Astris
On
the south-east rim of the island and just a few km from Potos, we can
find the small rural settlement of Astris. Its name was given by the
inhabitants due to its starlit sky, during their seasonal stay of olive
gathering.
Just
opposite from Astris, lays a small uninhabited island “Astiriotiko”.
According to the tradition, it was the island of the Sirens and as
Homer notes, they sang and spellbound the travelers.
However,
it is a fact that Astris holds the best climate during the year and as
the inhabitants claim, it has the most light and digestible water on
the island.
In
this area you can find all sorts of beaches, other tourist organized
and others not, all of great beauty: St Vasilis, Babouri Amdela,
Salonikios, Kalami, "Tou Lolou t' avlaki". Giola, a unique location, owns a special write-up
in my web site. In the beginning of the settlement you find “Psili
Ammos”. This is a small bay with deep blue and green sea and above it
stands a small hill with olive trees which completes this magical view.
In various old books, I have found referrals to a therapeutic
characteristic of the sand of the beach and the existence of healing
spa (eg for arthritis), fact that I couldn’t verify from my personal
experience or the inhabitants’ tales. The beach is well organized,
offering deck chairs and umbrellas (by charge) and there are cafes and
taverns open during the tourist season.
Today,
Astris remains out of the irrational touristic development, preserving
a traditional profile and develops well its touristic standards..
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