Nature graced Spetses with the riches of lushness – a green, pine tree paradise framed by the blue Saronic Gulf – and a place in Greece’s recent history. The cobblestone streets are graciously offered to bicycle riders and horsedrawn carriages, connecting the picture-perfect old harbor to the center of the town.
Marvel at the antique manors and the immaculate beaches, or tempt your tastebuds with the sweet almond cookies or fresh charcoaled fish, and let “MyOdyssey” guide you to secret coves and tiny neighborhoods for the finishing touches to your visit.
Spetses Must See
See the Anargyros manor, a perfect example of neoclassical architecture, with some decoration from ancient Egypt ; the home of Bouboulina, a heroine of the revolution against the Ottoman empire, now a museum; a Cote D’Azur style hotel, the Poseidonion.
Spetses Must Taste
- Those amygdalota (almond cookies) which melt in your mouth, leaving an aftertaste of all things good.
- At Dapia, the historic port of the island, fishermen supply the freshest seafood to a myriad tavernas by the sea. The sweet Mediterranean fish, grilled and sprinkled with virgin olive oil and lemon, is more than a must. “MyOdyssey” will be watching over you, here too.
- Impeccable sushi is served at the Freud Oriental restaurant of the Hotel Poseidonion, and excellent Greek fusion highlights the cuisine at the restaurant Aneton (Comfortable).
Spetses Must Do
- Ride the wind on a slow-moving, horse drawn carriage, the perfect way for leisurely sightseeing, enhanced by the rhythmic sound of hooves on stone and the old bell ringing every now; these will compose the theme song of your tour.
- …or ride a bicycle over a 26 km route on paved streets, stopping wherever you choose, simply to take in one of the spectacular views.
- The perfect way to explore the unknown is by water taxi or your private speed boat, giving you exclusive access to beaches devoid of the human element. After a refreshing swim and some leisure time on the sand, you may want to gaze toward the private island of Spetsopoula, owned for decades by the Niarchos family.
Spetses Must Stay
POSEIDONION
Situated in Spetses, a picturesque island 54 nautical miles away from Athens with a rich naval history and lovely beaches, the Poseidonion Grand Hotel has been a landmark of the island for nearly a century with its exceptional architecture echoing hotels of Côte d’Azur style. The hotel which first opened in 1914 was the brainchild of Sotirios Anargiros, a visionary benefactor who was responsible for much of Spetses’ development.
Futhermore it represented the cosmopolitan face of the island and soon became one of its famous landmarks and, what is more, rapidly became a favourite destination for high society, royalty and affluent Athenians.
Following a meticulous five-year restoration programme which has brought the hotel fully up to date with the finest facilities, fixtures, and fittings while carefully preserving the original architecture of the building, Poseidonion Grand Hotel, fully refurbished, re-opened its doors in the summer of 2009, ready to welcome new visitors.
The hotel comprises of two buildings with superior and deluxe rooms and suites, several with private gardens or balconies offering spectacular views of the Dapia Port area and the sparkling blue-turquoise Sea.
Moreover, Poseidonion Grand Hotel is the proud recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the 2011 Readers' Choice Award in the "Historical Hotels" category of the Greek edition of Condé Nast Traveler (having already been awarded “Europe's Leading New Boutique Hotel 2010” in the World Travel Awards and entered the “Ηοt List of Conde Nast Traveller” in 2010) and, at the moment, shortlisted for the “Boutique Hotel Award” in the Classic Hotels Division.
