Spinalonga - The Island

Referred to simply as ‘the book’ in Cyprus, the novel, ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop is one of the most popular and successful books ever read  in Cyprus & Greece. The novel features a trip back in time to the Cretian island of Spinalonga which has a unique and dramatic history.

In the Venetian period of Crete, the Bay of Elounda was used as a safe haven for Venetian ships and a fort was built on the ruins of an ancient castle at Spinalonga. From 1669 the Turks conquered Crete, but the tiny island of Spinalonga held fast until 1715, when it finally surrendered to the Ottoman Empire. Homes were built and fishing and trade flourished during this period, before the Turkish occupation ended in 1889.

Most notably, the island was turned into a leper colony by the Greek government in 1903, which heralded an entirely new episode in its rich history. Spinalonga with its imposing tunneled access became home to many suffering inhabitants, who were exiled from their families and friends in Crete; most of which were never to return.

The most amazing part of this story, and indeed the novel featuring the islands history, was that in the midst of all of this pain and suffering, the residents created a wonderful functioning community: they refurbished the old Turkish houses and built, a bakery, a coffee shop as well as and a grocery store and a church.

The brave residents of Spinalonga transformed their existence with the power of hope and a great deal of hard work. In 1912 Crete was once again reunited with the rest of Greece and the islands inhabitants’ received some financial support from the Greek government. The financial support offered the opportunity to create a more dynamic and contemporary society; there was now a president, a priest and a teacher.

In the ultimate act of hope defeating adversity, many weddings were performed on Spinalonga, of which a hundred children were born – all of whom were healthy!

It is a wonderful place to visit; there are few places in the world where suffering has collided with hope to such an amazing extent. There are many interesting buildings to visit on the island and the view from the port is beautiful. So, if you are visiting Crete, why not take a boat trip across the bay and relive Spinalonga’s rich and inspiring history?

Bay Of Elounda & Bastion Barbariga

Entrance - Dante's Gate

Street View Spinalonga

 Disinfection Room

Lepers' Hospital

Lepers' Dormitories

House Interior

Market Street

Magical Mykonos

We all have our own, personal view of what heaven should look like, and if heaven for you is a Greek island soaked in sunlight and bathed in idyllic charm; then Mykonos may be the holiday destination that you have been dreaming of.

Your first impression of the traditional whitewashed houses, their shutters and fences painted a Mediterranean deep blue, could lead you to believe that Mykonos Town has been decorated, according to a town hall approved colour scheme. But the truth seems a little more dramatic, when you learn that the traditional lime whitewashing used to be a mandatory method of keeping infectious diseases at bay!

Mykonos town is incredibly pretty with a myriad of exciting alleyways and cobbled streets, each containing hidden treasures from traditional Greek restaurants to sleek and expensive designer clothing shops. The island has a wonderful peaceful feel during the day, turning into an exciting beach bar vibe at night. For sun soaked bliss it is very hard to beat this!

The island has a very checkered history having been ruled by the Roman and Ottoman Empires, before gaining its independence in 1830. It was once a very prosperous port as well as a mecca for artists, poets, musicians and writers in the 1930’s.

Today its most famous inhabitant is undoubtedly Petros the pelican! A wounded pelican was originally rescued by a sailor in 1958 and nursed back to health by locals. Since then there have been another three pelicans, but the guy with attitude in the photo, has been given the honorary name of Petros and he is definitely the towns’ most sought after attraction.

Petros is quite a character and seems to enjoy posing for photos with tourists. In return he is fed a huge amount of fresh fish which is paid for, from a special budget approved personally by the mayor. Catching a glimpse of Petros is said to be a sure sign, that one day you will return to Mykonos… as if we would need any more encouragement!

The Bay Of Mykonos Town

View Of The Famous Windmills

The Perfect Afternoon

The Winding Cobbled Streets

A Sleepy Little Island

You'll Be Back...

Roman Holiday

From the romance of the picturesque piazzas, the stunning architecture of the Trevi fountain, to the sheer splendor of the the ancient Colloseum; a Roman holiday offers an abundance of pleasurable experiences to entice the discerning traveler.

If like me, you like a little culture to add zest to your your trip, then a a day spent at the Colloseum is a must. There is so much to see and experience, and the well trained tour guides provide excellent sources of interesting information. I have added a brief summary of the historical background to this amazing  architectural wonder!

The Colesseum in Rome is the largest and most spectacular Roman amphitheatre in existence. It was built of concrete and stone, its construction begun by Emperor Vespasian in70 AD and finished in 80 AD, by his son and successor, Titus. The theatre could hold at least 50,000 spectators, possibly many more, who came to see the gladiator contests, re-enactments of famous battles, public executions and plays based on classical mythology. During the opening ceremonies, public spectacles were held for 100 days in which thousands of animals and gladiators were killed.

It was said at the time, that a cloud of blood rose up into the sky, which could be seen in up to 10kms away. Although very popular with the masses, this entertainment was regarded by some as a symbol of the worst excesses of the Roman Empire. The Colesseum ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era and was later used as a fortress, quarters for a religious order and as a Christian shrine.

If you are looking for a new destination or have already thrown your coin into the fountain, I am sure you will find much to enjoy on a Roman holiday!

Outside the Colosseum

Underground Tunnels for Animals and Gladiators

Internal Walls of the Colosseum

The Trevi Fountain

Piazza del Popolo

Perfect Pasta at Backstreet Restaurant!