Eating and Drinking

I’m a regular at Spilia Beach Bar for morning sun and afternoon shade and Hydronetta for afternoon sun and sunset views. Moving down the coast, there are nice swimming spots at Avlaki, Kamini, Castello, Vlichos and Plakes, all of which have pebbly beaches also suitable for children.

For lunch and swimming I can recommend To Pefkaki in Kamini, Taverna Marina in Vlichos, and the Four Seasons in Plakes. In the other direction from the port there is Mandraki Beach Resort (the only sand beach) and Lefteraki’s Taverna. There are also regular ferries from the port to organised down-island beaches at Bisti and Agios Nikolaus.

For tavernas in town, I can recommend Xeri Elia (Douskos) for fish and grilled meats in a beautiful setting under the trees on a little piazza, Psinesai (Matina and Leonidas) on the corner of the port specialises in grilled meats and the best home-cooked food on the island, Ostria is also great for home-cooking, and Kryfo Limani is away from the crowds in a small garden. To Pefkaki also serves dinner some evenings from 8-10 pm.

For more modern Greek dining, Sunset has wonderful fish and killer views, Téchnē has excellent modern Greek over-looking the water in Avlaki, Plakostroto has a lovely garden in town, and both Castello beach club and Four Seasons beach club provide quiet dining experiences in the evenings on the water in Kamini and Plakes.

For drinking, 1821 Hydra is the best craft cocktail bar on the island, The Windmill from the same owners has cocktails and killer sunset views, and the Pirate Bar is a Hydra institution from early to late.

If you’d like any other recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask me. And for everything else, the best online source for all island information is www.hydradirect.com, run by local estate agent Kelsey Edwards. If you love Hydra as much as I do, you may want to ask her about a more permanent investment.

Staying connected

There is Wifi throughout the house, including an extender to help the signal around the meter thick stone walls.

Network: Cosmote / Cosmote Ext
Password: kfuu6fsxua3899bm

It won’t be like home, as it is provided through the phone line, but it’s generally dependable. Cellular coverage is also generally good at the house, unlike many parts of the island.

Outdoor activities

In the front bedroom there are three Niyama yoga mats, three sets of snorkelling gear, two tennis racquets, three dry bags, free diving supplies and a buoy. There also also numerous beach bags, beach hats, and Greek towels (foutas) in each room for your use.

There is a hammock stored in the rafters of the rooftop pergola. If you use it, please be sure to connect it only to the secure D-rings on the supporting beams of the pergola.

If you’d like to explore more of the island, there are hiking maps, binoculars and hiking backpacks. There’s a paved climb up to the monastery, or for the brave, four to five hours will take you to the same beaches at Bisti and Agios Nikolaus where you can return to town by ferry. From the house the trail starts at a nearby church. Be prepared with maps and plenty of water.

Excellent horse riding in the mountains is offered through Harriet’s Horses. Fishing excursions can be arranged daily with Yiannis and Katerina through Fishing with Yiannis. Power boat rentals, with or without a skipper, can be arranged with Hydra Boat Rentals, Seaduction or Hydra-rent-a-boat. And for a very special experience, cruises can be arranged on the classic wooden sailboat, Apiliotis, though Four Seasons resort.

There are regular live performances presented at the Hydrama outdoor amphitheater and films at the Hydra Outdoor Cinema.

Indoor activities

While there is no television in the house, screens do come in handy sometimes. I have a large one that drops down from the ceiling above the door. It is operated by push button on the wall or by remote in the wooden cabinet between the windows. There is a self-levelling Samsung projector located in the same cabinet that connects to Wifi or to your phone or tablet. It must be plugged in via the attached USB-C cord.

There are also several sets of backgammon (tavli in Greece), chess and other board games in the wooden trunk. However, being Greece, there is scarcely an establishment on the island without one, so no need to take them from the house. They are all handmade in Greece so please treat them with care.

if you’re musically inclined, there is a Martin guitar and Korg SV-1 digital stage piano. Please treat both with care, and please ask children not to play with the musical instruments.

There is also a professional telescope you are welcome to use. But if you are not an experienced stargazer, it can be difficult to align and operate. Similarly, it is not appropriate for children without adult supervision.

Wellness

Armonia Wellness Center provides a range of services including massage, cosmetic treatments, yoga and pilates in its location near the port behind the Pirate Bar. (armonia.hydra@gmail.com // +30 22980 52477 // +30 6944 316 364)

Artemis Retreats hosts morning yoga led by the wonderful Skyrah Archer during select weeks in summer at the historic Oikonomou Mansion near the house in Kiafa (skyrah.palli@gmail.com // +44 771 493 3778)

Hydra Flow by Pagona Paraskeva hosts early morning classes on the sea near the port (npagona@gmail.com // +30 694 209 9239)

Pénélope Hausermann hosts classes in French and English nearby on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 am. (hausermannpenelope@gmail.com // +33 6138 24616)

Rena Floria provides excellent in-home massage services including aromatherapy, detox, sports massage, reflexology, face, cupping, stones and more. (+30 6982 075511)

Art

As you will see there is a great deal of art in the house. Most of the paintings are mine and are for sale.

If you are interested in knowing more about a specific piece, me or my practice, feel free to reach out to me or visit wesleyeberlestudio.com.

Appliances

Water is collected in a cistern under the single-story building. An electric pump provides the necessary water pressure at this elevation. If water pressure is low, try resetting the pump by pushing the red button inside the utility cupboard under the exterior staircase. Do not adjust the valves.

There is a combination washer/dryer under the kitchen counter to the left of the sink. The delicate cycle will run just over an hour, and while there is a dryer function, unless it’s raining, the blue clothes line on the terrace is much quicker.

There is whole-house water filtration, eliminating the need for plastic and bottled water. There are two refrigerators and two coffee machines — one Nespresso and one frappe. The stove top is induction.

Each bedroom has air-conditioning operated by in-room remote controls, and each room of the main house has ceiling fans operated by in-room remote controls. The light switches turn on or off the entire unit — fan and light. And there are three additional portable fans around the house if needed.

There is a bug zapper in the living room that can be plugged in, but normally this is only necessary in the early spring. For cooler months, all of the air conditioners run in reverse to warm the bedrooms and there is an electric heater for the upstairs rooms.

There is a hairdryer under the sink in the main bathroom and an iron and ironing board in the closet. There are also robes and slippers in each bedroom.

Cleaning supplies are under the sink, there is a cordless vacuum cleaner in the closet of the rear bedroom, and there is a hose, mop and broom in the outdoor closet under the stairs. There is a box of tools under the bed in the guest house.

There is an outdoor charcoal grill, but please take great care in summer months and do not leave open flames unattended. Forest fires are deadly — and will land you in Greek jail.

Consumables

There is handmade Greek soap and Korres shampoo in every bathroom and the outdoor shower for your use during your stay.

Additional linens are located in the front bedroom closet. The top drawer has linens to fit the smaller bed in the guest house. The bottom drawer has linens to fit the two larger beds in the main house.

There is usually wine and beer in the refrigerators, and alcohol and tobacco in the wooded liquor cabinet. Please kindly replace what you use.

The closest food market, Gavrilis, is located less than five minutes down to the left from the house. Slightly further down is the Four Corners market.

Animals

As you’ll see, there are more cats than people on the island. And there are two that may hang around the terrace. The older black, white and orange cat is Antigoni and the younger orange cat is George. Feel free to feed them if you wish. But please do not let them in the house. Any other cats, swat away or turn the hose on them.

Also, the third bedroom in the one story house on the left side has an en-suite bathroom with a “monk’s window.” I recommend leaving the door closed when you leave or you may come back to a feral cat in your bed.

In case of emergency

Hydra Emergency Number: 199
International Emergency & Rescue: 112
Fire Department: +30 22980 53199
Coastguard (Port Police): +30 22980 52279
Police: +30 22980 52205
Hospital +30 22980 53150
GP & First Aid: +30 22980 52420

Other

Please do lock the door when leaving the house. This was not necessary on Hydra until very recently. Sadly, times change.

There is a security camera that does not operate when guests are staying at the house. Please enjoy your privacy.