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Day 11: Hydra
Day 11: Hydra
Εδρα
Εδρα
From there, we continued on to the ferry terminal for our ride to Hydra (pronounced EE-drah), rounding out our trip’s full collection of travel: planes, trains, automobiles, and now boats. Our vessel was a small hydrofoil that skimmed smoothly across the water, delivering us to the island with barely a ripple.
Hydra is instantly enchanting. The moment we stepped off the boat, we were struck by its beauty: a picture-perfect harbor framed by pastel houses climbing the hillsides. The island is famous for its near-total ban on vehicles; aside from a couple of small electric garbage trucks, transportation here still relies on donkeys, mules, horses, and your own two feet. Their steady clip-clop along the cobblestones is just part of Hydra’s soundtrack.
Angelos arranged for our luggage to be whisked away, and we set off on an orientation walk through the harbor town and up to our hotel for the next two nights. The hotel’s outdoor garden patio was a little oasis; leafy, peaceful, and brimming with ideas I fully intend to bring home to my own backyard.
We were warned repeatedly not to feed the cats of Hydra—a true test of willpower for several members of our group. By the end of the second day, however, they had all lined up politely along the path so I could scratch their heads on my way down to the boat much to other tour members' amusement.
That evening, I picked up dinner from The Onion—a 24-hour souvlaki spot in town and brought it back to the hotel patio. Another tour member joined me, and we settled in for a long, easy conversation about art (she taught it for years), the places we have lived, and life in general. It was one of those simple, perfect travel moments: good food, good company, and the warm hush of an island settling into night. Paying it forward after a similar experience last tour, I provided an extra charging cable for her to use after leaving it at the last location before tucking in for the night.
Be prepared to haul your suitcases down roads, over cobblestone, and up stairs. We had a little bit of a walk from our tour bus to the ferry dock. This was the first tour I have been on when every packed carry-on only, which made navigating Greece much easier!
Below: The island's mythical namesake!
I could happily spend an entire afternoon in this tranquil courtyard, losing myself in a book while savoring a steaming cup (or twelve!) of Greek mountain tea.
We arrived earlier than expected, so we relaxed in the garden area together.
Right: Lunch at The Onion
Ah, to be a cat on Hydra! They lounged on sun-warmed chairs and padded benches, stretching out lazily in the island’s golden sunlight—a perfect portrait of island life at its most relaxed.
Happy hour on the patio while we introduced our buddies to the group
Above: My breakfast buddy! This one beelined for me each time he saw me. Quite the gentle soul and he reminded me of a combination of my previous pets.
Left: Having explored Poland on last year’s Best of Poland tour—and with a little Polish ancestry of my own—I couldn’t help but smile when I spotted a sailboat named Gdańsk. Once the site where Hitler first landed and World War II began, the city today radiates a lovely charm—much like the warmth and resilience of the Polish people themselves.
Day 12: Hydra
Day 12: Hydra
Εδρα
Εδρα
Today felt like a little vacation from our vacation. When I learned no one else planned to go swimming, I took that as my cue. After breakfast, I changed into my suit and headed straight for the waterfront. Just beyond the harbor, I joined a cheerful cluster of fellow travelers—mostly from Australia—perched on a cement platform that doubled as a perfect spot for sunbathing and diving in.
The water was impossibly clear. With my goggles, I could see straight to the bottom. Schools of small fish darted around patches of sea grass, and I happily alternated between floating, swimming in the saltwater, and warming up in the sun. It was both a great workout and just plain fun. I brought my guidebooks along, too, and began to shift my mindset toward the next leg of my trip—Venice and Milan were already calling.
After a few blissful hours of swimming and drying off like a lizard on the rocks, I headed back to the hotel for a shower and a quick nap. Later, I ran into a few tour members and joined them for lunch before wandering Hydra’s winding lanes on my own. The narrow streets revealed their usual magic—tiny shops, hidden courtyards, and those quiet corners that seem to exist only for the observant traveler.
Pro Tip: Pack a very light pair of water socks to spare your feet as many of the beaches have rough rocks and/or sea urchins.
The perfect seaside swimming hole! As a confident swimmer, I could not resist plunging into the clear, refreshing waters and soaking up the sun on the platform.
The perfect way to relax while drying off in the sun: a good book, a sweet sesame and honey snack (what Angelos called an energy bar), and plenty of water. Staying refreshed on Hydra is delightfully easy!
This sweet girl always greeted me both coming and going from the hotel.
Greetings from Hydra, where I reveled in the laid-back rhythm of Greek island life!
As sunset approached, I made my way back down to the waterfront; this time with my camera. A friendly black cat padded over and settled nearby, keeping me quiet company while I waited for the perfect light. The harbor glowed gold, the stone houses warmed to honey tones, and the light bounced off the water in a way that made every frame irresistible.
That evening, I bumped into another two tour members who happen to live in my region back home, and we decided to share one last island dinner together. We found a spot under a vine-draped canopy twinkling with fairy lights, ordered spritzes, and lingered over a relaxed meal as the sky faded to twilight.
It was the perfect finale to our stay on this island paradise: slow, warm, and full of the kind of moments that linger long after the trip ends.
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