Travel to Astypalaia and Amorgos, Greece – Episode 815

Hear about travel to Astypalaia and Amorgos as the Amateur Traveler talks to Michael & Cassandre from @JourneyOfMC about these two less touristed Greek Islands.

They say, “We’re starting off in Astypalaia and Amorgos, which are two islands in the Aegean Sea. Most people are familiar with the Aegean Sea with Santorini and Mikonos, but these are more remote islands. One is actually in the Cyclades, which is Amorgos, and Astypalaia is in the Dodecanese island chain.”

“Astypalaia is known to have the most scenic chora in all of Greece. And when I say chora, that means these little iconic historic towns with those sugar cube houses perched up on a hill. It also has these smaller idyllic islets that you can visit by boat. And then Amorgos, on the other hand, it’s wild with soaring mountains. It has remote beach hikes. It has an 11th-century monastery that is built in the side of a cliff. It’s a sheer kind of architectural wonder and a reason to visit Amorgos alone.”

“European travel has really exploded this year. One of the things we wanted was to find some islands in Greece that would offer us a respite from that,  a relaxed and uncrowded experience.”

We start on Astypalaia. The main town has beautiful white buildings and is capped with an old Venetian fortress. Michael & Cassandre recommend exploring the town and then taking a typical boat tour to Koutsomiti, Kounoupa & Red Rock. This tour will explore remote beaches, emerald waters, and sea caves used to hide German submarines in WWII.

The next day on the island, they recommend getting out into the countryside and taking some hikes to remote beaches. 

On Amorgos, a visit to the Hozoviotissa Monastery is one of the highlights. This whitewashed monastery is built up on the side of a cliff, and getting there does involve a hike, but not as much a hike as the remote Agia Triada chapel.

Amorgos has numerous cliffs on its shoreline, more remote beaches, and at least one prominent shipwreck. 

Lastly, we spend a bit of time talking about the more popular island of Santorini, which was their 3rd stop on their itinerary.

If you are looking for a quieter, more local version of the Greek islands, consider Astypalaia and Amorgos.

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Show Notes

Michael & Cassandre @JourneyOfMC
Astypalaia
Amorgos
Venetian Castle in Astypalea
Dodecanese
Barbarossa (Astypalaia)
Astypalea Tours
Livadi Beach (Astypalaia)
Kaminakia Beach (Astypalaia)
Steno Beach
Plakes Beach
Tzanaki Beach
Akti Restaurant (Astypalaia)
Cucina Bar Restaurant (Astipalea)

The Big Blue
Hozoviotissa Monastery in Amorgos, Greece
Mouros Taverna
Tholaria
Mikri Vlychada Beach
Agia Triada
The Roadside Shrines of Greece
Hotel Villa Mathios (Akrotiri) Santorini
The infantile cemetery of Astypalaia
Shipwreck Olympia in Amorgos, Greece

Community

Hi Chris.

Is there a way to get a printout of the podcast so I know how to spell all the areas your guest mentioned in the podcast?

Joy

If you are reading this then you have found where you can find them in the show notes at https://AmateurTraveler.com or in the lyrics of each episode

Chris

Travel to London, England – Episode 813

Hi Chris

I was very impressed with your recent guest speaking about London so eloquently and managing to pack so much into such a small amount of time.

Can I add a place right next to  Borough Market, which is really worth a visit, especially for North Americans with an interest in history?

Southwark Cathedral (unlike Westminster Abbey) regards itself as the ‘People’s Cathedral,’ and you are as likely to find memorials to coal merchants, grocers, or ‘hop factors’ as you are celebrities.

However, your listeners might be interested to hear that John Harvard (founder of your famous University) was baptised here in 1607.

And my favourite memorial is the sculptured grave of a Mahomet Chief,  Bruce Two Dogs Bozsum, who was buried here in 1735. He came over to petition the king for the return of lands taken by the settlers but died of smallpox while in London. The law in those days declared that no foreigner could be buried within the official boundaries of London, so his body was carried over the river beyond those dragon figures which guard the old City Walls to Southwark. So this cathedral (and Borough Market next to it) lies outside the old City of London – it’s also free to enter, unlike Westminster Abbey!

Keep up the great work, and I’m especially looking forward to your report from your organised trip to Turkey, which must be happening soon?

All the best

Simon

Sadly that trip got cancelled when 5 people (including my wife) had to pull out for personal reasons.

Chris

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