It had been fifteen years since I last visited Symi, a Mediterranean destination that leaves a lasting impression. As you arrive in Symi’s harbour you’ll feel like you’re melting into a picture-perfect postcard; it’s truly breathtaking. The harbour welcomes you like a mother welcomes her long lost children.

My “Back to Basics” holiday happened to be far from basic. Many expats have further enhanced this little paradise with bars, boutique hotels, shops and restaurants but Symi’s unique character has remained intact.

The island has 7 taxis and 1 bus that leaves on the hour and will take you uphill to Panormitis, a beautiful monastery. Pastel, neo-classical houses are scattered around the hills and overlook the harbour. This setting oozes Mediterranean allure, as if a stylist has designed it that way and the harbour extends towards crystal clear water where blue chairs and tables are covered with white linen, set symmetrically giving the illusion that you can fall in. Taxi boats depart each morning to a beach of your choice. For just nine euros per person you can get a return ticket, which allows you to truly get away from it all.

We met the charming Italian Christina who runs the beach of Agia Marina with her French Husband. Their daily offerings of fresh food are fantastic; a winning combination of Italian, French and Greek that will truly tickle your taste buds. For three euros you can hire a sun bed and it is the only beach on the island where you enter the sea by walking over imported sand as opposed to pebbles and stones.

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By Fred van Eijk

Take a stroll through this bustling neighborhood where vendors sell fish, meat and vegetables alongside more touristy fare of T-shirts, worry beads and replicas of ancient vases, and you’ll come across one of my all-time favorite treats : roast chestnuts. You have to work a little at peeling back the crispy outer layer, but it’s worth it! Chestnut vendors sell roast corn as well — tastes great with a sprinkle of Greek sea salt on top.

If you get thirsty from the chestnuts and corn, just a few steps away is the Salep vendor. What is Salep, you might ask? I passed by this  huge bronze urn for four days before I got up the nerve to try, and found out……. it’s orchid tea!

The vendor handed over a tiny cup with a foamy finish, a dash of cinnamon and the most exotic fragrance…….I took a taste and it had the strangest mix of sweet, citrus and nuttiness.

Apparently there’s enough demand for orchid tea in Athens to support more than one vendor. In the middle of Ermou, a busy downtown shopping street, this man has also set up shop. And instead of one gleaming bronze dispenser on his mobile cart……

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By Amanda Summer