Hydra Island Off The Beaten Path

In 1770 when Russia and Turkey were at war, the Russian Navy flotilla visited the Aegean under the leadership of Aleksey Orlov.

In the house where count Orlov lived during Russian expedition to the Aegian Sea now there is a hotel "Casa Orloff ". The mistress confirms that in the house there are some subjects from furniture of the Orlov's epoch.

Unfortunately I didn’t find this house but I really felt “Russian spirit” in Hydra.

Beautiful stone windmills with coloured roofs as well as wonderful churches and chapels complete the architecture of the island.

If you will have enough forces to reach the most western extremity of the quay, you will see two remarkable windmills. Basically, you already saw them when your boat or cruise ship entered into the bay of Hydra.

They are well visible on the Western Cape. Therefore, having noticed windmills, I still being by the ship have made a decision necessarily to approach to them closer. Several photos were my rewards!

I would name Hydra a kingdom of donkeys and cats. About donkeys I have already written in my Transportation Tip. Their presence on the island basically is clear. But why are there such an amount of cats?

I have photographed this stage in the city centre at the main mooring. Thus I tried, that all cats would simultaneously got in an objective, but it was not possible. About the same amount of cats have remained for the staff. It is a pity, I won't be able to send them a photo!

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Although the island takes its name from ancient springs, it is now dry. While Hydra previously had wells, these were closed by seismic activity around the mid-20th century.

Today the island's water is imported by boat from the Greek mainland.

Vlichos Beach is a 5 minute water-taxi ride from Hydra Town. In fact there is a regular shuttle ferry that charges EUR 1.50 per person that departs from the harbour and also you can take a private water taxi for 10 EUR each way.

The beach is shingle / pebble and there\are 2 tavernas nearby for great Greek Salad and fresh fish. Highly recommended.