Karpathos Kalymnos ferry

Karpathos Guide

Located in the Dodecanese group of the islands, the Greek island of Karpathos lies in the eastern Aegean Sea and is the second largest of the Dodecanese islands. Its relatively remote location has meant that the island has managed to retain many of its traditions and customs, traditional dress and dialect which resembles the dialect of the Greek island of Crete and of Cyprus.

The island's north has many rugged mountains but in contrast the south of the island is quite fertile, and visitors can see many wildflowers during the winter and spring. The island's coastal areas are characterised by beautiful beaches which tend to be quiet and are often nestled between the island's cliffs. The island's beaches differ quite markedly from each other which is dependent on the beach's location. The east coast beaches tend to be smaller and gravelly, but tend not to be too windy. The beaches on the south coast tend to have fine white sand as do the beaches on the island's west coast, although these are the most exposed to the Meltemi and are only really available when the wind isn't too strong. Finally, the beaches in the north are difficult to get to and are really only accessible by sea or by jeep.

Ferries from Karpathos depart to the ports of Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Milos, Anafi, Sitia, Santorini, Chalki and Kasos.

Kalymnos Guide

The Greek island of Kalymnos lies in the south east Aegean Sea and is located between the islands of Kos and Leros, and is one of the Dodecanese group of islands. The island is quite small with a land area of just over 100 sq. km but despite this it is the fourth largest of all the Dodecanese islands. The island's name has changed over its history. It was first named Kalynda, then Kalymna and then finally, Kalymnos. The island's capital is Pothis, although the most of the island's residents live in Chora, and is the island's second largest town.

Kalymnos is known for its sponge divers and sponge fisheries and it's inland terrain is steep and rocky and is popular with climbers. There are over 1,300 different climbing routes on the island that range in difficulty and terrain. Some routes are on slabs, some on big walls or on overhangs. The landscape used to be a curse for the island's residents but as it attracts visitors to the island it is now a blessing, certainly in terms of tourism.

There is a frequent ferry service to Piraeus, Rhodes and to the other Dodecanese islands. There are also ferry routes operating to the Cyclades islands, Samos and, during the summer season, to Chios, Mytilini, and Thessaloniki.