Unlike its more popular brethren
Mykonos and Paros, which have slowly but surely given up some of their unique
local customs and plenty of their shimmering beaches to imposing high-rise
hotels for bedazzled tourists, Andros Greece has been reluctant to take the big step to dynamic urbanization. It
has, perhaps, edged a toe in there, by virtue of having been ‘discovered’, in
comparatively recent years, as the ideal getaway spot for both long and
short-term vacations due to its (unfortunate, the locals would say) location:
the closest island to the capital Athens, this island, the northernmost and
second-largest of the Greek Cyclades, is a mere two hour ferry ride away from
the Rafina port.
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| The delightful island of Andros, Greece |
Andros Island has
everything it needs to be a popular tourist site: plenty of seaside tavernas,
world-class museums, Byzantine monasteries, an interesting history, spectacular
beaches, a picturesque mountainous topography, a colorful tourist town in
Batsi, and over more than seventy charming villages, each with their own
fascinating quirk. The locals, who were shipowners, own the island as well like pirates. Like the old known pirates, they had a certain affluence on
the island, a sense of ownership that they were not willing to share with anyone
else, whether they be foreign tourists or locals. As far as they are concerned, tourists for them are temporary blemishes in their treasure island.
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| This pleasant view of the Andros Island says it all |
However, in the 1960s, when farmers
in the western part of Andros Island
started to sell off non cultivable land to non-native landowners, who knew that
this secluded island with its even more secluded people would one day turn into
a tourist spot, the ship owners, unable to stop them, conceded to have Batsi,
today the most popular tourist town in northwestern Andros Island, developed for curious tourists, while they retreated
to the capital Andros Town, or Hora, as it’s commonly called, in northeastern part of the island. To this day, some native
shipowners like to pretend that Batsi doesn’t exist – but they are few and far
between, for Batsi, despite being a vulgar mark of pandering to the public in
the island’s proud shipowner’s books, is still leagues behind towns in other
islands of the Greek Cyclades. In fact, its coast, while spectacular, wouldn’t
inspire any romantic to disembark from a ship on its way to Mykonos – largely
because urbanization, which sank its roots during the 60s, has progressed at a
snail’s pace.
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| Batsi, Andros - beautiful sandy beach |
Lots of cafés, tavernas, souvenir
stalls and fish markets dot the shores of Batsi today. However, perhaps its
biggest concession to urbanization is its spectacular array of hotels. These
tourist residences range from romantic pieces of architecture in the traditional
Byzantine style to utilitarian one-building apartments to more stylish villas.
What is most notable about Andros hotels in Greece is that, despite the
occasional lavish rental mansion and the on-story rip-offs, most Andros hotels don’t leave the tourist bankrupt. Andros Apartments and Villas like Bella Vista, Villa Eleonora and Villa Anna Maria, Villa Esperides and Villa Skrekos are some that have been hailed as
“best value villas” for the service they provide.
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| Bella Vista Villa Apartments and Studios in Batsi, Andros |
Even with these tentative steps
towards urbanization, Batsi still manages to retain much of the island’s
traditions, a feat not easily accomplished by any place unfortunate enough to
attract tourists. OMILO
provides intensive immersion in Greek language and culture, this year in Batsi of
Andros Island, Greece. But even
without a course, one is bound to enjoy Andros
Island and its culture which has something that appeals to everyone.
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