Island of the Week - Spetses
Easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Athens, Spetses is a favorite for Greeks and tourists alike. Pine forests cloak much of the island, and a multitude of traditional, horse-drawn carriages draw visitors through the old buildings of the port.Spetses is duly proud of its pirate queen, Laskarina Bouboulina, who raided ships for years but then turned her own fleet to the defense of Greece. Her home, now a museum, reflects her status as national heroine better than her mastery of the art of piracy.
Since Spetses is a very popular island, good deals on hotels are rare, so expect to spend a bit more than usual for modest accommodations. Various self-catering accommodations are also available on Spetses. The numerous Greek visitors assure that the restaurants are more than up to par, and the quality of the food on this island is a source of pride. One long-established traditional fish restaurant is Patralis. Another option is Mourayo, a music bar restaurant located in the old harbor area. The nightlife fits Spetses busy image, with plenty of options for the traveler.
Spetses also is the site of John Fowles' famous novel, "The Magus", inspired in part by his stint as a teacher at the renowned Korghialenios College.
In September, Spetses celebrates the "Armata" a crucial naval battle of the 1821 revolution. This features a nighttime recreation of the battle which is quite a spectacle. Generally, the key night is the 8th. This is the battle where Bouboulina's ships made victory certain.
Other Useful Links:
Spetses Accommodations
From Gradus, telephone numbers for a selection of Spetses hotels, grouped by class.
Spetses Nightlife
From GIS, a page of nightlife listings. Note: most are not live links and give just the basic address information.
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