Alonissos – The Hiking Experience

A traveler’s hiking experience

Alonnisos is the perfect destination for hiking either you are a beginner or an experienced hiker. It is the island of majestic beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning landscapes. The hiking experience is undoubtedly the most charming way to discover the wholeness of nature in Alonnisos.

You can find more than 15 stone-paved hiking paths in the island. It is the network of old transport routes from the era where mules and donkeys were the only means of transport. They can lead you to beaches, villages or even to the top of a mountain. It seems like the perfect hiking adventure, doesn’t it?

Prepare yourself!

Check the hiking paths of the island. You can search online, buy the guide-book that a Danish woman and her Greek husband wrote, or just follow some of the organized tours. Duration varies from 20 minutes to 7.5 hours.

Choose the route that suits you better considering your physical condition and the time. Don’t forget that the whole idea of a hiking experience is to arrive at your destination no matter how slow or fast you walk. So, take your time and enjoy it.

Buy a bottle of water and some snacks.
Use a solar cream
Put on your hat.
Grab a book
Grab your camera

The hiking experience is a reconnection with nature and yourself.

While you are walking, you will notice the transition from the built environment to pure nature. The colors are changing. You can hear the song of the birds and the concert of the cicadas. You can smell herbs, saffron crocus, wild chamomile, and mint.

Discovering this botanical paradise creates the desire to activate all your senses. The hiking experience elevates them. You are becoming more aware of your surroundings.

It is a pertinent reminder of how beautiful the world is.

In the southern part of the island, you will find pine forests and olive groves. Throughout them, there is a wide variety of bushes and shrubs. On the other hand in the northern part, there are mostly holm oaks, kermes oaks, maple trees and arbutuses. Last but not least, in the middle part of Alonnisos, there is a beautiful cedar forest.

In Alonissos, nature will provide you with everything with you need to be happy. Alonissos can keep your mind and soul present.

According to the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, to be happy is to enjoy the present moment. Right now it is just you and the world. You are just walking. One foot in front of the other. Breathe in, breathe out.

You can just be.

Finally, you can enjoy the stunning view from the top of Kalovoulos Mountain. You can swim at the quiet beach of Micros Mourtias. You can visit old restored windmill in the beach Yalia or eat fresh fish at the village of Stevi Vala. Truth is, that probably you could achieve that with a rented car or by paying a taxi.

But none of them it would be the same. Hiking nourishes the mind, the body and the soul in ways that are impossible to replicate elsewhere.

Hiking is real and poetic. Just like Alonnisos.

Aphrodite – “Venus de Milo”

Aphrodite of Milos

Okay, I’m not going to tell you about Aphrodite. We’ve all heard of the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure.

Then what is this post about?

A volcanic island in the Aegean Sea known as “the island of Aphrodite.” Since we already know about her, we can imagine the allure of this island, better known as Milos.

Now, everyone has preconceptions about the Greek islands and their beauty. But, Milos may satisfy and exceed your expectations better than most of them.

Have you lost your mind?

With all the incredible Greek islands out there, how could Milos possibly be the best? Let’s remember, it is named after the irresistible goddess of beauty and pleasure after all.

Aphrodite!

Now, let’s forget what we think we know. Let’s search a little bit more, look further, embrace our imagination and let her go.

Milos is more than clear blue skies, crystalline waters, and uniquely stunning beaches. If we just ogle at Milos’s beauty, we wouldn’t be appreciating the depth of the island’s magic. Don’t you think Aphrodite would be upset if you only saw her for her beauty?

For this reason, we must remember Milos’ villagers. Let’s see through their eyes. Let’s feel the salty waters, gaze at the stars, and hear the hum of the boat as it glides along the waves, just like they do.

Discover Aphrodite

These rock-backed villages are telling more than an ancient story, they’re calling us to explore, they ask us to feel with a villager’s heart.

We must discover the fishing villages, like Klima, and feel the coolness of the fisherman’s homes that are carved into the rocks.

Or in Pollonia, we can walk along the fisherman’s wharves and watch the bobbing boats as the catch of the day is loaded ashore. There is magic in their way of life

If you want to visit Milos, take our advice and feel like a local; feel like a hopwaver.

To become a hopwaver is to become a traveler

Become a traveler!

Once you have the travel bug, there’s no going back!

To travel is not only to vacation far from home. True travelers, they know how to leave the comfort of familiarity for a place made entirely of uncertainty.

Why?

The love for the unknown.
The thrill of new experiences.
The passion for adventure.

You book the tickets and the accommodations. You find the best island tour guide, then pack your things and set sail!

Or…

You walk out our front door and curiously wander the streets. With no plan and an open mind, you discover the beauty around you!

As long as you embrace the journey and inspire good vibes, there is no wrong way to travel!

What should I see?
Where should I go?
What is the perfect souvenir?

Let me tell you, my friend. There is no right or wrong answer.

Get lost in your favorite island without Google Maps, or Yelp, or even without hopwave! We are here to help you but it’s your trip. So, Take the lead!

Travel like a local. Allow yourself to feel the vibes of the island and discover the ways of the people. Don’t obsess over your tour guide, nor your trip advisor app. Just talk with the locals and learn about all the “hidden” secret places!

Unsure where to start?

You’re in luck. Hopwave is here to help you discover beautiful and unique destinations around the Greek Islands. We want to bring you as many options as possible for you to decide what is the “bestest” one for YOU! Do yourself a favor, discover the most fulfilling experiences and pick the one you like the most.

But what is the difference between the tourist and the traveler?

Imagine: You’re in a square in front of a famous monument. The square is swarming with people, all posing for pictures. Your phone’s about to die due to using Google Maps all day. It’s hot, and you’re wondering if this was worth the long and crowded bus ride.

Now, imagine: You’re wandering down an unknown street. You put your phone away, you’re fully alert, and the world feels vibrant. Not sure exactly where you’re going, but you’re being led by an energy, a feeling. While you feel the air on your face, and hear foreign languages, a smell of an awesome local dish tickles your nose from a distance.

A tourist is told where to go and what to do. A traveler discovers where to go and what to do.

A tourist seeks advice from other tourists. A traveler seeks advice from locals.

Don’t be a tourist, become a traveler. Because being a traveler means that you follow your heart, not a map. Maybe live off the grid, and trust your instinct. Always, the best experiences waiting just outside of your comfort zone!

By now, I’m sure you have the travel bug. So… What is your next travel destination? Just get into the mood and hop from place to place, and let the waves lead you! Taste the hopwave experience and let yourself ride with the wind! What are you waiting for?