Car-free Hydra is a Greek island idyll
Succumbing to the lure of a pastry shop, I order some honey-soaked baklava. I tell the baker I'm American. "Oh," he says, shaking his head with sadness and pity, "You work too hard."
I answer, "Right, but not today."
Hydra's the kind of place that makes you want to buy a bottle of ouzo and toss your itinerary into the sea.
IF YOU VISIT...
SLEEPING: Surrounded by beautiful, relaxing gardens, the Greco Hotel is a five-minute walk from the port of Hydra (moderate, www.grecohotel.gr). Pension Achilleas has a charming courtyard terrace and a veranda with a lovely view (budget, www.achilleaspension.gr).
EATING: Psaropoula Restaurant, ideally located on a top-floor terrace overlooking the harbor, offers delicious seafood as well as pasta and meat dishes (tel. 22980-52573). Taverna Gitoniko cooks fresh, traditional food and has seating in a beautiful rooftop garden (tel. 22980-53615).
GETTING AROUND: There are no cars on the island of Hydra, transportation is by foot or boat.
TOURIST INFORMATION: www.hydra.gr.
========
(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)
(c)2017 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
