Kythera. The island of Kytheria Aphrodite! Legend has it that the goddess of beauty and love was born on this island. Another myth says that the famous Paris, leaving Sparta with the beautiful Helen, passed by Kythera, stayed on the island waiting for a strong wind to blow so they could leave for Troy and there he completed his love. It is no coincidence that Paris chose this island, as if you remember from mythology, he gave the golden apple of Eris to the goddess of beauty and she showed him the way to meet the most beautiful woman and from then on he decided to protect him and to be clearly on his side. So the couple stayed on the beach of Scandia, today's Paleopolis beach. A very large beach with countless pebbles of different colors, too many heart-shaped, that even today you can search for and find them while enjoying your swim in the crystal clear waters of Paleopolis.

Kythera has a magical, seductive aura, a sweeping energy that captivates and grounds you. All the days you are on the island, you leave behind you the basanakia, the worries of winter and let yourself completely in the flow and the quiet rhythms of the island, with the sweet and calm Kytherians to win you from the first moment. Anyone who visits the island will quickly realize their authentic island gentleness, their smile, their giving nature, the tranquility that springs from their soul.

Arriving by ferry at the port of Diakofti, you are left with your mouth hanging open as you see an incredibly beautiful beach with exotic turquoise crystal clear waters and white sand and at that moment you realize that if your eyes see this sight as soon as you arrive on the island, imagine what will happen next! At the port of the island, in Diakofti, you will directly encounter the famous shipwreck of the ship “Nordland” which on August 29, 2000 ran aground at the islet of Dragonares, in Diakofti, where it is semi-submerged in the port of the island. The currents in the area and the strong weather conditions change the orientation and inclination of the wreck. For the record, this wreck was caused , as the crew of the ship was under the influence of alcohol and, not being in control, ran aground on this islet.

The island has beautiful and crystal clear beaches. The most famous are Melidoni, Kaladi with its 162 easy steps, Chalkos - in my opinion, but I think those who have visited Kythera will agree that it is the most beautiful beach on the island - you can't get enough of swimming in its crystal clear turquoise waters! Other well-known beaches of the island are Paleopolis, Firi Ammos, the beach in the fishing village of Agia Pelagia. There are so many swimming options to choose from, depending on the wind and the weather conditions on the island.

The villages of the island are real gems! Small villages - settlements that most of them have taken their names from the families that used to live in these villages (Aroniadika, Friligianika, Alexandradades, Kalokairines, Mavrogiorgianika etc.). Villages with the characteristic beautiful whitewashed houses with blue windows and the frame around them with a characteristic ochre colour. Island houses with pink bougainvillea and lovely neat yards with all sorts of flowers and plants. Strolling through these little villages , you will see grandmothers , grandfathers, grandfathers, whole families reunited after a long time, reminiscing and singing while enjoying the coolness of their beautiful yards.

It is well worth a walk for coffee or food in the well-known villages of the island, such as Potamos, Karavas, Mylopotamos with the path leading to waterfalls (unfortunately this year there was no water in the river and these waterfalls due to the great water scarcity that affects the island, as in other parts of Greece) and of course the famous fishing village Avlemonas with its borrowed Cycladic aspect and the bay of the settlement called the bath of Aphrodite. All the images captured on mobile phones and cameras at that point are all postcards. .

For those who wish to do so and feel it, it is well worth visiting the two well-known monasteries of the island, the Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa and the Monastery of Agia Elesa. The first one is the patron saint of the island and celebrates on September 24th. It is the largest monastery on the island, located in the west, among many myrtle trees. From a distance, its great bell tower stands out, 26 meters high, made of limestone from the Myrtidia region. It was erected in 1888 and is the work of the artist Nicolaos Facea Fouriaris , who came from the island. The second monastery is located south of the island, near the village of Livadi. It is located high on the mountain and the panoramic view of the Cretan, Ionian and Aegean Sea is unique. When you go to this monastery it is especially worth reading the cruel story of the martyr , Agia Elesa , who was martyred by her own father, on the 1st day of her life.^η August 375 AD.

The town of the island dominates a hill with its Venetian castle overlooking the bay of Kapsali, with white boats sailing in the sea and visitors enjoying fresh fish in the fish taverns of this seaside settlement. From the castle of the country and from Kapsali you can enjoy the view of Chytra or Avgo as it is typically called. Chytra is a rocky islet , which is a short distance from the port of Kapsali. One can visit it by taking a boat from this small harbour and in a few minutes one can enjoy diving in the wonderful turquoise waters of the sea cave that this rocky islet has.

Let's talk about food now! While you expect to eat mostly fish and seafood on the island, it's the island's delicious meat that wins you over. In Kythera you will eat the most delicious stews with rooster, chicken , rabbit, sheep accompanied with delicious noodles. Generally all their dishes and especially their stews are all made with fresh vegetables and ingredients from the boschonia and fields of the island. Anyone who hears about Kythera , can't help but think of the famous oil and cheese products of the island, which now the visitor can buy and taste these nuts in many different versions, salty and sweet.

Don't miss to try the ¨archontiki¨ pastitsettes, the traditional pastries of the island that are very similar to the currants and have a quince jam filling. Another typical traditional sweet of Kythera is rosedes. They are also dipped in icing sugar and are made from local almonds with the peel and thyme honey produced on the island. Kythera is the island of thyme honey and this honey is renowned for its good quality, even winning awards in the past.

If you like cinnamon, try the island's traditional drink, Faturada, which comes from the Italian word “fatura’ which generally means the mixing of two or more things. Faturada is made from tsipouro, cinnamon, cloves and sugar (it's quite similar to rakomelo). This drink is also made from other fruits or aromas, such as mandarins or roses, etc.

Leaving the famous Tsirigo, the beloved Kythera, do not forget to take with you the famous "Sembreviwa", the native golden yellow dried flower that grows on steep points of the rocky islet of Chitra and is collected mainly in May, on days when the weather conditions are favourable, by a few courageous residents of the island. It takes its name from the Italian word ¨sempre¨ which means always and the participle of the verb ¨vivere¨ which means to live, that is to say, in free translation, always alive. And indeed, no matter how many years pass, this flower is unchanged in time and remains there to remind you of the carefree and wonderful moments you experienced in that unique place, with the wish to relive them again and many more summers!

With love of the heart,

Maria Mastoraki

Primary Education Teacher

maria mastoraki