hidden europe 27

The island of Gavdos

by hidden europe

Summary

We take a look at one of Europe's remotest outposts. The island of Gavdos is south of Crete in the Libyan Sea. The fact that George Bush and Colin Powell have both visited is a measure of the strategic importance of Gavdos.

There is always a bustle on the pier around eight o’clock on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Paleohóra is described by guidebook writers as being "the sort of place where nothing much happens." That's true, but the departure of the twice weekly boat to Gavdos always occasions a little flurry of activity as bicycles, groceries and the mailbags are carried aboard the Samaria. She's not a ship that will win any prizes for beauty, but no-one in Gavdos worries on that count. The main thing is that the Samaria brings the supplies upon which one of Europe's remotest island communities depends.

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Editorial hidden europe 68

In this new issue of the magazine we present articles with a focus on Sweden, France, Greece, Spain and Malta. We have a number of thematic pieces too, taking inspiration in part from rail travel which is experiencing such a welcome renaissance in many parts of Europe just now.