Folegandros can be reached by ship from the port of Piraeus or by island hopping from any other island in the Cyclades.

According to archaeologists, Folegandros has been inhabited since 3000 BC, while its first inhabitants were probably the Kares. The island is said to have gotten its name from Folegandros, the son of Minoas, when the Cretan colony was founded here.

Records show that Folegandros paid a "submission tax" to Athens in the fifth century B.C., without belonging to the Athenian Alliance. Of course, Folegandros could not avoid the historical fate of the rest Cyclades and so it successively passed in Macedonian hands, Romans and Byzantines. During the Frankish, Folegandros initially passed into the hands of the Venetians, as part of the Duchy of Naxos. It was then that the Castle settlement was built, in order to protect the inhabitants against the frequent pirate raids. However, this measure was not enough and so piracy continued, with the island being almost deserted in 1566. Later on, it was occupied by the Turks. Actually, Tzanoum Pasha prove to be worst of all the raiding pirates, looting and destroying Folegandros.

With the 1821 Greek Revolution, Folegandros became a part of the newly-established Greek State.

Folegandros is a small island in the Cyclades, with an area of no more than 33 square kilometers. Mountainous and rocky, the wild beauty of Folegandros enchants every visitor. No matter its recent rapid tourist development, neither the very landscape nor the character of the island has been altered.

But first things first! Upon arriving at Folegandros, you will see Karavostasis, the main port. Many choose to stay here and enjoy relaxing holidays, spending their days by the beach and eating at great local taverns. The rest will probably head to Chora, the island's capital.

Perched on the cliffs at an altitude of 200 meters, Chora is a traditional Cycladic settlement with a distinctive style... One of the things that stands out is the multitude of small squares that you will discover as you stroll in the quaint alleys. Do not forget to visit the medieval settlement in the Kastro area and the church of Virgin Mary with its magnificent views. In Chora you will find great hotels, taverns and bars. And...if you're one of those night owls, here is also the island's nightlife.

As you explore the rest of Folegandros, do pass by Ano Meria and check out the excellent Folklore Museum, as well as by the small villages Livadi and Agali, where you'll have the chance to see stunning beaches.

Holidays in Folegandros will be very special and probably completely different from what you have lived so far. Folegandros is definitely worth- visiting, if you crave for a different, unique experience.

Euboea(Evia) takes great care to preserve the old customs and traditions, while introducing them to visitors.

Apart from the traditional Easter that you can enjoy in Evia, with each place celebrating it in their own special way, it is worth seeing the very special custom of Piperia (Pepper) held every May Day in many places in northern Evia. From dawn a man is dressed as a "pepper",meaning that he is covered from head to toes with grasses and flowers by the rest of the gang that finally parades him from house to house. The owners of the houses give him treats (in some places they even "water the pepper" i.e. they thrown him water) and then they head altogether to the square where the great feast begins.

Euboea(Evia) is such a big place that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that every day a panigiri-feast takes place somewhere on the island -- especially during the summer months. Some of them are:

• July 17, Agia Marina in Aliveri and Marmari
• July 20th, Prophet Elias feast in Vasilika
• July 26, feast of Agia Paraskevi in Politika
• July 27, feast of Agios Panteleimonas in Agia Anna
• August 6, feast of the Saviour in Kimi, Rovies and Lefkanti
• August 15 in several points throughout Evia
• August 23 in Nea Artaki

All panigiria-feasts are accompanied by music, food, drinks and dancing, until dawn. Try to go to as many feasts as you can during your holidays in Evia. You will not regret it !

In the northern part of Euboea(Evia) you will find the Museum of Fossilized Mammal Kerasias.

This museum was created to present the impressive paleontological findings of the area to the public, while informing it about their history.

Among the exhibits of the Museum of Fossilized Mammals in Kerasia, the the visitor can admire skeleton parts from:

• Giraffes (Helladotherium and Samotherium)
• Feline
• Rhinos
• Hyenas

Of course, the exhibits are accompanied by rich informative material. The Museum of Fossilized Mammals in Kerasia is a very special museum, definitely worth a visit combined with a walk in the petrified forest of Kerasia.

More information concerning the Museum of Fossilized Mammals can be found in www.kerasiamuseum.gr and the number 22270 98304.

The Natural History Museum of Istiaia is located in Istiaia, in the wider region of Euboea(Evia).

It was created in 1956, after the initiative of the area's Hunting Association. In the Natural History Museum of Istiaia visitors can admire hundreds of mummified species of birds, mammals and reptiles living in Greek territory while learning exciting facts about them.

If you happen to pass by Istiaia, it is worth stopping by the Natural History Museum of the area.

More information about the Natural History Museum of Istiaia can be found in the number 22260 52224.

In the northern part of Euboea you will find the Museum of Marine Life ''Nautilus''.

It was created to familiarize its guests with the beauty of the marine environment and how this has so far affected our lives in areas we cannot imagined (eg Architecture, Painting).

In the Museum of Marine Life ''Nautilus'' you can admire shells, corals and other impressive marine findings, but also learn interesting things about the bottom of the sea and the life forms existing there.

The Museum of Marine Life ''Nautilus'' is definitely worth a visit, especially if you have children! Here you will also find a shop with beautiful objects and gifts concerning the sea.

More information about the Museum of Marine Life ''Nautilus'' can be found in the number 22260 31662.

The Folklore Museum of Agia Anna is in Agia Anna, in the woder region of Euboea(Evia).

It was founded in 1982 with the aim of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region. From 2002, the Folklore Museum of Agia Anna is housed in a private building, and among its exhibits one can admire:

• Traditional costumes
• Household Items
• Loom and other textile tools
• Agricultural and livestock tools
• Traditional weavings
• Weapons (swords, rifles, etc.)
• Rich photographic material

Visiting the Folklore Museum of Agia Anna, you will learn many interesting facts about the lifestyle and habits in the area.

More information about the Folklore Museum of Agia Anna can be found in the number 22270 61581.

The Folklore Museum of Kymi is located in Kymi, in the wider region of Euboea(Evia).

It was founded in 1981 with the aim of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region. The Folklore Museum of Kymi is the largest and most well organized folk museum across Euboea. The museum is housed in a three-storey neoclassical building and has more than 1600 exhibits, among which you can admire:

• Traditional costumes
• Household utensils
• Agricultural tools
• Military uniforms and weapons
• Sacred utensils, vestments and icons
• Jewellery and everyday objects
• Weaving and embroidery

Some areas of the museum are shaped into rooms (living room, bedroom) and workshops ( loom room, wax-crafts room etc). Adding to that, the garden of the museum has a small theater in which several cultural events are organized . When you find yourself in Kymi, it is worth passing by the Folklore Museum of Kymi to learn more about the history and tradition of the place.

More information about the Folklore Museum of Kymi can be found in the number 22220 22011.

The Archaeological museum of Karystos is in Karystos, in the wider region of Euboea(Evia).

The Archaeological museum is housed in Giokaleio Cultural Foundation and includes archaeological findings from the region of Karystos dating from prehistoric times to the Roman era.

Among the museum exhibits you can admire :

• Sculptures of Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times
• Clay figurines and vases
• Findings from the Dragon House of Ochi
• Ancient inscriptions

Holidays in Karystos need a visit to the Archaeological museum of Karystos to be perfect!

More information about the Archaeological Museum of Karystos can be found in the number 22240 29218.