Greece is always a heady experience of scorching heat, ice-cold frappés, tables laden with fresh salads, and small plates piled high with feta, coated in sesame seeds and honey.
The small island of Hydra, located just an hour from Athens by ferry, offers all that and more. Hydra is the place to purchase beautiful embroidered cheesecloth tunics, and if you sneak through the backstreets of the island, a photographer’s paradise awaits.
Few flowers can survive the intense sun of high summer. Visit Greece for the eccentric easter celebrations across the country before the country begins to bake in heat to see beautiful wild flowers along the coastline. Inland fields turn blood red with poppies as far as the eye can see.
In order to enjoy octopus legs, a delicious staple found on many Greek menus, the cephalopod must first be dried in the sun for at least a day—often longer. Greece prohibits capturing these creatures too young, so make sure it's a big one. The fatter the leg, the juicier and more delicious it will be.
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If you manage to work your way through the prickles to the sweet, deep orange flesh of the humble prickly pear, you'll be rewarded with delicious fruit. Chop them up with fresh yogurt for a fresh, seasonal breakfast.
The island is surrounded by shimmering turquoise waters.
This sight is one you will see in abundance out of season. Preparing the home for the heat of the summer is serious business.
Rickety steps wind their way around Hyrda’s coastline to lesser-known beaches. It's a bit of a trek around the lefthand side of the port, but if you can face it, the crystal clear water you'll find is unrivaled.
These bright blooms survive the Greek heat. Even if the bloom is scarce, the vibrant color is consistently breathtaking. Against the typically whitewashed backdrops of island homes, the flower become even more mesmerizing.
For a wonderful sight, catch fishermen drying their nets. Worn sea dogs sit patiently nearby, waiting for the nets to dry. The colors of the nets are beautiful, too. Sit back and grab a frappé to go to live like a true Greek fisherman for the morning.
The back steps down to the sea offer a quick cool down. Crowded in high summer, there is no gentle way to get down to the sea, which feels chilly when paired with 34 degree heat. Dive straight in if you don’t have the patience to queue, but watch out for the sea urchins that flock to the clean, rocky waters.
A refreshing ice-cold frappé is a chic (and ubiquitous) on-the-go summer drink. It's really hard to find a bad one. They're typically made with Nescafé, so the caffeine kick isn't too strong. In fact, it provides the perfect evening pick-me-up before dancing under the stars.
Idyllic views greet you from the high costal path. Pack a picnic of spanakopita—spinach and feta pie—and a frozen bottle of water, which will be conveniently melted by the time you arrive. Nestle in for an afternoon of quick dips in the clear water and watch out for spots of shade as you follow the sun.
