Daily routine in Hydra, Greece:

1) Eat

2) Sleep/nap

3) Swim in the Mediterannean

At one point I was sitting at a table overlooking the Mediterranean, a glass of white wine in my hand, watching the sun go down. It was one of the most perfect moments of my life and I have never felt so at peace with life and love and the world around me. Our vacations are always packed full of tourist attractions but this time we simply enjoyed the place. There’s not much else to do.

Hydra is a small island with the town built out from the harbor. Most hotels are in town and an easy walk to shops, restaurants, and swimming. This easy access simplifies the experience – no bus schedules to keep up with, no vast city to learn on a map, just a simple walk out of your hotel to wherever you want to be.

Of course it’s a charming town – it’s a small island in the Mediterranean with no cars and stone streets. You can’t walk a few feet without access to an outdoor cafe or scenic views – or in most cases, both. This idyllic island will speak to all of your romantic senses. It will lull you in with the easy life and you won’t want to budge from your ringside seat to the surrounding beauty.

And what makes this island escape even better? It’s extremely easy to get to from Athens. Only an hour and half ferry ride from Piraeus port. Be sure to take the Flying Cat hydrofoil and not the Flying Dolphin. The Dolphin is a tight squeeze with a rough ride and the constant smell of gasoline. But once you arrive you’re in the heart of town. The donkeys are waiting to carry your bags but you probably won’t need them. But hey, how cool is it to say you took a donkey to your hotel?

If you’re headed to Greece and want to include a quick island hop the Hydra is for you. Some even do it for the day but I recommend taking some time off to relax and enjoy this wonderfully unexpected beauty in the Mediterranean.