covered.

Aegina

by Acirfa

"Aegina"

Aegina Greece is a verdant island known for its great production of colourful pistachios.

The Greek Island has a lovely capital full of fine neoclassical buildings and narrow alleys where one can enjoy fresh fish and excellent appetizers in the taverns of the fish market, in the heart of the town. The 5th century BC temple of Aphaia can be visited; it is located in an area full of olive and pine trees, overlooking the deep blue sea.

We found a taverna used by the locals and joined in their night out one evening. We also found using the locals bars seemed to produce better wine.

The only shame of it is that next to what are and in some cases, could be, very attractive local eateries and tavernas are let down by their lack of pride in their islands. Often litter and 'yards' are to be found on the doorstep of some of the places, not adding quaintness but giving the effect of 'dirty' in some areas.

Adventure on Aegina (spelling varies)

by JW77

"Jumping Ship--we disappeared!"

My then-wife and I were on a day cruise from Piraeus to three islands in the Saronic Gulf--Poros, Hydra and Aegina. On Aegina, we decided to let the ship leave without us and have an impromptu adventure. Iorgos at Tour Aegina found us a nice room...newly remodeled with cool marble floors. The owner also rented us an old 50cc Japanese motorcycle. We unpacked, then buzzed around on the bike. Had a wonderful dinner at Estatorion Economou...outdoor dining...slept well in our comfortable little room...took off on the motorcycle the next morning, went probably 5-10 miles up the west side of the island. Wonderful experience...vaguely naughty, since we weren't wearing crash helmets...
Later in the day, we found a nice beach protected by a huge sandbar...water was five feet deep by the sandbar...swimming area was probably 150 yards in diameter. Saw my first topless female swimmer there...was someone agog at how liberated the women were there...oh to have such freedom here in the US. We rode the Flying Dolphin hydrofoil back to Piraeus later that day. It was an incredibly relaxing experience on Aegina--nobody in the world knew where we were. I would go back in a second.