Our Halki holiday was all the more special because of the stress of getting there. Despite all the red tape and millions of forms to fill in and the cost of all the tests (although not too many as it’s on the amber list but if you’re double vaccinated there is no quarantine currently), it was all so worth it in the end. We loved it. Halki is a tiny island you access via a ferry from Rhodes island. In the winter there are only around 300 people living on the island, which gives you some idea of how small it is. It’s very uncommercial, inexpensive, extremely friendly and truly beautiful.
On landing in Rhodes, having made it through the random testing…the first thing we did was calm our nerves:-
We stayed very locally in Rhodes old town, in a tiny hotel called Evdokia, right in the centre of the action with the most delicious breakfast imaginable, including incredible omelettes and local yoghurts:-
The next morning we got a taxi to the ferry (about 30 mins) and then a 45 minute ferry ride to the island of Halki (locally known as Khálki or Chalki). We had to show our vaccination certificates to board the ferry, they’ve had no covid cases on the island at all, which is pretty impressive and whilst we were there they had their first baby born there for 55 years! We met friends there who knew the island well, so we had great insight into all the best food choices and taverna’s, as well as what to see and do. There is a monastery you can walk to but you have to start the trek around 5am to avoid the heat of the sun, so I chose to stay in bed. The church is beautiful to look around on the harbour and there is also a castle, but I managed to miss doing that too – our local beach was just too tempting!
Ftenagia Beach which was a five minute walk from our accommodation:-
Kania beach was on the other side of the island:-
We stayed at the Aretanassa Hotel for the last two nights of our holiday – a really special place. Run by the lovely Yiannis Parlavantzas and his gorgeous daughter – nothing was too much trouble. He features in my photos taking a much needed swim! Our rooms overlooked the harbour and you could swim off the side. Glorious. I’d definitely stay there again:-
Random views around the island – a photo diary will give you the best idea of what it looks like:-
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