What to do The island has two ports, Katapola and Aegiali, and plenty of small settlements inland which are worth a visit to observe the lifestyle of the islanders especially if you visit at the time of a panigiri (festivals held on saints’
AMORGOS Starbucks chilled classic coffee beverages Starbucks Chilled Vanilla Bean Macchiato is your essential ally for summer swims. You can find it at grocery & convenient stores and kiosks in Amorgos or any other of your summer destinations.
142–Amorgos
days, the main one being on August 15th). Amorgos is dry and mountainous, with its three highest peaks reaching between 630-890 metres high. Walking, diving and climbing are some of the islanders’ favourite pastimes and Amorgos Diving Centre (Aegiali, Tel:
+30 22850 73611, email: scuba@amorgos-diving. com, www.amorgosdiving.com) plans all three. The small company started with diving trips around Amorgos’ coast line and soon added hiking and walking tours, all led by experienced guides. In recent years, local authorities have mapped and marked seven main footpaths which connect the main villages. This initiative has proved a great success, with groups of islanders and tourists criss-crossing hills and valleys all year round. As you hike through the arid land, you encounter small white churches (ksoklisia), cisterns built to retain much needed rain water, and herds of goats grazing between shrubs. Between the mountains, the hinterland reveals the valley of Kolofana at
the west, the biggest on the island and the small valley of Katapola at the centre. Look up and you see the windmills standing proudly on the mountain ridge. For all those adventurous souls out there, you’d be happy to know that Amorgos has added itself in the geocaching community (an elaborate treasure hunt). If your mobile phone has a GPS, log in www.geocaching. com, follow the instructions and you’re good to go. The website www. amorgos-island-magazine. com has, among other island information, tips on geocaches stashed around the island, as well as a relevant map. A walk around Hora reveals the slow paced life of the islanders. People leave their doors open, whiffs of cooked food LiFO Greek Islands