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Guide to Samos, Greece
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Samos
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SamosOne of the smallest islands within an Aegean cluster in the realm of Eastern Greece, Samos is a network of coastal towns, inland rest stops, and one of the most densely forested and uneven landscapes to be found on a solitary mass. Though its peaks aren't quite on par with those of East Asia or South America, it is nevertheless fantastic to experience Samos from above, where views of its neighbors are possible. Picturesque, perfect: words which come to mind when trekking this morsel of Grecian goodness. During the past few years, Samos has received a great deal of attention, by the press circuit as well as the general world body, and it is not for its splendid array of resorts, lack of any congested roadways, or the island's people's affinity for simplicity. No, it is because of the widespread fires found running rampant through its inner jungle, garnering Samos face-time with media outlets, and, in effect, placing the island, however unintentionally, at the forefront of Greek island travel. Some of the devastation still shows in the island's patches of brush clearings and such, though natural revitalization processes have seemingly taken to the express lane in the last year or two (2004-05). The broad global consensus may show that people enjoy pre-planned vacations and stops in on the most convenient locations available, but for those who enjoy a bit of the unexpected and find surprises to be more enjoyable than cookie cutter ensembles, Samos is ready to offer you its own key to paradise.
When to go:
In relatively normal circumstances, Samos and its fellow Aegean residents is as perfect as one gets to a comfortable climate, pleasantly calm waters, and a praise-worthy concoction of undeveloped terrain and subtly established cities and towns. Located roughly in the center of its group, Samos is accessible from many places within the region - an important factor to retaining a healthy tourism cycle, as well as for other areas of commerce. The most important aspect of the region to note, is its being prone to tropical anomalies. Now, hurricanes, and other formulas creating gale-force winds aren't typically on the agenda within the East Aegean Sea, but if you have your sights on Samos whilst a large storm system is in the area, it's likely that you'll be best off arranging your trip day for an easier and less worrisome time.
Getting there and around:
Undeniably the most traveled of the archipelago, Piraeus, Samos' close cousin, is the home of the largest and most well-connected flight terminal in the region. Not only does Piraeus host numerous flights between itself at Athens, airbuses to/from more northerly locations within Europe are available as well. (It is important to note that Samos has added to its own direct connection roster in recent years, and now sports a similar number of daily flights, albeit with a far less reaching scope. You'll almost certainly need a vehicle for your travels around Samos, as buses are nearly nonexistent, and taxis will being to charge exorbitant fees when the destinations get further and further away.
Attractions:
Archaeological sites abound on Samos, with many left to uncover, even chart. You can spend your time digging into history, or lie cocktail-in-hand upon some of the most pristine beaches to be found in southeastern Europe. Also, activities such as hiking, cycling, and windsurfing are popular among vacationers.
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