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Independent travelers on a short time schedule face a dilemma - stay in Athens and see the "big" sites properly, or flee to a remote island , spending the better part of a day in transit each way.

Luckily, Greece has a number of islands which combine proximity to Athens with all the pleasures of a much more remote Greek island. The Greek island of Poros is one of these, doubly blessed by easy access to Athens and the entire Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Officially part of the Saronic Gulf group of islands, Poros is separated from the Peloponnese by only a few hundred feet of water. In ancient times, it was reportedly a wet but easy walk from the island to the mainland. Now, it's a cheap water taxi ride over to the town of Galatas, a cheerful small town offering car rentals, buses to Athens and elsewhere, restaurants, and shops.

Locals and permanent expatriates enjoy Greek coffee and cognac at Georges Taverna overlooking the harbor. One caution when you make your plans - don't confuse Poros with Paros, an equally pleasant but very different island.

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Photos by deTraci Regula. Text Copyright 2003 by deTraci Regula and About.com. All rights reserved.