Greece's second largest island that you won't have heard of has a new hotel – and you can walk to it from the mainland
THE second largest island in Greece is less than an hour from Athens - but most Brits wont have heard of it.
Evia is split off from the mainland by only about 50 metres so visitors can cross the bridge from the mainland.
5
Evia is Greece's second largest island and is home to beautiful beaches
Credit: Alamy
5
It also has a number of thermal springs
Credit: Alamy
The island is welcoming a
One of the largest hotel investments in Evia is being developed in the Cheromylos area, including a
The resort will span across 54-acres on the seaside and have a total of 71 rooms, seven bungalows with private pools,
Only electric vehicles will be allowed within the hotel complex and at the front of the resort there will be around 200 metres of
Read more on Greece
Heading over one of the Two Bridges - the Old Bridge and the newer suspension bridge -
travellers
will find themselves in Chalkida, the capital of the island.
Just 80km away from
And here is where another destination is getting an upgrade.
The Saint Minas Beach hotel is being upgraded to offer better services and facilities.
Most read in News Travel
Throughout the Chalkida there are pedestrian lined streets with quaint cafes and restaurants.
Key landmarks include the Red House - a neoclassical building that
features
four clay statues.
The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach
5
And it only takes an hour to get there from Athens
Credit: Alamy
The town hall also
features
stunning architecture.
Visitors won't be short of choice when it comes to historical spots too with The Archeological Museum, the Roman Aqueduct, the Folk Art Museum and a range of breathtaking
churches
.
Chalkida was even used as a filming location for Triangle of Sadness, which follows the story of a
celebrity
couple who are invited on a uber-luxury cruise captained by a questionable individual.
Also on the island is Aidipsos - a famous resort which is capable of accommodating 40,000 tourists during the
summer
season.
Here,
travellers
can relish in thermal spas that even Aristotle and Plutarch used to visit, according to Discover Greece.
In fact, Aidipsos is home to more than 80
Sun-bathing fans are also spoilt for choice, with beaches including Aghios, Minas, Asteria, Rodies and Liani Ammos.
5
The capital of the island was even used as a filming location for movie Triangle of Sadness
Credit: Alamy
One particular beach - Alikes - is home to several
And Kalamos Beach features azure blue waters, with one visitor commenting: "One of the most beautiful beaches on Evia".
The same visitor said on Tripadvisor that there are some local tavernas close to the beach and also showers available.
Alternatively, you could head to Armyrichi Beach, which one visitor said on
Tripadvisor
was "just magical".
The visitor added: "The place [is] untouched by modernism. Both family and romantic couples the place is a must vacation stop."
Prices across the island are pretty cheap as well, with a beer costing around €2.50 (£2.13) and medium glass of white wine costs around €3 (£2.56).
It takes just under an hour to drive from Athens International Airport to Evia.
Brits are also swapping busy Spain for these
Plus, the
restaurants
that is loved by celebs.
5
And once on the island, prices are pretty cheap too
Credit: Alamy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
From souvenir stamps to different surnames: Five ways your passport could stop you boarding your flight
MILLIONS of Brits will be heading abroad in the next few months to make the most of the summer holidays. However, thousands of families are also being caught out by a number of strict rules in place, which has seen them banned from their flight. 5 Stamps in your passport are just one of the ways you could be breaking the rules - and be banned from boarding your flight Credit: Getty Most of the confusion comes down to not knowing all of the passport rules in place. So we have explained the five ways that people are being forced to miss their holidays, all because they made a mistake with their passport. Fake souvenir stamps Some holiday destinations offer a souvenir in the form of a Places such as , The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan , Machu Picchu and Ciudad Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador (where the equator runs through) are just some of the places offering the fake stamps. Read more on travel rules Even in the UK, the Welsh village Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch which has the world's longest place name offers them. However, don't be tempted to put the stamps in your actual passport, and instead ask for them on a piece of paper instead. One woman said she was stopped from entering Thailand after getting a Another was banned from her flight to the US because of a Hello Kitty stamp in Taiwan. Most read in News Travel Someone person on Reddit said they struggled to get a visa for India because of a novelty stamp, while another said they were banned from entering Malaysia for similar reasons. While some places might not might the stamps, it is best not to risk putting them in your passport. Brit yoga teacher stranded in Thailand & barred from return flight over 'tiny' passport problem…would YOU have noticed? 5 Novelty stamps are a huge risk to have in your passport Credit: Alamy Different surnames to your kids If you are going on Strict anti-trafficking rules mean that border staff are required to ask for any documents that prove they are related to you, or you have permission to take them out of the country. For example, if they are your children but you do not share their surname, you will need something like a marriage certificate alongside your passport. Mum Eddi Fiegel was Paris , as she was not married to her partner - so had a different surname to her. And a family missed their Christmas holiday to South Africa because their son had a different name to the mum, and the dad wasn't travelling with them. An alternative option is a consent letter, sharing permission from their legal guardian although this may not be accepted in all countries. Any minor damage (depending on country) When it comes to damaged passports, the UK government cite the following as damage: you cannot read any of your details any pages are ripped, cut or missing holes, cuts or rips in the cover cover coming away stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage) Any passport that falls under these rules will need to be replaced. However, Indonesia is known for having some of the world's most restrictive rules with a number of travellers banned from travelling to Bali. One man said there was a "minuscule tear on the photo page, barely visible to the naked eye" while another person was told it was "too dirty" to be allowed. Any tiny tears or spills on a passport is likely to get you banned from a holiday to Bali. Vietnam is also just as strict, with the UK Foreign Office warning: "Your passport must have no damage. "British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage." 5 Bali (pictured) along with Vietnam have some of the strictest rules Credit: Alamy Incorrect expiry date One of the most common mistakes thousands of Brits are still making is having the correct expiry date on their passports. Pre-Brexit rules allowed UK passports to have a validity of 10 years and nine months (rolling over unused months from the previous passport). This is no longer allowed, This is only affecting If you have a different start date to an expiry date, you might run into trouble, so make sure to add 10 years to your start date to find your correct expiry. You will also need a few extra months on it depending which country you are travelling to. 5 Make sure you have enough empty blank pages to leave room for entry and exit stamps Credit: Alamy Not enough blank pages If you are a frequent traveller, you might find your passport is getting a bit full. But most countries require For Europe , every country requires one full page, while countries including Germany , Belgium , Cyprus, Czech Republic , Finland , Netherlands and Portugal require two pages. One person on Reddit said they were told to get a new passport as they only had "three [blank] pages scattered about," while another said they had to get an emergency passport in Bangkok after needing a full blank page to go to Laos. One of the strictest is Standard passports have 34 pages, so you might want to pay extra for a 54-page passport if you plan on travelling a lot. Or you can try the sneaky trick, where 5 Follow the rules and you won't have any problems heading abroad this summer Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
New mega £2.7billion airport reveals 24-hour terminal that will ‘rival London's Heathrow' with UK flights
IT will soon be even easier for Brits to hop down under as Australia gears up to launch its 24-hour airport. West Sydney International is expected to rival London's Heathrow with UK flights, and it's just 30 miles west of the city. 3 WSI will be ready to handle 10 million passengers, with plans to expand to 82 million Credit: Western Sydney Airport The £2.7billion build has been officially unveiled, with transport and architecture experts praising the design. This includes both domestic and international flights, which will operate 24 hours a day. Prime Minister read more on airports The terminal's design offers nods to the country's iconic landmarks like the Blue Mountains, which have been recreated in a ceiling feature. Sandstone sourced from a quarry on the Central Coast has also been incorporated into the build. Noting the airport's design, WSI CEO Simon Hickey said: "Visitors will be welcomed by the stories of Dharug country that will connect the world with more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture while also highlighting the vibrant communities of Western Sydney." "Global architecture leaders Zaha Hadid Architects, based in London, and one of our nation's top firms COX Architecture were selected to develop the initial design concepts of WSI following a competition in 2019 that attracted more than 40 international and domestic proposals," he added. Most read in Travel "Fast forward six years and WSI is on the precipice of launching a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia, giving our global city a 24-hour international gateway that will continue to create significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney." Domestic and international gates will all be under one roof, making connections straightforward and more efficient. JetBlue plane 'skids off runway' at Boston Logan Airport with all flights halted as rescue crews swarm aircraft The terminal has more than 6,000 solar panels fixed to its roof, helping to reduce its carbon footprint. It will also collect and recycle rainfall to be used in airport bathrooms, irrigation, and cooling towers. Initial designs were created by the famous Zaha Hadid Architects in London, along with Cox Architecture in Australia, with construction using local-based Multiplex. While the major construction is complete, flights won't be available until late 2026. The current Sydney Airport was founded in 1919, making it one of the world's oldest. Despite a number of renovations over the years, it is unable to expand much further due to its location. WSI Airport partners Qantas are currently organising ' ' services for the longest flight in the world . The Qantas flight service, which will launch non-stop flights between London and Sydney , Australia , expect to be up and running by 2027. The project was first due to be complete in 2024 but faced delays because of Covid. Qantas has also revealed that the first route of Project Sunrise won't be from London to Sydney. Instead, the aircraft will be used for a three-hour flight from Sydney to Auckland in New Zealand. Eventually, Qantas will be flying from London to Sydney on a non-stop flight that will take a huge 22 hours, spanning over 10,000 miles. Currently, the longest flight in the world is from Singapore to New York (Newark), which takes just over 18 hours and spans 9,537 miles. But once Qantas launches the route, it will be significantly longer. Recently, Qantas revealed the design of its cabins, and they're even designed to avoid jet lag. The way they do this is through lighting, which Qantas says will "promote circadian adaption, sleep, and wake,' at different times of the flight. The aircraft will even have its own dedicated wellbeing zone - which is a first for the airline. 3 The airport is due to launch flights from 2026 Credit: Western Sydney Airport 3 It will provide international and domestic flights 24 hours a day Credit: Western Sydney Airport
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The Sun travels to three cheapest Ryanair destinations this month – but which one was REALLY the best value overall?
FOR a cheap jaunt to Europe, Ryanair is first in line for a bargain break - with flights sometimes as low as £11 each way. But what if low-priced flights sometimes end up costing you more, arriving at the destination only to spend a fortune on food and activities when you're there? 14 Ryanair flights are cheap but what is the best budget destination? Credit: Getty The three cheapest places you can fly to on Ryanair this month are Milan, We asked three The Sun writers to spend the day exploring each city to find out how much the entire trip costs once you've bagged the bargain flight. From cheap pizza to £5 pints, the results are in - and you may be surprised to find out which break was best for your budget... Milan, Italy 14 Sun writer Bex April May says Milan can be easily explored on a budget Credit: Bex April May 14 Bex was able to get return flights to the stunning city for just £30 Credit: Getty Bex April May flew to Milan Bergamo from London Stansted for £30 return. Milan may be a designer capital of the world, and while it may have its fair share of daft designer prices, you can have a fantastic time I travel here at least once a month, and as editor of Forget splashing £20 on a sad sandwich by the Duomo - Milan's tastiest food is hiding in plain sight. Our first stop is Panzerotti Luini (Via Santa Radegonda), a hole-in-the-wall spot just behind the cathedral, famous for its deep-fried pockets of cheesy heaven. A piping hot, freshly made panzerotto will set you back just £2 - though you'll probably want to return for even more. The stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II), right beside the Duomo is a I visited the tiny island that is Italy's best kept secret and you can avoid the summer crowds But, instead of wandering into the upscale restaurants by its entrance, take the lift up to the sixth floor and head to Their £10 aperitivo deal gets you a drink, and a huge Italian tagliere (meat and cheese board) for each person. It's the best bargain rooftop terrace in Milan. You can't go to Italy and An espresso at an everyday cafe in Milan will generally only set you back £1 - while a glass of wine or beer is around £4. If you are after a cheap tipple, historic standing bar, Cantine Isola (Via Paolo Sarpi), a century‑old staple in Chinatown - serves up even cheaper wine by the glass, at around £2-£3, with buzzy, if not slightly chaotic vibes. 14 Rooftop bars can offer a great view of the city and there are hidden gems to be found, says Bex Credit: Alamy 14 Food is cheap in the city with fresh pasta and pizza for as little as £8 Credit: Alamy No trip to Italy is complete without an Aperol Spritz in the sun so I took a stroll along the Navigli canals, where rows of buzzing outdoor cafés line the water. Stop at Spritz Naivligi (Ripa di Porta) where you can sip a cocktail and tuck into a generous sweet and savoury aperitivo buffet as part of their evening Happy Hour - all for just £9. Believe it or not, dinner is the biggest bargain in Milan. A delicious bowl of fresh pasta, such as a Rigatoni alla Norma, starts at £8 from fab people-watching spot That's your evening sorted, Italian-style. Best of all, some of the most beautiful things to do in Milan are totally free. Wander the canals of Navigli. Take in the majesty of the Duomo and the golden Madonna on top and chill out in the city's beautiful Parco Sempione, behind Sforzesco Castle - all without spending a penny. Milan might be stylish, but if you know where to go, you can enjoy Primark prices in a Prada World. Milan's cheap checklist: Getting from the airport: A bus from the airport to the centre of Milan is £10 each way Lunch: £4.25 Cup of coffee: £1 Glass of Beer: £4 Dinner with wine: £12 Best free activity: A stroll through Navigli TOTAL: £41.25 Belfast, Northern Ireland 14 Eimear is from Belfast and shares a few of her favourite places Credit: Eimear O'Hagan 14 Belfast has an incredible history, especially along the river Credit: Getty Eimear O'Hagen flew from Edinburgh, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland for £31 return . I may have lived away from Whenever I get the chance to get back there for a visit, I grab it, so I've almost become a 'local' expert again. Whether it's visiting my old haunts or discovering new ones, Belfast always delivers. I love that it's now a buzzing destination and perfect for a city break. As it's grown in popularity, so has the perception that Belfast must be an expensive place to visit. However, if you know where to go, parts of the city still offer a great time on a budget. Getting from the airport is easy, and since it was the weekend, we headed straight to St George's Market. 14 St George's Market is a great place to get cheap eats at the weekend Credit: Alamy 14 The Botanic Gardens is free to explore Credit: Alamy This place really showcases the personality of the city with live music, food and craft stalls to peruse, and a buzzy, friendly atmosphere. As well as being a cool and colourful spot, St George's Market is a historic building that has been home to a market at weekends since 1604. Better still, lunch is sorted with huge potato bowls from one of the stalls, A generous portion of patatas bravas is topped with a chorizo skewer and pork belly bites for only £11. However, if it's your first time to Belfast, it's almost compulsory to try the Ulster Fry at The all-day 'Bumper Fry' will only set you back £11 and is a proper Irish breakfast/brunch that will keep you going for hours. After a good feed, we headed off to explore Belfast on foot, which is the best way to see it. If you just want to go for a wander and see if a particular bar or restaurant takes your fancy, the Ormeau Road and Botanic area as well as the Andersonstown and Falls Roads often offer a cheaper alternative to the more touristy city centre and Cathedral Quarter. From here, Belfast's beautiful Botanic Gardens offer a step away from city life and are completely free of charge. You can also explore Belfast's historic waterfront area for zero pennies by doing the maritime mile walk, which includes iconic locations from Game of Thrones too. Stop at Paper Cup on the route for a £2.50 coffee to take along with you. If you plan on spending more than one day in Belfast, I highly recommend taking a £5 train to the beach. Holywood Beach, or 'Sea Park' as the locals call it, is only 15 minutes by train and is a beautiful spot on the coastline for a stroll and a paddle on a sunny day. Back in the city, I stopped in for some Irish charm at the It's a favourite of mine for a great atmosphere and live music, plus a pint of Guinness is only £5.50. Or if wine's your tipple, at While some restaurants in Belfast's tourist areas have a reputation for being inauthentic and overpriced, Kelly's is a local institution. This is one of the oldest pubs in Belfast, dating back to 1720, and about as proper an Irish pub you'll get. They only serve one thing - Irish Stew - and it's really good. Tuck into a hearty bowl with a wedge of fresh warm bread for just £7.20. You'll leave feeling like a local yourself. Belfast's Cheap Checklist: Getting from the airport: A return bus ticket from Belfast International Airport to the city centre costs £13.50 Lunch: £11 Cup of coffee: £2.50 Glass of Beer: £5.50 Dinner with wine: £12 Best free activity: An afternoon on Holywood Beach TOTAL: £42.50 Gdansk, Poland 14 Helen thinks Gdansk is an underrated European city Credit: Helen Wright 14 Gdansk Old Town is beautiful and ideal for a short break Credit: Getty Helen Wright flew from London Stansted to Gdansk, Poland for £29 . Finding a cheap city break and spending as little as possible while I'm there is one of my special skills as a travel writer. I love living in the UK and being able to explore Europe so cheaply and easily. But, if you don't do your research, a cheap flight can lure you in and end up costing you a fortune in food, drink and accommodation. Gdansk, Poland, is definitely not one of those places. Flights to Gdansk on Ryanair are always cheap and the city is beautiful, easy to explore, and inexpensive. If you've never been, it's the 14 I start off with a walk through Gdansk Old Town and along the historic Mariacka Street, which is one of the oldest streets in the city. You'll be surprised by the architecture, which looks more like a fairytale village in Scandinavia than a Polish city. Along Mariacka street, there are lots of cafes and bars, so I stop off a Cafe Kamienica for a £1 coffee on the sunny balcony. From here, it's a short walk to the Waterside Area which is lined with bars and restaurants but you'll pay extra for the sprawling patios and the river views. Instead, head into the Main City and grab a table at Pierogarnia Mandu, a modern restaurant that serves traditional pierogi, Polish dumplings. My favourite is the chicken, dried tomatoes and feta cheese pierogi, served with paprika-olive sauce and you get a huge bowl for £8. If you have kids with you, they also do a cheeseburger dumpling, which was a hit with my four-year-old. If you'd rather eat-while-you-walk, Ketili Puri is a Georgian bakery that sells the most delicious pastries to go. Pick up the khachapuri, creamy cheesy bread. For only £3, two people could share this for a tasty snack as you stroll in the sun. My top tip is to go to Gdansk Sunday to Tuesday if you can. This is because museums in the city are free on Mondays (some are free on Tuesdays). While fantastic museums like the European Solidarity Centre and the Museum of the Second World War are not expensive to enter anyway, you can get your culture fix without spending anything if you go at the start of the week. By now, it was time for a drink. Beer and wine in Poland is typically cheap and surprisingly good. Pull up a stool at Red Light in Chlebniczka, hidden on a backstreet between Piwna and Dlugaand, and sample the local bottled beer. Usually packed with locals, this kooky bar has a great atmosphere with a small dancefloor in the basement and a mismatch of seating upstairs. They also sell coffee if you're not ready to booze. 14 Helen and her daughter, Isobel, explored Gdansk on foot Credit: Helen Wright 14 Neptune's Fountain is one of Gdansk's most famous monuments Credit: Alamy Despite being a small city, there is something around every corner here. A look at the beautiful Neptune's Fountain is a must since it's one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city. The fountain is located at the Długi Targ, in front of the entrance to the Artus Court. This area is usually buzzing with people, buskers and street performers. My top spot for dinner is It's a fantastic place to sit and people watch, too. Dinner was a bargain with three courses, a glass of Prosecco or a cocktail for only £20. The food is beautifully presented and definitely feels fancier than the prices suggest. A meal here is half the price of the tourist traps along the river, but it's only five minutes away so you can walk it all off by the water, which is beautifully illuminated and looks stunning after-dark. Gdansk Cheap Checklist Public bus to Gdansk £1.40 or taxi is £15 each way (20 mins) Lunch: £8 Cup of coffee: £1 Glass of Beer: £3 Dinner and a drink: £20 Best free activity: A stroll along the waterfront TOTAL: £67 So if you're after a cheap getaway in Europe this summer, a flight to Milan to enjoy Aperol Spritz and a fresh plate of delicious pasta is certainly a good idea.
