Andromeda

Day trip to Patmos

by vtveen

When staying in the summer season on Samos it is rather easy to make a day trip to the holy island of Patmos. From mid May till mid October there is a ferry service operated by a ‘flying dolphin’. This boat is leaving from Pythagorio at 8.00 am for a one hour crossing and back from Patmos around 5.00 pm.

There is enough time to visit the highlights of Patmos during the day:
- visit the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John;
- stroll around in the old town of Chora with its narrow alleys and whitewashed houses; nowadays an Unesco World Heritage Site;
- have a lunch in one of the cafés in Chora with wonderful views of Skala and Patmos;
- walk back from Chora to Skala using the old Byzantine path;
- stroll around in Skala and do some shopping and finish on the central square having a cool drink.

If you don’t like these (touristy) sights, just rent a car or scooter and discover wonderful Patmos or relax on one of its beaches.

For more info about see also my Patmos page.

Manolates

by mardaska

For me, this was the best village of the island. It has beautiful old stone built houses, narrow streets and little squares. It has a great view to the sea.
If you walk around, look down at the surface of the streets. White washed floral designs are all around!!

Sun, Sea, Stunning scenery Samos has it all

by PeterReed

"Island of variety"

We really struck lucky with the weather for early May - it was in the 80s all week.
Accommodation was at the Melissa Apartments - only 500 metres from the airport - but don't let that put you off. There are only 3 or 4 flights a day - none at night.
First impressions were of the beautiful wild flowers all around.
Nearby resort of Pythagorio was about a mile away - the front is lined with restaurants overloking the bay.
A bit too commercialised for me. Preferred Ireon - 5kms.away.
Hired a car from Friendly Rent-a-Car in Ireon and toured the island - went up in the mountains - fabulous views; visited little beaches with their tavernas

"Food and wine"

We found a very good restaurant in a perfect setting at Ireon. The Vuros is set a little out of the main town right by the sea. You can eat inside - what a shame - at the roadside or ideally down a few steps right at the waters edge with fishing boats tied up. The restaurant is run by a charming Canadian lady who has lived in Greece for over 30 years. Her cooking is superb - the fish very fresh, brought in by those boats.
What of wine? The local Samena Golden is ideal. If you prefer a sweeter wine try the Samos Doux - more a dessert wine. And, of course there is always the local Ouzo.
Due to the many wildflowers around the bees make marvelous honey which can be bought at many roadside stalls.

"Around the island"

Highlights of our travels round the island were;
Poseidonio - a picturesque bay with a couple of tavernas at the Eastern end of the island looking across the water to Turkey - about 1,000 meteres away.
Ormos - another lovely small fishing village at the Western end of the island.
Manolates - quaint village in the mountains;
Kokkari - lovely beach & tavernas;
Potami - woodland walk and waterfalls