Ikaria

I have finally found the special Greek island I would like to retire to which is in the north-east Aegean. Both my best friend and my mother sent me the article written by the Daily Mail journalist Jan Moir, about Ikaria so I believe this is the Greek omen I have been waiting for –  there must be something in the fact that two people who know me better than most others thought of me when they read it.

I have therefore done a little research on Ikaria.  Located off the coast of Turkey, close to Samos where, strangely enough, I almost bought a share in a property a couple of years ago. Apparently the people live until more than 100 and are happy drinkers and some even still smoke!

Back to Ikaria – in Jan Moir’s words “the people live longer and better than almost anywhere else on the planet.”  Well, that’s a good enough start for me!

People on Ikaria regularly reach the age of 90 with two and a half times the frequency of Americans. Ikarian men, in particular, are four times as likely to reach 90, and are often in better health than their foreign counterparts.
It is said that Ikarians also suffer less depression and a quarter of the rate of dementia. ‘On Ikaria, they stay sharp to the end,’

It comes as no surprise to me that locals and experts agree that the most important keys to Ikarian longevity and good health are diet, exercise and wine, which us Grecophiles have known particularly about the island of Crete for some time.  We Brits could do worse than to take some advice from Greek islanders who are said to be some of the healthiest people in the world.

Ikarian wine, made from a mixture of red and white grapes, does not contain any additives or sulphites, but has a very high alcohol content of 16 per cent and sometimes even 18 per cent — this just gets better!  On Ikaria it is usually drunk in small but convivial measures, and never without food.  (Greeks are more sensible about their drinking habits than elsewhere in the West).  Please Waitrose, can you get your act together so that I can order some online!

A typical Ikarian breakfast is tea (made with wild herbs), bread with local honey, (bought by me in large quantities when in Greece to combat nasty winter colds in miserable UK winters), olives and cheese. Elsewhere in Greece the tea is swapped for strong Greek coffee and most of the Greeks I know only have a cigarette or two for breakfast.  The main meal of the day on Ikaria, like on other islands, is lunch: typically vegetables with pulses or beans, wine (of course) and bread – a must everywhere in Greece, followed by a siesta. The light evening meal on Ikaria is apparently similar to breakfast.

Horta, a generic name for a selection of wild plants picked from the hillsides is a well known dish all over Greece – usually boiled and dressed with olive oil and lemon or sometimes used in salads.

The island’s capital 

Agios Kirykos (Άγιος Κήρυκος) Its population was 3,243 at the last census, and its land area is 74.745 km². It is the administrative capital of Ikaria and includes the island of Fourni.

The municipal unit shares the island of Ikaria with the municipal units of Evdilos and Raches; of the three, it is the largest in population and smallest in land area.

It was named after St. Kirykos , the youngest martyr of the Eastern Orthodox Church, who suffered death at the age of three in Asia Minor. The Cathedral Church of the town is devoted to him. Agios Kirykos is famous for hosting the annual International Chess Tournament, “Ikaros”, each July.

As with most other Greek islands, Ikaria boasts its own archaeological museum, a traditional square, and a stadium (in Patela), which hosted the 10th Pan-Aegean Games.  It also hosts the statue of Skepsi (thinking woman), the altar of the flame for the Aerathletic international IKARIADA Games and the Lefkada Annunciation medieval monastery.

Hotels

There are a few small hotels offering pools right by the sea. Check the Trip Adviser site to see what others have said.

Ikaria offers an excellent diversity of beaches to suit everyone. From remote sandy beaches where you are unlikely to encounter anything except pure nature, to cosmopolitan beaches with amenities.The clarity  of the shallows surrounding Ikaria are unparalleled. The sea surrounding  Ikaria ranks amongst the cleanest in the world. Ikaria’s most popular sandy beaches are predominantly located on the North side of the island and on the South side the beaches are less crowded.

Music and dancing are major forms of entertainment on Ikaria, and figure prominantly in the lives of Ikarians. Throughout the year Ikarians host baptisms, weddings, parties and religious festivals where one can listen and dance to live traditional Ikarian Music.

Ikariotiko

While in Ikaria don’t miss the chance to experience firsthand the “Ikariotiko” (traditional dance of Ikaria) by attending one of the many Panagiria (Saints’ Days/Feasts) which take place during the summer. In the meantime you can get a taste of Ikarian Music by clicking here.