INTERNATIONAL TOUR OPERATOR
Since 1985

KARPATHOS & KASSOS

How to get there Useful telephone numbers Area: 301 sq. km Distance from Piraeus: 242 nautical miles Population: 4.649

Karpathos or Pigadia the capital - is marked by the peculiar Karpathian houses, built of carved stone, full of embroidery and characteristic interior decorations. From Pigadia we shall visit Kyra Panagia, a picturesque bay with a marvelous beach and a monastery of the same name. A little further, on the northern promontory of Karpathos, lies the Diafani village; on the nearby little island of Saria we see Palatia, with ruins of the ancient city of Nisyros.

In the northern part of the island there are high mountains full of forests; Profitis Elias is the highest (1140 m). From the tiny port of Diafani we shall visit the mountainous village of Olympus, whose inhabitants take care to preserve local traditions. They cultivate their folk art; older people use the Karpathian dialect which includes many Doric elements. The women of Olympus go on wearing their traditional local costumes in everyday life even today.

There are regular routes linking Karpathos to Piraeus by boat, also with Rhodes and Kassos once a week. There are daily flights to and from Rhodes. For transport within the island visitors may use buses or taxis, or hire a caique to reach Aperi, Volada, Mirtonas, Othos, Mesochori, the beach of Santa Marina and the fishing villages Finiki and Arkassa.

In Karpathos we have the opportunity to taste traditional local dishes like "memoula" (offered on the 25th of March), chickpeas, pilau rice and sweets like baklava. Karpathian feasts and weddings are renowned. Karpathos island is located between the 2 well known greek islands of Rhodes and Crete, with a history dating back to the Minoan era of 2nd millennium B.C. In the Doric times it is refered to as Tetrapolis, after the four famous cities, Potideo or Possideo (in the area of the present capital), Arkessia (the present Arkassa), Vrykous and Nissyros (in the area of Olympos). Karpathos aims at tourism, armed with the unrivaled weapons of authentic pure natural beauties, its unique wealth, all enhanced by the hospitality of its residents. Its magnificent beaches, its secluded small bays, its imposing mountain peaks, its well-mannered inhabitants who, dressed up in their traditional costumes preserve the beauty of tradition (not only at their marriages or feasts) render Karpathos, unique, ideal to any appreciative visitor.

The 12 Villages

Karpathos comprises 12 villages lived in by a total of 6.000 people. All villages preserve intensively the traditional character (in style) of the island, which present a particular folkloric interest. In the South of the island one can find Pigadia (Karpathos), capital and main port of the island offering a quiet environment and proper service to the visitors. The capital is surrounded by the villages of Menetes, Arkassa, Finiki, Aperi, Volada, Othos- with a folkloric museum at a typical old house of Karpathos that present a particular interest, as well as Piles. In the North of the island one can find Messochori, Spoa and Olympos the last village in the North of the island, of great folkloric and architectural interest. Customs and habits have remained unaltered since the15th century. The austere architecture, the rich internal decoration of the houses and the famous feasts compose a unique setting on a world wide basis.

Kassos

At a distance of 4 nautical miles from Karpathos, Kassos, is a part of the same province with a population of 1500 inhabitants (mainly sailors) who live in the small community of Fry. Intense folkloric sensation at their marriages and feasts.

Beaches for Swimming

Beaches such as Vrontis (Karpathos), Amopi (Menetes), Kira-Panaghia (Aperi), Lefkos (Mesochori), Agios Nicolaos (Spoa) and Agios Nicolaos (Arkassa) are the most organized with tavernas and rooms to let. Less touristic and rather isolated are the beaches of Achata (Aperi), Apella (Vollada), Phokia, Agios Thoros and the seaside village of Finiki. One can find a beach at Kassos, next to its port or even at the small islands of Armathia and Makra.

Churches - Monasteries

Aghios Mammas, Kimissis Theotokou (Menetes), Aghia Sofia, Ypapanti (Arkassa), Kimissis Theotokou (17th century, Othos), Panaghia (6th century), Aghios Onoufrios, Aghia Triada, Moni Chrissovalantou (Olympos).

Folklore

One can say that Karpathos among with Kassos compose a living folkloric museum, All the feasts during the year, give a particular liveliness to the villages and the secluded little churches, gathering all the inhabitants, the emigrants as well as the visitors, to pure festivities lasting many days, where the traditional music organs (lutes and lyres), the local wine and the traditional snacks, dominate. The Karpathian marriage is a real ceremony having byzantine origin, and is the leading social event wherever it happens. According to the custom, which remains pure during the centuries, the festivities of the marriage last 3 days and all the inhabitants of the village are invited. Another particular folkloric element is the preservation of the traditional Karpathian costume, especially for the women, which they wear even in their daily activities. "Kawai", being the first female costume, is still preserved nowadays only in the area of Olympos. In the rest of the villages it has been replaced by "vesta" and "sakofoustano".

Recipes

Beyond some of the most typical karpathian specialities are the "chilopites", "pythkia", "kofta", "makarounes", "kouloures", all prepared with wheaten pastry according to the traditional way and baked in the country oven. Some of the most known candies are "sisamomelo", "baklavas" and "xerotigana".

Climate

In Karpathos the temperature and the relative humidity are ideally combined, creating the "+6" phenomenon which is unique in the Mediterranean and in Europe, and beneficial especially to those suffering from breathing diseases.

How to get there

Useful telephone numbers