Who doesn’t dream of going to a beach wedding on a Greek Island? For the Gallivanting Goldies this dream became a reality a few weeks ago – at the beginning of September. We celebrated a family wedding at Porto Koundouros, Kea – and what a wedding it was and what a time we had!
The wedding was more than superb and special. The location:- Kea, a small Greek Island not known to many non Greeks; the bride:- Catholic; the groom:- Jewish; the celebrant:- Indian Buddhist; the guests:- about 60 of the 80 guests were the couples’ school, college, business school and workplace friends, all highly educated young professionals, entrepreneurs but mainly serious party specialists! The guests came from all over, from across the U.S.A, England, Israel, and Australia.
All this diversity mixed and melted into the most amazing party and celebration. No better place for this than on the somewhat unknown idyllic island of Kea.
KEA:-
Kea, also known as Tzia, is part of the Cyclade group of Greek Islands. It is small measuring 19 km long and 9 km wide, mountainous and boasts stunning views of the Aegean Sea. The beaches are beautiful, the sea is crystal clear and the sand soft and fine.
Ioulida, Αιγαίο, Greece
Cape Sounio
GETTING THERE:-
Kea is situated south of Cape Sounio, the southernmost point of the mainland. The only ferry to the Island leaves from Lavrio, a small port town next to Cape Sounio. From Athens International Airport you can get to Lavrio either via the direct straight road which runs through the middle of the mainland and takes about 40 minutes. Alternatively you can take Road Number 62 and travel down the coastal road, what is known as the Athenian Riviera. I highly recommend this route. The coastal road affords stunning views and you can stop on the way at any one of the tavernas overlooking the Aegean Sea.
AEGEON BEACH HOTEL SOUNIO:-
We decided to stay overnight at the Aegeon Beach Hotel at Sounio before setting off for Kea. It was a great way to start the holiday. The Hotel is clean, has a fabulous beach and a couple of tavernas right next door. It is a 5 minute drive to The Poseidon Temple – there is walking path from the Hotel beach to the Temple.
Sounio is famous for the Poseidon Temple built on the Hill and for the sunsets from it – we enjoyed the views from below…
IOULIDA:-
Ioulida or Ioulis is the capital and inaccessible by car. It is small, utterly picturesque and the best and really only way to discover this charming little place is to walk it.
One can do three walks in Ioulida and all are color-marked on the stone-paved alleys. There is a walk to the Castle (yellow); to the Lion (green) and to the Municipality (Red). We chose the red walk. It is magical and charming. The alleys are superbly kept, colorful and charming. Below are just a few of the photos I took while walking down.
We started the walk at To Spiti stin Chora and this after a fabulous lunch at the restaurant. Not only is the food excellent but the views from this restaurant high on the mountain are breathtaking..
And some more of the alleys…..
And it goes on….
And the central piazzo ….
PORTO KOUNDOUROS:-
The Wedding took place at Porto Koundouros
We stayed at the villas, which are part of Porto Koundouros, They are right across the road, clean, comfortable and convenient. Most of the guests stayed at Airbnbs close by and from what I heard they were gorgeous big homes, most with swimming pools and glorious views.
The facilities at the Porto Koundouros Beach include good sunbeds and umbrellas, 2 sunbeds and umbrella for Euro 15 – those that stay at the villas get a reduction. On either side of the area where the sunbeds are there are public beach areas free of charge. We ate several times at the beach and at the various seating places of Porto Koundouros and thoroughly enjoyed the food.
Swimming at Porto Koundouros beach is glorious. The water is crystal clear, the visibility excellent and given that it is part of a bay very calm with no waves. The marine life isn’t vast – I took snorkeling equipment but no need to – swimming goggles suffice.
KOURISSA:-
Kourissa is where the ferry arrives and departs. It is a small colorful port with restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. You can probably do the whole of Kourissa in a couple of hours.
TIPS:-
- If you intend hiring a car and are coming from the U.S.A, Canada or Australia, make sure to take with you an International Driving Licence;
- Prebook your ferry tickets online particularly if you are taking a car on the ferry. We used http://www.ferryhopper.com
- Most of the gas stations are near the port of Kourissa and Ioulida – so make sure you fill up before travelling south;
- Try take whatever you need with you – shopping on the Island is challenging and the scope limited.
We went in the beginning of September 2019.
All the photos are mine taken with either my Iphone or Ipad and none of them have been edited so the colors are all original.
This post is part of my independent travel blog – I have not received any freebies, sponsorships or gifts. All my travels are self funded. So what you read is mine and mine alone devoid of any material influence and outside pressure.
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