Andros, the most northerly island in the Cyclades and the second-largest in the group, is also among the most fertile and beautiful.

Successive ranges of mountains with steep sides, separated by gorges, riverbeds and three large valleys planted with olive trees, figs, oranges, lemons and vines through which numerous streams run, make this a landscape which often goes beyond what we think of as typically 'Cycladic'.The mountains end as rocky cliffs or steep promontories, while at the mouths of the valleys are sandy beaches.

Gavrio, the main port, lies on the west coast. Although it is not very interesting itself, it provides safe anchorage for leaving the yacht and explore the island. The most touristic town is Batsi, a pleasant small harbour SE of Gavrio. This is the place for you if you are interested in nightlife. There are also many nice beaches with golden sand in the vicinity, like Golden beach, Green beach, Agios Kyprianos and Anerousa. Another lovely beach is Korthi in the south-east, which is far less crowded.

In the south-east coast, too, is Andros or Hora, the capital of the island and its second most important harbour.This is a most attractive town, with neo-classical mansions side-by-side with Cycladic houses, steep and narrow alleys lined with arcades, fine churches and two pretty squares in the centre of a town which will make a lasting impression. The landscape around Hora is wonderful, with golden beaches and green hills.

On one of the hills there is Sariza village with the spring that is said to have first quality water. Just a few minutes' drive from Hora, there are two superb beaches, Gialia and Piso Gialia.

Among the most important monuments of Hora are the castle, now ruined, and the church of Our Lady 'Palatiani' within its walls.On the cultural side, there is an Archaeological Museum with finds from the Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. However, the most important cultural events happen every summer at the Museum of Modern Art, which is presenting this year a not to be missed exhibition with works by almost all the world famous masters of the 19th and 20th centuries, like Picasso, Matisse, Monet, and many others.

Andros is home to many of Greece's seamen, and interesting cultural events take place there all the year round. Special mention should be made of the ruins of an ancient city which have survived at Paleopoli, just a few kilometres south of Batsi.

At Zagora, to the south of Paleopoli, one of the most important Geometric temples to have been discovered anywhere in Greece has come to light.

Even more special mention should be made to the island's local speciality, a kind of omelette called fourtalia. Try it at our own favourite restaurant "the balcony to the Aegean", or anywhere else you find it.

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