Getting there:
To and From the airport
Athens International Airport is a large, modern and easily negotiated airport that handles pretty much all of the major airlines including US carriers like American Airlines and Delta. It is about 20-30 minutes by taxi or uber from the airport to downtown Athens if you are arriving a day or two early. If you are headed straight for the harbor of Piraeus, it takes about 40 to 50 minutes and costs about 75 euros, without tip. There is a light rail between Athens and Piraeus. The light rail station in Piraeus is about a 10 minute walk to the ferry dock.
To avoid concerns about late or cancelled flights, and to start acclimatizing to the new time zone, we spend the night in Athens at the Hotel Plaka. It is a mid-priced, comfortable hotel with a fabulous view of the Acropolis from the roof top bar/restaurant.
Ferry to Hydra
If you are traveling by taxi, tell the driver you’re going to take a ferry to Hydra. They should know the gate number at the ferry terminal in the harbor of Piraeus. Ferries to Hydra depart between gate E8 and E9.
It is best to buy your ticket online. Last year tickets were 38 euros each way (although for a few extra euros you can get an upgrade to get wi-fi and other amenities). Tickets can be purchased online through ferryhopper.com although there are other online vendors available. Tickets can be emailed and accessible by phone to board the vessel. Tickets can also be purchased at the terminal.
There are a number of different ferry lines providing service to Hydra. We used Alphalines and the trip took about 2 hours. There are high speed ferries that will trim as much as 40 minutes off the trip.
There’s seating inside and on deck, but it’s windy outside. Beverages and snacks can be purchased on board. The boarding was fairly easy and the ferry crew were available to help passengers with luggage. The ferry we took stopped briefly on the island of Poros about 20 minutes before arriving on Hdra so make sure you are on the right island.
The ferry landing on Hydra is less than a 10 minute walk from the Hotel Hydroussa. Again, the crew were available to help disembark luggage. Remember, there are no wheeled vehicles allowed on the island. There will be donkeys waiting to take your luggage to the hotel if you choose but it is a bit pricey, about 20 euros last year. If you contact us by App (see below), we can tell the hotel staff to meet your boat with a hand cart to assist you with bags and guide you to the hotel. The Hotel Hydroussa staff will also help you with your bags once you check in and they record your passport. This will be followed by a meet and greet aperitivo reception in the hotel courtyard and we’ll then all go to a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Meals
Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 with seating indoors or outdoors on the central patio. The hotel staff prepare a great buffet with yogurts, eggs, pastries, cereals, fruit, juices and teas. The staff can prepare special coffee requests.
We’re all free to seek out our own lunch and there are numerous good restaurants just steps from the hotel. For those looking for quicker meals and snacks, there are numerous small grocery stores and our rooms are equipped with refrigerators. As you know from the itinerary, on four nights we will gather for aperitivo at the hotel, then attend a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. On alternate nights you are free to explore and discover your own restaurants. From our experience, most restaurants can accommodate gluten-free or vegetarian diets.
On our last night, before our farewell dinner, we’ll gather at the hotel for aperitivos and a display of the wonderful work you and the instructor have created during the week.
Weather and Clothes
Our selection of May for our workshop in Greece is a compromise between the more unsettled spring weather on the one hand and the extreme warm temperatures and crowding of summer. It seems to be getting harder to predict weather, but most sites suggest weather in May will range between the low 60’s in the evening to the mid-70s in the afternoon. Our experience last year was delightful with warm days and comfortably cool evenings. Nevertheless, since the trip will be in early May, we should still be prepared for the possibility of rain and wind.
I’m bringing summer casual clothes with the possibility of layering if the weather turns. A sweater, light windbreaker and shawl are advised. But also bring shorts, a swimming suit and sun hat. The town is paved with cobblestone streets. Outside town expect gravel roads so good, sturdy light hiking shoes are a good idea. I like to dress up a bit in the evening so I’ll bring a few skirts. But there is no dress code so bring what you think will be comfortable for you.
Shopping
There are a surprising number of stores on Hydra for clothes, jewelry, appliances, groceries and pharmaceutical needs but not paint supplies. I believe all of the stores accepted credit cards.
Tipping
Like most of Europe, tipping isn’t mandatory but is becoming more and more common. We usually tip about 10% in restaurants.
As far as tipping the staff at the hotel, our usual policy is to collect everyone’s gratuity and include it with a card we all sign and present to the management to distribute to the staff. If you are pleased with the service, a gratuity of 30 to 40 euros per participant would be very appreciated.
We use the WhatsApp app to communicate with the group before the workshop begins and during the workshop to coordinate meeting times, painting location, etc. We’ll set up a group on WhatsApp. Please send us your number if you are not yet a member of the group and we will add you. You will need to download the free app if you don’t already have it.
Miscellaneous
There’s no need to bring large amounts of cash. Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere. Taxis are required to accept cards. Visa is preferred. American Express cards aren’t universally accepted.
If you do need cash, there are cash machines available. We always recommend using machines attached to a bank. Some of the generic machines charge high exchange rates or service charges.
Hiking
The interior of the island is arid and rugged, and access is often by steep, rocky trails. The interior trails provide fabulous views and access to numerous isolated coves. Good light hiking shoes and a knap sack for carrying water are a must.