Hydra Island Luxury Vacations

One of the Saronic Gulf islands, along with Spetses, Poros, Angistri, and Aegina, they say Hydra is the one that brought tourism to Greece. It’s the most unspoiled in the archipelago, with growth limited as new buildings aren’t allowed, only the restoration of old ones. It’s filled with narrow cobblestone streets, peaceful squares and lavish stone mansions built by Italian artisans once owned by important families that reveal the island’s wealthy past. Today, most of the mansions house museums, which along with more modest homes, are spread amphitheatrically around the historic horseshoe-shaped harbor. The island is like a time-warp, a place where hundreds of donkeys are used as public transportation as all cars are banned. Instead of engines, you’ll hear the clip-clop of hooves. Everything here is moved by the animals, from visitors and their luggage to building supplies and groceries. In fact, that’s usually the first thing people notice when they arrive as they’ll be up at the port, waiting to take on the next task. As you stroll the marble pavement, gazing at the countless churches and statues of the island’s famous heroes, popping into cafes and shops, you’ll also notice an especially charming atmosphere truly makes Hydra one of the most serene islands that’s just a short distance from Athens.