Spetses covers an area of 22 km2 and has a coastline of 29 km. Its capital is the town of Spetses. The island has fine sandy beaches and clean sea. As on Hydra, in Spetses the use of private cars is forbidden and the only means of transportation are buses, animals or boats. On the western side of the island, near the beach of Agii Anargiri, there is the cave of Bekiri, which has great historical interest since many revolutionaries found refuge there during the War of Independence in 1821.

The island has good tourist accommodations. Because of its location, from Spetses it is very easy to visit the interesting archeological sites of Argos and Sparta, on the opposite coast of Peloponnese.

Spetses Architecture

The dominant architectural character of the island is reflected on its white two-storied mansions with red tiled roofs. In the capital, near the port, there are neoclassical mansions. Beyond the square, are the houses of war heroes, such as Bouboulina and Botsaris.

Spetses Monasteries

• The Monastery of Agia Anna, near the town of Spetses
• The Monastery of Eleonas, further south and accessible with difficulty.

Kithira Architecture

The island has a characteristic architecture, with white cube-like houses and flat white roofs. The white is the only color of its villages that are scattered across a green landscape, against dark blue waters.

Kithira Historical Places

• The Archeological Museum of the capital, with ceramic findings of Prehistoric and Classical times.
• The Venetian Castle (1503), on the edge of the capital.
• The ruins of the ancient City of Skandia, near the village Avlemonas.
• The Venetian Castle of the village Mylopotamos.

Kithira Monasteries

• The Saint Monastery, 12 km from the village of Avlemonas.
• The Monastery of Agias Elessa, 4 km from the village of Livadi.
• The Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, 7 km from the village of Livadi.
• The Monastery of Panagia Orfani, near the village of Mylopotamos.

In the area of the village of Sami, the second largest port of the island, there are interesting geological phenomena, like the Cave of Drongorati, with stalagmites, and the cave of Melissani, with a subterranean lake. The caves can be visited. In the village of Karavomilos, near Sami, another phenomenon of great interest is the Katabothres. Here, springs of sea water come out from the earth.

In Kefallonia, like in Zakinthos, the rare turtle Kareta-Kareta lays its eggs on the beaches of the island and a project for their protection by an ecological association is in development.

Kefalonia Architecture

In 1953 a earthquake destroyed some sites of the island and today its dwellings are modern constructions that were rebuilt according to the characteristic architecture of the Ionian Islands. Some villages that were not destroyed, like Fiskardo, are reminders of old Kefallonia.

Kefalonia Historical Places

• The Archeological Museum of the capital Argostoli, with findings of all the historical period of the island.
• The Folk Museum and the Collection of Icons, in the public library of the capital.
• The Remains of the Ancient City Sami, in the area of today?s town of Sami.
• The Collection of Ancient Ceramics and post Byzantine icons, in the village of Lissouri.
• The Graves of Mycenaean Period, in the village of Lixouri.
• The Venetian Castle, in the village of Asos.

Kefalonia Monasteries

• The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, which houses the remains of the Saint, near the village of Blahata, in the valley of Omalon.
• The Monastery of Panagia of Thematon , near the village of Agia Efthimia.
• The Monastery of Panagia Kekrionos, of Panagia Koronatou and of Kipouria, near the village of Lixouri.
• The Monastery of Panagia of Atrou, the oldest of the island.
• The Monastery of Panagia of Agrilion, near the village of Sami.
• The Monastery of Agios Andreas, with the remains of the Saint, near the village of Svoronata.
• The Monastery of Panagia of Platiteras, near the village of Fiscardo.

It has caves of mythological and ecological interest, such as the cave of the Nymphs and the cave of Loisos. The cave of the Nymphs, 1 km from the capital, was the site where Odysseus hid the gifts that the Phaeacians gave him. It was also a place of worship in ancient times. The cave of Loisos has a long history, as the ceramic findings of the cave testify. In this cave was a temple, of which today there are only a few remains. The position of the island, near Kefallonia and Lefkada, permits a day trip to these beautiful islands.

Ithaki Architecture

Ithaki has the architecture of all the Ionian Islands. Its white houses have red tile roofs and no other particular local elements.

Ithaki Historical Places

• The Archeological Museum of the capital, with important findings of the Prehistoric period.
• The ruins of the ancient City Alcomenes (8th Century BC) in Mount Aetos, to the west of the capital. The inhabitants call it the Fortress of Odysseus. The great archeologist Schliemann, who made excavations in this place, theorized that it was the palace of Odysseus.
• The ruins of an Ancient Settlement, with findings from the Prehistoric to the Minoan period, at the site of Pelicata, near the village of Stavros. Today archeologists believe that the city of Odysseus was probably here.
• The Prehistoric Remains, at the site of Marathia, near Perahori.

Ithaki Monasteries

• The Monastery of Taxiarcon, near the village of Perahori, 2 km from the capital.
• The Monastery of Panagia Katharon, 10 km to the north of the capital.

Naxos Architecture

The architecture of Naxos is the characteristic architecture of all the Cyclades Islands. Its houses are white cube-like constructions, without interference of other colors. Its villages are absolutely white spots on the naked landscape. On the island, there are many Orthodox and Catholic Byzantine churches, that constitute interesting architectural elements.

The fact that Naxos was the capital of a Venetian Doucato is the reason that, on all the sides of the island, there are many Medieval fortresses and castles. Today restored, these castles and fortresses, interesting remains of its Medieval history, coexist with the characteristic local architecture, in a charming union where the past lies with the present.

Naxos Historical Places

• The Archeological Museum of the capital, with findings from all the island. Especially, the famous figurines of the ancient Cycladic civilization are of great interest to the visitors.
• The Portara, the entrance of a temple never finished, dedicated to Apollo (6th Century BC). It is on a small island, in the port of the town of Naxos.
• The Venetian Castle, in the capital.
• The Kouros, a statue of 10 meters, unfinished by its sculptor (6th Century BC). It is lying down on the ground, in the area of the village of Apollonas.
• The remains of Mycenaean Graves, near the village of Engares.
• The Venetian Castles and Fortresses, that are model of Medieval defensive and housing architecture. They are dispersed throughout all the island. One can see Castles in the village of Apeiranthos, as well as in Melanes, Sangri, Tragaea and Filoti.

Naxos Monasteries

• The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Chrisostomos (17th Century), 3 km from the capital.
• The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, near the village of Agios Arsenios.
• The Monasteries of Tassiarcon, Genisis, Panagia Faneromeni, Chilias Brisis and Agios Mama, near the village of Engrafes.
• The Monasteries of Tassiarcon and Agios Elefterios, near the village of Sangri.
• The Monastery of Fotodoti Christos, near the village of Filoti.

It is a new building with 34 rooms, 200 metres from the beach, 15 minutes from the main town (port) and 10 minutes from the airport. Excursions and tour can be done in all the Cycladic islands. The hotel offers 34 rooms all with W.C. Bath or shower, balcony, telephone, heating, hot water and some of them are air conditioned.

The hotel has 2 bars, a pleasant environment in the well furnished cafeteria and parking facilities.

Personnel is more or less our family’s members and that guarantees a friendly atmosphere and a memorable service.

FRANCOISE is a hotel that can be as your home, as our logo says.

Syros Architecture

The architecture of Syros is different from the architecture of the other Cycladic Islands and is characterized by the neoclassical buildings, which were constructed throughout the island in the past century. Ermoupolis, the capital, is considered one of the most remarkable neoclassical places of Greece. Its architecture reminds visitors of the splendor and the power of the past. Its neoclassical Orthodox and Catholic churches, its mansions and its theatre, built as a replica of the theater La Scala of Milano, are important elements of the architecture of the island. The theater hosts many interesting performances every year.

Syros Historical Places

• The Prehistoric Cemetery, at the site of Halandriani, in the northern part of the island. In its tombs, many findings of the Cycladic civilization were discovered.
• The ruins of a Prehistoric Acropolis, to the north of Halandriani, at the site of Kastri.

Syros Monasteries

• The Monastery of the Capuchin Monks, founded in 1635, in the Medieval settlement of Ano Syros.
• The Monastery of the Jesuit Monks, in the Medieval settlement of Ano Syros.
• The Monastery of Faneromeni, to the north of the village of Vari.
• The Monastery of Agia Varvara, near the village of Kini, known for its handwoven fabrics.

Tinos has several interesting caves:

1. The Cave of Gastrion, in Kionia.
2. Mygospilia or Kammeni Cave, a few km north-west of the village of Aetofolia .
3. The cave of Drakolakkos, 4 km west of the village of Platia.
4. The Cave of Voulismeni, 1 km south of Faneromeni.
5. The Cave of Kithara, 3 km north of Voulismeni Cave
6. The Cave of Fournakion, between Cape Papargiros and Cape Axachopos.
7. The Cave of Spilias, between Cape Fero Krimno and Cape Diasphae.
8. The Caves of Krouftes, north of Falatados.
9. The Cave of Mourounia, in the northwestern part of the island.
10. The Cave of Koufangeli, west of the harbour of Panormos.
11. The Cave of Panormos and Kamara, on the northwestern side of the bay of Panormos.

Tinos Architecture

• The houses of Tinos. The island’s houses are characteristic constructions that are distinguished by their simplicity and functionality. Externally the house has very simple lines, the main decorative element being the semicircular arch, which is usually midway between the ground floor and the first floor.
• The Churches of Tinos. The entire island is dotted with churches and chapels which constitute a characteristic aspect of the Tinian landscape. There are more than 750 churches today, of which about 220 are Catholic. The construction of so many churches was due in part to the long Venetian occupation. The most important is the Sanctuary of Evangelistria were the miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary is housed. This church has a Museum with ecclesiastical icons and artworks and an Art Museum with pictures of very important Greek painters.
• The Windmills. During the Venetian occupation there were more than 80 windmills, built of local stone. Only a few of them were still working until 20 years ago.
• The Doves-cotes. In Tinos there are also dove-cotes. They are massive stone-built edifices, the lower floors of which were storage places for agricultural products and the upper floors were places for the raising of pigeons. They were built in the 18th and 19th Centuries and with their unusual decorations (rhomboids, triangles) they are folk artistic creations, unique in the world. The majority of them are in the central part of the island and in the Tarabados Valley.

Tinos Historical Places

• The Archeological Museum of the capital, with findings from all the island.
• The ruins of Ancient City, capital of the island during the classical times, near the village of Isternia.
• The remains of a Venetian Fortress, built on the acropolis of the ancient city, near the village of Isternia.
• The ruins of the Ancient Temple of Poseidon, near the village of Kardiani

Tinos Monasteries

• The Monastery of Kechrovouni, 500 km from Arnados. According to the tradition, it was founded in the 10th Century. It has a Museum, with interesting icons (mainly from the 18th and 19th Centuries). It is one of the biggest and most beautiful monasteries of Greece.
• The Jesuit Monastery, a imposing building in Loutra, founded in 1661.
• The Catapoliani Monastery (1783), 5 km from Isternia,
• The Catholic Monastery of Ursulin Nuns (1862), 7 km from Komi.

The Cretan scenery, a combination of high mountains and small fertile plains, is very beautiful. The largest plain is Messara, in the prefecture of Iraklio, on the southern part of the island. The mountainous nature of Crete is the reason that the island is traversed from north to south by gorges of great ecological and tourist interest. Among these, the most famous is Samaria Gorge, which is 18 km long and can be covered in about 7 hr on foot, a unique journey through an untouched natural environment . Crete’s coasts are very beautiful and varied, with sandy beaches, rocky coves and small picturesque bays. The climate on the island, due to its geographical position, is sweet and mild even during winter and this is one of the reasons that Crete has tourism all year round.

The agricultural products of Crete are those of a mild climate: oranges, mandarins, bananas, olives, grapes and a large variety of vegetables. The climate enriches the flora of Crete to be one of the finest, with approximately 150 different varieties, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Most of these varieties can been found in the gorges and on mountain slopes.

Crete Caves

The mountainous terrain of Crete is the reason that there are so many caves, which were inhabited during the Neolithic period, as the findings show. These caves were also used as places of worship, often referred to in mythology. These caves also have a speleological interest, because most of them bear rare and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

The most important caves of Crete include:

• The cave Gouvernetos, 15km from Hania, in which St John Hermit lived.
• The cave Melidoni , the cave Sentoni and the cave Idaio Andro in Mount Psiloritis, in the area of Rethymno.
• The cave Kamaron, the cave Milato and the cave Diktaion Andro on the north side of Mount Dikti, in the area of Iraklio.

Crete Historical Places

Crete’s antiquities are so many that the whole island can be considered an archeological site. The most important archeological sites in Crete are those of the Minoan Palaces: Knossos, Malia, Zakro and Phaestos. Other areas with fewer, but equally interesting, number of findings, are the archeological sites of Archanes, Agia Triada, Tilissos, Gournia and Gortinos.

Crete Monasteries

• The Monasteries Tzagarolon, Gouvernetos, Gonia, Odigitria and Crissoscaliza, in the area of Hania.
• The Monasteries of Asmaton, Arkadi and Preveli, in the area of Rethymno.
• The Monasteries of Apanosophi, Vrontissi, Palianis and Varsamonero, in the area of Iraklio.
• The Monasteries of Toplos and Agios Aretios, in the area of Agios Nikolaos.

The natural beauties surround this historical inheritance and make Rhodes a wonderful place for vacations. The clean sea, the nice beaches, the picturesque villages and some particular places, like the famous butterfly valley near the village of Theologos, justify the fame of the island.

Rhodes Transport

• Rhodes is 250 n.m. from Pireaus.
• Ferryboats connect the island with Piraeus (22 hrs) and Thessaloniki (22 hrs). There are connections from Piraeus without stops and more quick (I4 hrs).
• These connections and local hydrofoils also link Rhodes to several other islands, of which Karpathos, Symi, Tilos and Kastellorizo are the closest.
• From the International Airport of Rhodes there are flights to and from Athens (55 min) and Thessaloniki (1 hr 50 min). There also are flights to and from several islands that have airports, like Crete (40 mins), Karpathos (50mins), Kassos (1 hr 10 min) and Kastellorizo (35 min).