Traditional Apartments
Fri Kassos, Dodecanese
"Kassos"
Off the
beaten track the unspoilt island of Kassos is situated north of Crete.
Kassos, the most southern island of the Dodecaneses, is a serene and
welcoming islet, which is among the least populated of the group. It covers
an area of 62 square
kilometres its population is around
1000 residents. It is an island with many mountains and small valleys which
are watered by rivulets, full of olives, fig trees and impressive caves.
Its history is connected with that of its neighboring Karpathos.
Fri, the most important village is built on the gulf of Bouka and its home
of part of the island population.
Kassos is the ideal destination for those who wish to acquaint themselves
with the traditional lifestyle of the islanders.
Local interest
The church of St Spiridon in Fri
is interesting. It is also worthwhile to walk
around the small port of Emporio with its beautiful stone houses. Continue
towards St Marina, a village full of old houses and on to the picturesque
villages of Panagia
and Arvanitohori.
The village Poli was build on the ancient town, one can still distinguish
ruins from the battlements of the Kastro which are dated back to the ancient
times.
The church of the Holy Trinity and a little further on the monastery of Agios
Mamas,
8 kms outside Fri, are also worth a visit. You arrive there by a very
pleasant road through the mountains and can then enjoy the beautiful view.
Local
cuisine
In Kassos you will encounter unique Greek delicacies. You can discern the
influence of the Cretan cuisine and also international delicacies which have
been transported by the mariners of Kassos from their journeys to the end of
the world and in particular from Egypt.
During the local festivities, the varieties that are offered are impressive.
The following impressive delicacies are part of some of the specialties of
the island.
The Elaiki, is a salty cheese, which matures for months in a vase covered
with butter. “Sitaka is a fat goat cheese, cooked many times, it is
delicious with peasant warm bread and it goes well worth “Makrounes” (a type
of home made pasta).
“Menoules” salted fish in oil and vinegar, the “dolmades” vine leaves which
are wrapped in a special way, the Kassiotiko rice which is boiled with a
meat juice and tomatoes, is served only with cinnamon, or with meat. Finally
the “Moshopougi” is a delicious dessert from almonds, sugar and rose water.
Activities
The small inlet of Kelatron 15 kms south of Fri, can be reached from the Monastery of St George (a distance of 2 kms)with a beautiful pebble beach.
The beaches of Avlaki and Choklakia are close by but are not reached so
easily. The beaches of Emporiou and of Ammouda have the advantage that they
are located close to the port of Fri.
Small caiques cross over morning and noon to the islet of Armathia, opposite
of Fri,
for the lovers of desert islands, of blue water and hot sand.
There are two beautiful caves for you to visit, Selai with its stalactites
and the cave of Ellinokamara where you can see vases from different ages.
The island offers good
walking, climbing, mountain bike, fishing, diving, sailing.
There is a huge variety of wild flowers of Kassos which deserve attention.
An interesting book with the Wild flowers of Kassos written by the local teacher Minas
Perselis, can introduce the wonderful nature of Kassos island!
HotSpots
In the village of Panayia, on August 15, there is the fair of the Virgin, with traditional music and local dances. All the residents of the island as well as the passing visitors are called to share the local specialities of the island, which is accompanied by the local exceptional wine. The atmosphere is festive and whoever has experienced it remember it still.
TRAVEL TO KASSOS
A) BY BOAT
From Pireas 3-4 times per week with the boats of LANE company, "Vintsentsos Kornaros" and "Ierapetra", duration 17 hours.
Approximate cost 50 euro per person, with cabin.
From Crete, 3-4 times per week, only 2 hours from Sitia and 4 hours from Agios Nikolaos.
From Rhodes, 3-4 times per week, duration 7 hours.
From Karpathos, 3-4 times per week, duration 1 hour.
B) BY AIRPLANE
Everyday from Athens (Eleftherios Venizelos airport) through Rhodes or Karpathos, duration of flight 55 minutes. Approximate cost 80 euros per person.
From Abroad:
a) By charter to Heraklion (Crete) and then by boat from Agios Nikolaos to Kassos, only 4 hours.
b) By charter to Rhodes and then a flight to Kassos, only 20 minutes flight.
c) By charter to Karpathos and then a flight to Kassos, the shortest flight in the world, only 5 minutes or by boat only 1 hour.
d) By charter to Athens and then by airplane to Kassos.
Useful Telephone numbers
LANE Agency: 210- 4112152 / 210-4274009
Port Police: 22450-41288
Police: 22450-41222
Town Hall: 22450-41277
OTE: 22450-41300
Health Centre: 22450-41333
Copyright @ 2005 Angelicas. All rights reserved.