IKARIA: THE HAPPIEST GREEK ISLAND
Named after the fallen god, this heavenly island is the ultimate in go-slow serene tourism, where the locals live long and happy – and so can you.
WHY IT’S SPECIAL
Ikaria just doesn’t do stress. Or aeroplanes. In fact it doesn’t do modern life in any normal sense. That’s why this 25-mile-long, ruggedly mountainous island has become famous as a so-called Blue Zone: one of only five places on earth where people live longer, and better, and are, ostensibly, happier. More than two-and-a-half times as many Ikarians reach the age of 90 as Americans and, on average, Ikarians live 10 years longer than other Europeans.
Gerontologists say it’s to do with genes, diet, social practices (old and young mixing freely) and time-honoured routines, such as siestas and chilling at night. Ikaria is also extremely peaceful – it has preserved pastoral mores, and most people, of all ages, do a bit of organic growing.
The island has no natural ports, which has kept it apart from the rest of Greece. Its language is said to be akin to classical Greek in terms of rhythm and pronunciation. Musicologists say its folk music is the closest to Greek classical music. Villages are spread out and the roads are poor; public transport is almost non-existent, so you will need either a car or good hiking boots.
A stay on the coast at Armenistis, which has hotels, villas and harbourside tavernas, and the small but shapely Livadi beach nearby, should be combined with a trip inland and upland to Christos Raches, famous for its nocturnal habits: some 1,000 people (an eighth of Ikaria’s population) live in or around the area, and on Fridays and Saturdays and during panegyri (festivals) it’s a community hub.
With half a dozen kafeneios on the tiny main street, there are plenty of places to stop for a coffee and a spinachand-fennel pie or sweet pastries made by a local women’s cooperative.
YOU’LL NEVER FORGET… Ikaria’s peaceful high places. At the very top of the island is Erifi, a wide plateau where seismic action has created spectacularly deformed granite outcrops and huge boulders.
INSIDER TIP
Want to rejuvenate? The island has natural thermal springs.
HOW TO DO IT
Because there are no direct flights from the UK, very few operators offer breaks to Ikaria. Sunvil (020 8758 4758; sunvil. co.uk) can arrange a seven-night stay at the Erofili Hotel (erofili.gr) in Armenistis, on a B&B basis, from £856pp, including return flights (via Athens) and transfers.
Getting there independently is not that tricky – but it does take time. Athens is one route; or the neighbouring island of Samos has flights from Gatwick with Tui (tui.co.uk). From here, slow ferries operate, stopping at Fourni on the way. Villas and hotels on Ikaria can be found at island-ikaria.com and on generic sites such as airbnb.co.uk and homeaway.co.uk.
The Wood Norton,
Evesham, Worcestershire
From £105 per person
for a one-night stay
One-night stay
Full English breakfast
Dinner at the hotel (£30pp allowance)
Bottle of prosecco
Late check-out
Fully refundable up to seven days before arrival
Enjoy a calming break at this elegant country house hotel. Located between Worcester, Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham, this is the perfect spot for exploring the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills and Shakespeare’s birthplace. The hotel has
19th-century French decorative features and
arts and crafts oak panelling that frames terrific views. There is a 30% OFF choice of dining options, from a formal restaurant
to a more relaxed brasserie and a stylish
bar. Harriet O’Brien,
Telegraph Travel
writer, says: “The Wood Norton is a wonderfully intriguing place that has served as a hunting lodge, a French royal retreat and a Second World War broadcasting and monitoring centre.”
Book by March 31. Valid
for stays from May 17 until Dec 31 2021. Quote TELE2802; call 0330 162 1423; see terms; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-wood-norton