This year marks the 150th anniversary of the union of the 7 Ionian Islands – the Eptanissa, to which Kythira belongs – with Greece. On May 21st 1864, the British, having ruled the Eptanissa from 1809, ‘donated’ the islands to the new Greek king George I. In order to add[…]

Every Thursday, after the Kapsali Cave Tour and together with the tour participants, I go for a coffee at the old village café in Kalamos. This kafeneion, owned by the Kalligeros family, is located in the small village square, but it is practically invisible … There is no sign, there[…]

‘Κυριακή στο χωριό’ – Sunday in the village – is the title of a popular Greek television programme. Every Sunday, a different village and its local traditions and habits is featured. On September 21st, it will be Potamos’ turn. This day is not chosen by chance: every Sunday, all year[…]

The grapes have been picked and pressed. The wine is in the barrels. During the last few days, wine grower Stathis Souris has been very busy harvesting the grapes, assisted by enthusiastic participants from the grape picking excursion. Can we talk of a success? Oh yes, Stathis is very satisfied[…]

Now the warm summer is over, we welcome the cooler months of September and October as the more pleasant temperatures will allow us to take longer walks. This week, I guided walkers along the strenuous Potamos – Trifyllianika Gorge – Paleochora track and the walk through and around Chora towards[…]

The yearly grape harvest days are nearly here. From next week onwards, we will be organising grape picking days combining a useful activity with a relaxing and pleasant environment. The day is quite full : breakfast at Potamos Square, transfer to the Souris vineyard near Gerakari, grape picking for a[…]

The visit to Osios Theodoros Monastery is one of the highlights during the weekly guided walk around Aroniadika. Opposite the church, in the fir tree, hangs a large wooden beam with a wooden hammer, in Greek ‘to talanto’. This week, Papas Petros told us about its history and function. However,[…]

August 15th – today, throughout Greece, the Assumption of Virgin Mary is celebrated. On Kythira, more than a thousand believers visit the Panagia Myrtidiotissa Monastery. It is a very impressive and colourful event, mainly because of the procession in which the Myrtidiotissa icon will be paraded throughout the monastery grounds.[…]

Dekapentismou – literraly translated: period of 15 days, which starts on August 1st until August 15th, the Assumption of Virgin Mary. During Dekapentismou, many people visit Kythira’s most important monasteries, Agia Moni and Panagia Myrtidiotissa. Some pilgrims stay for a few days in one of the monastery cells in order[…]

Traditionally Kythirian beekeepers start harvesting thyme honey in the third week of July. During the previous months, the bees have done their very best. No thyme bush has remained untouched. The beekeepers are satisfied with this year’s harvest and, from this week onwards, you will find ‘the gold of Kythira’[…]