There is a place where time has stopped thousands of years ago, where the rocky road is no longer easily accessible and a smaller stony path begins… where the ancient city of Karthea awaits you, on Kea Island.
From Ioulida, drive to Stavroudaki, leave your car behind and continue on foot for approximately 2 hours. The scenery will reward your effort as you will walk on the ancient path that has remained untouched through the centuries, the same path on which the Naiads, the water nymphs of the island, used to sing and dance.
You will be accompanied by the breeze and the shadow of platania trees (oriental planes) and the sounds of the water from Vathipotamos, making this the utterly enchanting scenery. Nevertheless, do not forget to take plenty of water with you, the path is beautiful but does not provide drinkable water springs.
For an alternative route to Karthea, take the boat to Poles beach and you will reach the ancient city in only a few minute walk . You will definitely be impressed by the picturesque landscape, the antiquities and the temples of Athena and Apollo, that still stand there, remnants of a period that has been lost in time.
Do not follow the same route on your way back. There is still a lot to explore. Pay a visit either to Kato Meria and taste the authentic local cuisine with a delicious Kokoras krasatos dish (rooster cooked in wine and tomato sauce accompanied with pasta) or visit Kastriani and the Monastery where you should definitely stay a while and admire one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island.
Keep in mind that the water Nymphs of the Greek mythology would definitely pass by the same path, only to gaze at the beauty of the scenery. You may still see them hidden somewhere among the trees or the ruins. If not, then you will most probably hear about them during the fairytale and storytelling festival in July.
Visiting Kea is an adventure by itself; virgin beaches , picturesque sceneries, selective nightlife, authentic cuisine, mythological aura.
There is not a single part missing from this elegantly carved island of the Cyclades!
