The places of the heart

Kasos

Never heard this name? No wonder. Kasos is the ultimate frontier of anti-tourism. This small jewel located 6 miles west of the southern tip of Karpathos, is projected toward Crete and has a 20-mile coastline that can be sailed in a day. The northern coast, open to the gusting meltemi, offers a safe shelter in the small port of Fry where life is peaceful and the welcoming and warm inhabitants don’t live on tourism but on fishing. Leaving the coast, an easy car drive or a pleasant walk lead to some traditional and totally unspoilt villages. A road crossing spectacular landscapes, climbing up the mountain before going down again leads to the only bay on the south coast accessible by the land, Helatros, where some locals spend the summer in very basic summer houses.

The rest of the southern coast can be accessed only from the sea but considering the position of the island meeting other yachts is very rare. Those who dare taking these waters will find a series of solitary and remote bays with pristine beaches and spectacular rocks of different colours and dazzling shapes.

Not to be missed the islet of Armathia, less than 3 miles from the port of Fry, offering a wonderful safe shelter on the south side with a spectacular golden beach dotted with granite formations.