It's no secret that many of our compatriots are rushing to rest in the Schengen zone. Greece offers the most favorable conditions, interesting excursions and wonderful thalassotherapy. The islands, tours to which many companies arrange, are the most popular resorts. After all, they are relatively cheap, beautiful, exotic, the climate there is warm, and the atmosphere is a rare combination of oriental cordiality and European service. Especially since it is necessary to get there by boat or ferry, and this trip itself is often a great pleasure. But there is one place that will have a special taste for those who prefer a typical vacation in Greece.
Simi Island is small (only about seventy kilometers in area), but very autochthonous. White houses with flat roofs, steep cliffs hanging over the waves, beaches (like ocher sand and small pebble shingles), evergreen pyramidal cypresses and a spicy smell of dry grass - it would seem that in this amazing? But the human eye pleases these landscapes. After all, despite the fact that for centuries this land passed from hand to hand, nature has remained as unflappable and heartfelt. The island of Symi (Greece) has its capital. It carries the same name and, as often happens with Mediterranean cities, is divided into the upper and lower parts. The last - Yalos - is a village near the bay and the port. Here come two ferries from neighboring Rhodes, as well as another vessel that runs around all the islands of the Dodecanese (where, in fact, Simi enters).
Tourists recommend to travel here either in spring (April-May) or in September-October. In the summer there it is too hot, and pastime for an amateur. What can the island of Simi offer us? Greece, as is known, belongs to the Mediterranean, and here they come to sunbathe, swim and swim in clear water. And to the best beaches from the city bay it is most convenient to get on a special boat, which here plays the role of sea taxi. You can ride around the whole island. And you can get from the port to another bay - Pedi - by bus through the upper town of Chorio. The most popular beach is named after St. Nicholas. It can be reached on foot from the bay of Pedi or swim by boat from the city port. And the travel time will be approximately the same. The beach "Saint Marina" is famous for its purest water. There are also almost deserted places with small coves. But everywhere you can find a standard minimum of amenities - umbrellas, sun beds and a bar.
Simi Island - Greece in miniature. The truthfulness of these words will be understood by anyone who will not be afraid to walk along its secret paths and rocks on foot. Climbing the mountain and the heat - a small fee for such "kryshesnosnye" landscapes. You can order a guided tour, which will reveal all the secrets and the most picturesque places. The capital is worthy of inspection. It offers a good shopping experience - here you can buy typical Greek souvenirs, as well as local exclusive items, such as silk items, which will be painted right in front of you. On the embankment it will be good to enjoy all the pleasures that the local cuisine can offer, - different restaurants and taverns are apparently invisible here. Basically it is, of course, fish and small shrimp. Of course, it is necessary to go up to the Upper City of Chorio, not by bus, but by five hundred steps of the "Beautiful Staircase". There, at the top, near the ruins of Castro's medieval castle, you will see the whole island as in the palm of your hand. And quite curious can visit numerous monasteries. After all, Simi Island (Greece, however, is all such) has many Orthodox shrines. And yes, I almost forgot. Be sure to buy a sponge. It's just a visiting card of the island. They used to be mined here, and now they just sell them. But it will be material evidence that you were here.