Information about Andros (Cyclades) Annelies Pelt, AnnaHiking, Greece

Transcription

1 AnnaHiking Information about Andros (Cyclades) Annelies Pelt, AnnaHiking, Greece Active holidays in Greece INTRODUCTION... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION... 3 SPECIFIC WEATHER FORECAST... 3 PUBLIC SERVICES (IN CHORA)... 3 CASH MACHINES (ATM)... 3 Ormos Korthiou... 3 Chora... 3 Batsi... 3 Gavrio... 4 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE... 4 Batsi... 4 Gavrio... 4 Ormos Korthiou... 5 GUIDED EXCURSIONS... 5 CULTURAL... 5 Cyclades Olive Press museum, Ano Pitrofos... 5 Archeological museum, Chora... 5 Museum of Modern Arts, Chora... 5 Archeological museum, Paleopoli... 5 Excavation of Ypsili... 5 Agios Nikolaos monastery, between Apikia and Vourkotí... 5 Panachradou monastery, above Aladinou (Koureli)... 5 Aladinou Cave... 6 Panagia Skepasti church, Chora... 7 (PUBLIC) TRANSPORT TO AND FROM ANDROS... 7 AIRPORT RAFINA... 7 Taxi airport Rafina... 7 Avra hotel shuttle bus airport Rafina... 7 Public bus airport Rafina... 8 FERRY TO ANDROS... 8 RAFINA AIRPORT / ATHENS... 8 Taxi Rafina airport... 8 Avra hotel shuttle bus airport Rafina... 8 Public bus Rafina airport... 8 Public bus Rafina Athens... 8 EN-Andros-info.doc 1/15 Annelies Pelt,

2 FERRY RAFINA ANDROS... 9 (PUBLIC) TRANSPORT ON ANDROS... 9 PUBLIC BUS (KTEL)... 9 RENTAL CAR TAXI CATERING AND SHOPS PER LOCATION ANO FELLOS ANO PROVATO BATSI CHORA AND NIBORIO Niborio Chora town centre GAVRIO KORTHIOS EN ORMOS KORTHIOU MENITES PALEOPOLI NATURE S WONDERS SQUIRTING CUCUMBER OR EXPLODING CUCUMBER OAK APPLES EN-Andros-info.doc 2/15 Annelies Pelt,

3 Introduction The tour and route descriptions do not pretend to be a complete travelguide for the chosen destination. The documentation offers the most important information for hikers and is dedicated to the whole period in which the tour is offered, also low season. In high season many more facilities and restaurants will be open. For complete background information and all sightseeing possibilities we refer to general travelogues and the internet, f.i. TripAdvisor. General information Specific weather forecast The nearest weather station is situated on Naxos, see: Public services (in Chora) - Town hall: Fire brigade: Police: Coast guard: Health centre: of Forestry: Cash machines (ATM) You ll find cash machines on the following locations: Ormos Korthiou - National Bank of Greece, shopping street parallel to the boulevard, between caférestaurant Sea Satin Nino and the post office (ELTA). Chora - Main street: National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank and Piraios bank. Batsi - National Bank of Greece, boulevard between Karanasos and the harbour. - Ethniki Trapeza, on the ascending coastal road leading from the harbour out of the village. The bank is on your left hand side opposite the entrance to the harbour. EN-Andros-info.doc 3/15 Annelies Pelt,

4 Gavrio - Piraios bank, boulevard. - National Bank of Greece, boulevard. - EFG Eurobank, on the square south of the harbour. Piraios bank Medical assistance Do ask your accommodation if you need medical assistance!! Batsi - General practitioner: Pharmacy: Gavrio - General practitioner: EN-Andros-info.doc 4/15 Annelies Pelt,

5 - Pharmacy: Ormos Korthiou - General practitioner: Pharmacy: / Guided excursions - Andros Routes, Olga Karagiannis, mobile , info@androsroutes.gr. - Trekking Andros, tel , mobile , info@trekkingandros.gr, Cultural Cyclades Olive Press museum, Ano Pitrofos Guided tours with video (1 hour) by appointment. There is no entrance fee; a voluntary gift of about 5 p.p. is appreciated and is used to maintain the museum. Really worthwhile! For the tours that pass the museum we arrange the appointment for you. Contact: Dimitris Chelmis (English spoken), mobile , Archeological museum, Chora Open Tuesday / Sunday from 9 until 16. On the Kairi square in Chora. Museum of Modern Arts, Chora Open Tuesday / Sunday from 9 until 14. Under the Kairi square in Chora, on the stairs that lead towards Niborio beach. Archeological museum, Paleopoli Open on Thursday from 9 until 16, free entrance. Telephone Small but interesting exhibition, which gives a good view on the history of Andros. Excavation of Ypsili Open on Sunday from 8 until 15 in the period May mid October, entrance fee 2 (2017). Telephone Agios Nikolaos monastery, between Apikia and Vourkotí Daily open from 8-13 and It s an inhibited monastery and really worth a visit. Situated on hiking route 6 (Vourkoti-Achla). Panachradou monastery, above Aladinou (Koureli) No statement on the door, but it seems open until around 14 and probably again from 17 in the afternoon. To visit the chapel with relics you ll have to address a monk to open the door for you. He ll also tell you about the chapel and expects money for a candle which you may not light. EN-Andros-info.doc 5/15 Annelies Pelt,

6 It s an inhibited monastery and also worth a visit. It s situated on the end of hiking route 1 (from Chora) and at the beginning of hiking route 7 (naar Paleopoli/Stavropeda). Aladinou Cave According to the pamphlets a speleologic experience and not just a simple stroll through a cave. Normally only open in July and August on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from and Also by appointment: call Mrs Kaladami on mobile number , or ask us to arrange an appointment. Make sure to wear warm and waterproof clothing and good shoes (walking gear); they ll take care of the rest. Entrance fee 5 for adults, 3 for children (2017). The cave is situated on the end of route 18a (from Agia Triada). You may reach Agia Triada by local bus from Chora (Monday-Friday). The AnnaHiking walk does not pass by the cave; you have to make a small detour. NB: if you want to visit the cave during your walk, you won t be able to visit the chapel in the Panachrandou monastery. So you have to choose carefully. EN-Andros-info.doc 6/15 Annelies Pelt,

7 Panagia Skepasti church, Chora Celebrates her nameday on April 16th. At sundown there is a procession of children with candles and Chinese lanterns; all the lights in the village are out. Also demonstrations of folk dancing and music. (Public) transport to and from Andros From the airport you take the public bus (30-40 minutes) or a taxi (20 minutes) to Rafina harbour and then board the ferry to Andros Gavrio (2 hours). Airport Rafina Taxi airport Rafina Information: Taxi stand at the airport: between exit 2 and 3. Travel time 20 minutes. Price 2017: - during the day (5-24): 25 - at night (24-5): 35 Agree upon the price before you enter the taxi and ask for a receipt ( apódixi ). Avra hotel shuttle bus airport Rafina If you spend the night in Avra hotel (Rafina) you may use the free shuttle bus. We ll arrange this for you at booking. EN-Andros-info.doc 7/15 Annelies Pelt,

8 Public bus airport Rafina - The regional buses to Rafina and Markopoulo depart on the ground floor ( Arrivals ), between exit 2 and 3, opposite to the Airport Hotel. - Information: route Αεροδρόμιο Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος-Ραφήνα, orange/white buses. - Price 2017: 5,00. Travel time minutes. - Schedule 2018 airport-rafina (check the website!!): 4:40, 5:35, 6:10*, 7:05, 8:50, 10:30, 12:20, 13:20*, 14:10, 15:20, 16:30, 18:00, 19:20, 20:45, 22:20 * not Saturday, Sunday and Holidays Ferry to Andros There are several agencies where you may get your tickets, all on the road underneath Avra hotel towards the harbour. The prices are the same everywhere. We usually work with Togias Travel, see Rafina airport / Athens Taxi Rafina airport Taxi stand: immediately outside of the harbour. Travel time 20 minutes. RadioTaxi in Rafina: Agree upon the price before you enter the taxi and ask for a receipt ( apódixi ). Avra hotel shuttle bus airport Rafina If you spend the night in Avra hotel (Rafina) you may use the free shuttle bus. Ask at the reception. Public bus Rafina airport - Bus stop in Rafina: inside of the harbour, on the right side of the exit. You buy your ticket in the kiosk. Telephone: Informatie: route Ραφήνα-Αεροδρόμιο Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος, bussen: oranje/wit. - Prijs 2016: 5,00. Reistijd globaal minuten. - Vertrektijden 2018 Rafina-luchthaven (check the website!!): 5:10, 6:00, 6:45*, 8:00, 9:30, 11:30, 12:40*, 13:00, 14:40, 16:00, 17:20, 18:45, 20:00, 21:15. * not Saturday, Sunday and Holidays Public bus Rafina Athens - Bus stop in Rafina: inside of the harbour, on the right side of the exit. You buy your ticket in the kiosk. Telephone: Terminus: Pedio tou Areos, Mars park (close to the National Museum), big bus hub. EN-Andros-info.doc 8/15 Annelies Pelt,

9 - Schedule 2018 Rafina-Athens weekdays (check the website!!): 5:55, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:20, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:45, 19:30, 20:15, 21:00, 21:45, 22:30 - Schedule 2018 Rafina-Athens weekend (check the website!!): 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:15, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 21:45, 22:30 Ferry Rafina Andros Sailing time is 2 hours. There are two companies that sail on a regular basis to Andros and Tinos (and beyond): Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries. Normally there is at least one morning ferry and at least one afternoon ferry, and sometimes also one in the evening. The price is 2018 is 19 to Andros and 27 to Tinos, per person one way, on deck or in the lounge. All kinds of drinks and snacks are available. You may upgrade to Business Class to enter the Business lounge with guaranteed and good chair; handy when the ship is full and the weather too bad to sit outside. - Overview of schedules: Greek Travel Pages on - Agent Rafina: Togias Shipping Agency, Antonios Togias, telefoon: , 23151, 23561, fax: , atogias@hol.gr, - FastFerries: - Golden Star Ferries: (Public) transport on Andros Public bus (KTEL) - There are bus schedules all year round between Gavrio and Chora and between Gavrio and Ormos Korthiou. The schedule is made to fit the ferry schedule to and from Gavrio. EN-Andros-info.doc 9/15 Annelies Pelt,

10 - There is a regulare schedule between Ormos Korthiou and Chora v.v. (once or twice a day). In of the high season this is a direct bus, but otherwise you have to change bus in Stavropeda. This is quite a long trip and the first opportunity is around 10:30. - All interlocal buses use the main roads. - There are local buses from Chora to Menites, Aladinou, Vourkoti etc: see the information panel at Chora bus station. These only go during weekdays and usually not on times that interest hikers. - KTEL Andros telephone: / Rental car There are a couple of agencies. We work with car rental Escape in Andros, Rent a Car & Bike, by Violetta and Nikolaos Tridima and their daughter Efrosini, in Gavrio. Telephone , mobile , tridauto@otenet.gr Taxi 1. Chora: - Radio taxi, tel , taxi stand on the central square Goulandri close to the KTEL bus station. - Our taxi driver is Antonis Salouvardis, mobile Friendly and helpful man, speaks English. From the town centre to Myrto Studios is 5 excl. VAT. 2. Batsí: Petros Petris, 24-hour service, mobile Friendly and helpful man, speaks English. 3. Gavrio: Radio taxi, tel , or Petros Petris (zie Batsi). 4. Ormos Korthiou: - Taxi office, tel , taxi stand next to the roundabout. - Our taxi driver is Vaso Benas, mobile Friendly, enthousiast and helpful lady, speaks some English. Catering and shops per location Ano Fellos - 6 km north of Gavrio: Taverna Ο Κοσσης (O Kossis), owners are shepherds. Very good, especially the lamb dishes. Only to be reached by taxi or (rental) car! Mobile Ano Provato - Very advisable is the taverna το Μπαλκόνι του Αιγαίου (To Balkóni tou Egéou = the balcony to the Aegean See). Local dishes for reasonable prices. Alas not too often open on the times the hikers pass by. Tel / They also have a meat and cheese shop in Batsi, tel EN-Andros-info.doc 10/15 Annelies Pelt,

11 Batsi - Breakfast, lunch snacks and sandwiches at bakery Goonia, along the boulevard close to hotel Karanasos. Owners Dimitris and Georgia. Tel en Open all year. - Next door is café Asterix: also offers breakfast service with eggs, fresh juice etc. Lovely place to spend the evening with sea view, open all year. - The best place for diner is taverna Stamatis, on the harbour opposite of the short pier: take the stairs next to the bakery shop. There is a semi-outdoor space with views over the harbour and an indoor space. Open all year for lunch and dinner. Owner Yiannis, tel , mobile Chora and Niborio The best places to eat are along Niborio beach and in town. If you thing walking back to Myrto (1.5km) is too strenuous after a good meal, take a cab for around 5. The boulevard is well lit and you may take a shortcut (see the route descriptions): only for this path you must bring a torch. Niborio - At the corner of the boulevard and the ascending road to Myrtos is café Del Arte: cosy place, good icecream and coffee, also open outside of the season. Tel Walking from Myrto to Chora along Niborio beach you pass a little bakery shop where in high season you may buy sandwiches, pastry and soft drinks. Closed on Sundays. - A little bit further is supermarket Aristo Atlantik: broad selection, including fresh bread, and closest to Myrto Studios. Open the whole day all year, also Sundays and festive days, only the morning of Agia Skepasti closed during morning service. - Next to Atlantik is restaurant Archipelagos, Αρχιπελαγος. Broad selection in tasty stews, visible on the counter, and grilled dishes. Tip: the froutália (omelet with potato and local spicy sausage) is nowhere better to be found and is being made fresh every day! Also take-away if you prefer to eat in your apartment. Open all year. Τelephone Walking from Niborio beach to Chora you pass a parking lot and a concrete bridge. Immediately after the bridge you ll see a concrete boardwalk with a couple of restaurants. They all have an entrance from the main street and a back entrance with outdoor space near the sea. - The first restaurant ΕΝΑΛΙΟΝ (Enalion) is relatively high-priced and not much to our taste. The outdoor space in the corner is very well situated though. - Next is snackbar cum grill restaurant O Λούης (Louis, after the owner). Informal, cosy and good food. Lovely salad! Also take-away and delivery if you prefer to eat in your apartment. Open all year. Tel , mobile Third is restaurant Ακτη (Akti): mostly pizza and pasta. Good selection and quality and reasonable price. Tel EN-Andros-info.doc 11/15 Annelies Pelt,

12 - Next is restaurant Μαδούρης (Madouris): good kitchen for a reasonable price. Chora town centre - Patisserie Λυγίζος (Ligizos), on the pedestrian street just after Gouliandri square. Lovely cakes, chocolates and icecream to take away or eat in the shop accompanied by a coffee or tea. The owner also runs the accommodation in Menites. - Taverna Τα Σκαλακια (Skalakia = steps). Along the pedestrian street, next to Goulandri square and before the basilica, up the stairs. Good local dishes at a good price on a lovely location. Owner Chariklia. Tel , mobile Restaurant Ενδοχώρα (Endochora), a bit further down the pedestrian street, has a creative and exquisite kitchen with local products. The best restaurant in Chora! Outside is a small space with 3 tables, so do make a reservation! Tel , mobile or (Mr Kimomas). - Opposite Endochora is café-ouzeri Το Στέκι των Φίλων (To steki ton filon, or The friend s place). Cosy atmosphere, splendid mezedes (finger food) with your drink! - Restaurant Η Παρεα (I Parea), on Kairi square near the old town: relatively highpriced and we didn t quite like the taste. But do try and let us know if you disagree! - Recommended but we didn t visit it because it s not often open outside the tourist season: Ο Nόνας (O Nonas), on the boulevard next to the derelict hotel Xenia, on the corner at the stairs. Owner Michalis Kiriaki, tel , mobile Café-hotel Niki, just before Kairi square for varied lunch plates. Tel If you sit outside mind where you sit, for the border with Ermis is not very clear. - Café-patisserie Ερμης (Ermis) on the Kairi square for home-made ice cream, pastry and sweets, also coffee and bar. Tel , mobile Supermarket Goneos and opposite Marinopoulos/Carrefour, on the main road towards Gavrio. Goneos is open from 8 until 21:30, closed on Sundays and festive days; Marinoupoulos more or less has the same opening times. Gavrio - For local products go to the grocery of Petros Zouberis, immediately left of hotel Galaxy. Tel Bakery Kokkini, on the harbour left of the port of call, good selection of sandwiches and coffees. Tel , open vanaf 7 uur. - Bakery Petraki, on the harbour left of the port of call. Sold us without a second thought yesterday s sandwiches for fresh ones. - Restaurant Πάμε Βαγγέλη (Pame Vangeli), on the harbour. Excellent kitchen, good prices. Tel EN-Andros-info.doc 12/15 Annelies Pelt,

13 - Fish restaurant Sails (also meats and stews), on the harbour. Tel Has his own fishing boat and offers fresh fish. - Grill joint Σουβλάκια... και Άλλα (Souvlakia kai Alla = souvlakis and more), for good giros, souvlakis etc. Almost straight opposite of the port of call. T: (also delivery). - Café Ευτυχια (Evtichia), from the port of call a bit to the right. Good mezedes (finger food), coffee, pancakes, lunch etc. Excellent home-made lemonade and friendly service. Tel Restaurant Chalas Three Stars, on the main road out of Gavrio towards hotel Ostria and Andros Holiday Hotel. Down-to-earth, mostly stews that you may choose from the counter. Good price for the quality. Doesn t look very cosy but it s good. Korthios en Ormos Korthiou - Taverna Λιθοδομή (Lithodomi), Nikos and Elena Zacharioudaki. Good taverna, also for breakfast and lunch. Open all year, every day from 7:30. Tel Café Centro, next to the bus station and taxi stand, also for plain breakfast (tosti). - Tapas Bar Allegria, café with Spanish tapas, also serves breakfast, close to Villa Mina and the harbour, nice view on the harbour. Tel , allegria.korthi@gmail.com. EN-Andros-info.doc 13/15 Annelies Pelt,

14 - Grill-taverna O Antonis, Ormos Korthiou, tel Good food for a low price. Opposite of Sea Satin. - Café-restaurant Sea Satin Nino, Ormos Korthiou, tel , info@seasatinnino.com. Cosy spot on the little square, good lunches, high-priced. Menites - Café-restaurant Πηγές Καρυδιές (Piges Karidies), just beyond the springs underneath the church, almost always open. If you arrive early out of the toerist season they need some time to start the espresso machine. Enjoying the view from the outdoor space this is not really a problem, unless you re in a hurry. Owner Varvara Tsakali, very friendly. Tel , mobile Her daughter speaks English, Mrs Varvara only Greek. Paleopoli - On the main road from Gavrio towards Paleopoli: snackbar-ouzeri Το Λιοτρίβι (To Liotrivi = Olive Press), very often open for drinks and snacks. Tel Nature s wonders Squirting cucumber or exploding cucumber The squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) is a plant from the cucumber family. Mind the fruits! When ripe they are explosive and if something (your foot or walking-stick) touches the fruit it squirts a stream of mucilaginous liquid containing its seeds meters away. The liquid irritates the skin and if you should have a seed in your eye, immediately consult a doctor! It s fun to try, but use a stick and wear glasses! Oak apples On various spots you ll find big oak apples on the ground. Looking up you ll see them hanging from the oak leaves. Mostly they origin from a gall wasp that laid her eggs in the leaf. The plant reacts by making a growth around the eggs, which serves as food for the larvae. EN-Andros-info.doc 14/15 Annelies Pelt,

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