Spetses is a pretty island with a mixture of traditional and modern buildings. The Bouboulina Museum, (the islands’ heroine for her part in the war against the Turkish) sited in the house she used to live in is a must-see, as are the metal sculptures around the old harbor which are a good half hour walk (do the trip in a traditional horse & cart if you’d prefer). You can get across to Spetses via the KTEL service to Costa and then the local ferry boat, please click here for timetables or use the Hellenic Seaways hydrofoil (27540 51537). There is also a Water taxi service from Costa (24/7), or you can pre-book one to collect you from Porto Heli. N.B. Cars are only allowed on Spetses during certain hours so it is best explored on foot or on hired bicycle/motorbike.

Hydra is a small, rock island with an international reputation among artists. There are some amazing shops displaying a variety of talented work and a trip by sea around the island is highly recommended. The Hellenic Seaways hydrofoils have a daily route between Hydra and Porto Heli (ask about fares and timetables at their Porto Heli ticket office or call: 27540 51537) and the journey time is about 45 minutes.

Monemvasia is best seen via an organized tour on a traditional Greek Caique such as the Kelly Cruise as the hydrofoil services do not leave you enough time to explore, unless you wish to stay there overnight. For details of the Kelly Cruise schedule, ask in the hotels (even if you are not a guest). The name Monemvasia comes from the Greek for “One entrance” and indeed, Monemvasia is joined to the mainland by only a narrow causeway. The old town, built inside the walls of the fortress, has more than thirty beautiful Byzantine churches and a number of hotels have incorporated parts of the old fort into some of their rooms.