Leros - Island of Artemis
Artemis - Greek goddess of hunting - in Roman mythology known as Diana
Situated in the south-eastern part of the Greek archipelago between Crete, the east coasts of the Cyclades and Turkey are group of islands known as the Dodecanese. The twelve most important are Rhodes, Kos, Klymnos Leros, Patmos, Karpathos, Kastelorizo, Halki, Simi, Tilos, Nisiros, Kasos and Astipalea (known in ancient times as South Sporades).
Leros is a reasonably large island - approximately 50 square kilometres with a population of 8,000 people. In my opinion it is one of the few Greek islands almost untouched by the ravages of tourism. This is not to say that visitors to our island should not expect a very warm welcome — the people are hospitable and friendly, but it is true to say that Leros goes about her daily business as usual only mildly aware of the outside world.
Panteli, where my husband Yiorgos, my daughter Christina and I live is a small, tightly-knit community of mainly fishermen and their families. Yiorgos' family have fished the waters of this part of the Aegean for many generations and continue to do so.
Our house in Panteli is within seconds of the beach and tavernas. These tavernas and "kafenios" cater to most tastes Greek style (sorry Big Mac lovers). Here you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at tables on the beach in-between swims. If you prefer, you can buy fresh bread and other supplies in Panteli and picnic on the beach or sit outside your room under the grapevine.
Five minutes' walk from here is the township of Platanos where you will find all the shops you will need while on holiday — supermarket, pharmacy, fruit & vegetables, bakery, bank, post-office and travel agent.
To explore the rest of the island you may wish to hire a bike from the hire-place three houses down from us — automatic scooters are the best bet for beginners! They also have cars for hire. There are taxis and one bus if you prefer to to walk during the heat of the day.
Weather-wise you can be assured of perfect bright blue skies and warm summer temperatures from May until the end of September. The hottest months are July and August (30s).
From Athens the quickest way to Leros is to fly Olympic Airways direct to Leros — this is a one-hour flight by small plane — approximately 58€. During the summer months there are two flights a day. The more inexpensive option for travel to and from Athens is the daily ferry which leaves Pireaus — cost approximately 20€ for economy but graduating in price if you were to have an "aircraft" type seat or cabin. Tickets for the boat can be purchased on board the ship or from the travel/shipping agents' offices which line the port of Pireaus. The same ship later stops at Kalymnos, Kos and finally Rhodes.
The return trip to Athens leaves every evening at 8pm and arrives the following morning.
In Pireaus you will find boats running every day to all the island destinations including Mykonos, Santorini and Crete. During the summer ships also connect Crete with Rhodes. There are also ships, catamarans or hydrofoils that run to Leros from Pireaus via Siros, Paros, Naxos and Patmos. From Leros the islands of Patmos, Lipsos and Kalymnos are all less than an hour away by catamaran. Kos is 45 minutes away by hydrofoil. Turkey is a mere 50 minutes' boat trip from Kos (Kos-Bodrum and return day trip is approximately 36€). Hydrofoils run between Kos and Leros twice daily.
If travelling from other European countries there is an International Airport at Kos.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Anne Tsakiriou
