Astypalaia has loads of small secluded beaches, you and your companions may be the only people on a glorious beach! . The problem is accessibility. Steep rocky cliffs, hazardous dirt roads and long stretches of goat fencing are the main obstacles. Accessing these beaches is easier by boat in many instances, unless you fancy scrambling…

Usually when I am in Astypalaia I don’t have a fully functional kitchen, just a kitchenette with a three hob cooktop. Not a toaster oven or microwave in sight. This year I had a full kitchen and decided to use it I found this recipe on Diana Kochila’s Greek coooking show. I’ve included a link…

The dirt road we set out on was wide and well maintained. We followed the advice of a local businessman, who told us not to take any of the side roads that popped up. Finally, after a 30 or 40 minute ride the church and the Greek flag came into view! We had finally reached…

We have been driving around the unmarked, steep, rutted dirt roads in Astypalaia for years searching in vain for the Church of Agios Ioannis. It is nestled up in the mountains on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea and a sandy beach also named for the saint. Former obstacles to achieving our goal included extremely…

Even though it is late in the season, there are still plenty of thyme plants blooming in the back country. The low scrubby plants are covered with beautiful, purple flowers and busy bees. As I stand here on the dirt road close to Agios Ioannis church the only sounds I hear are the buzzing bees…

Kaminakia is one of the best beaches in Astypalaia, although there will be a difference of opinion on the topic. I prefer Vatses Beach, but…  Both beaches are rather difficult to access, as you can see from the photo below. This is the view of the beginning of the dirt track that descends to Kaminakia…