I'm planning (my first) trip to Greece to see my grandfather's village on the tip of the Pelion peninsula. My non-Greek husband is interested in Greece's rich maritime history and would like to visit a traditional caique building operation-either an actual working shipyard or a working museum. Does anyone know of anything like this in the Athens-Pireaus/Volos/Pelion area? Also, time is so limited. I'm thinking after a visit to the ancestral village for a couple of days I would do best to go over to the Sporades for the remainder of the trip and chill there. I know that blows off the traditional "must see" islands, but I'm not into doing what everyone says do. Any Sporades tips?
Also, the non-Greek husband mentioned going to Corfu (in completely the opposite direction of the village!). He has no special interest, just heard (30 years ago) it was fun. We are not party people, and enjoy mostly a beautiful environment, fishing and peaceful quiet.
Budget is not too much of a problem. Thanks so much for any assistance you can render! Annie[E=]rclaml@mindspring.com[/E]
Given that Corfu is one of the busiest tourist islands, it doesn't sound like what you are looking for. It is a beautiful island but busy.
The only place I know of personally that still builds traditional hand crafted boats is on the island of Symi in the Dodecanese. Supposedly this was where Jason's boat the Argo was built. A long way from the Peleponese though. I am sure you can find some boatyards closer. Just ask around when you get there.
In Spetses Island (just 2 hours from Athens on hydrofoil) there is a traditional caique building operation.
The whole island is very aristocratic and picturesque.
Worth a visit
I've never seen wood-boat building of caiques being done on a regular basis (mainland, cyclades, Crete, some islands in the Dodecanese etc), although you see repair work being done often enough. But I've also never looked around systematically for that sort of thing.
Corfu as a destination doesn't make a lot of sense for the reason that #1 gives. Also, it's a long way to go to fins something which is closer to where you're starting from.
75-80% of Spetses has been wasted by a forest fire in 1999 or thereabouts ... not as attractive as when it had its pine forests intact.
The sporades area is major package tour destination (primarily Skiathos and Skopelos), maybe not well-known to non-Europeans, but busy. Alonissos is some way from the island with the airport so is less busy. You might also be able to go to one of the very small satellite islands around the main three. The island of Skiros will also be relatively less busy.
But why not stay on the mainland? I haven't been up there myself, but I've heard (from locals) that the Pelion is quite an attractive area.
You lucky person. Pelion is the most beautiful part of Greece in my opinion. At the tip of the peninsula, the village of Aghia Kyriaki has wonderful fish restaurants. Trikeri village is beautiful - almost Cycladic.
However, the area is rather remote and you may do better to base yourself somewhere like Milina unless you've got someone to put you up. Getting to the Sporades from Pelion is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes there is a hydrofoil from Aghia Kyriaki, sometimes from Platanias and sometimes not at all. Frustrating as Skiathos is only 20 minutes away. If the hydrofoils aren't calling, you would need to drive or take the bus to Volos (2 hours) or get an excursion boat from Platanias in high season.
As oldpro says, the Sporades are a major tourist destination. Skiathos can be unbearable because it's the only island with an airport, is small and gets very overcrowded. Skopelos is larger and quieter and absorbs visitors much more easily. It's also the most beautiful of the Sporades in my opinion. Alonissos is a relatively quiet , laid back sort of place - good for getting away from it all but getting more visitors now.
Corfu would be tricky to get to - at least 8 hours by road and ferry although the drive is truly spectacular.
Further to the above, mrs g has reminded me that there is still a boatyard at Agia Kyriaki as you enter the village. Whether they still build boats I do not know but it is still definitely functioning as a repair yard.
Thank you, thank you, thank you all! Truly a community here on the Thorn Tree.
I'm planning on going in May or September. so hopefully will miss a lot of the packagers. I don't mind the ferries to get around so Alonissos sounds good, I'll look more into it. And Grecophile, that's the village my grandpapa was from-Trikeri. I hope to be able to contact the local priest before I go to be able to review the baptismal records in the church-if they are still extant.
I can still hear Grandpa's stories about the trip across the Pagasitic Gulf and then up the mountain by donkey. Hope the donkey's descendants are around for me!
Skyros is perhaps the most different and worthwhile island to visit of the N.Sporades, but is now difficult to reach from Skiathos/Skopelos/Alonissos, there is a round about route via Evia. This island also has an airport and even a charter flight direct from one European country.
Dear Maimou
I was searching information about trikeri old churches records from the local churches of this place and I found the following posted that you wrote:
"I hope to be able to contact the local priest before I go to be able to review the baptismal records in the church-if they are still extant."
My question: The priest from this old churches helped you? did you find old records?, what I ask you becasue my great grandfather born there in 1870 more or less and I want request records of him (baptismal records)
It is possible find info?
Regards
Trikeriotis
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