Gavin Woodward

Upon approach, Sikinos pierces the otherwise unbroken plain of the coursing sea. Its harsh terrain is a jumble of arid granite rocks, beautiful and stark against the deep royal blue waters of the Aegean. As we draw closer, the bay opens up into a glorious sandy beach, the shallow water crystal clear. The land rises quickly from the sea to create...

Surrounded by the azure Aegean Sea, the island of Hydra comes with all the trimmings you’d expect from a little Greek oasis... gorgeous coastal views, a hot climate, and Old World charm. And it’s one of the few Greek islands that’s “wheel-free”—no cars, motorbikes, or even bicycles. Everyone on Hydra gets around on foot, by donkeys, and in sea taxis.

It all began, 18 years go, with a photo… hanging on the wall of Captain Jim (a retired Greek Navy Commodore) and Lucy’s lovely home on the Greek island of Syros. I was transfixed by this mysterious black and white photo of the mountain village of Syrrako. The picture shows a deep rugged mountain gorge enveloped and shrouded in heavy cloud cover...