Close to Athens, but yet a world away...discover the charming island of Evia.

The green and mountainous island of Evia is the second largest island of Greece. With approximately 200,000 inhabitants, it has yet to be discovered by mass tourism, making it ideal for people who like peace and quiet...and nature.

A walker's paradise, where old stone paths connect quaint villages tucked-away in the mountains. A historical journey of a time gone by with Roman quarries, aqueducts and Byzantine churches.

Evia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with annual average temperatures of 20° degrees Celsius. During the warmer days, there are plenty of opportunities to swim at a deserted beach or a tucked away cove. Add in some traditional tavernas and waterfront ouzo-meze shops and you've got a recipe for an authentic Greek experience!

If you decide to explore on foot, here are some of the hidden treasures you can expect to find...

A walk through the beautiful ravine from Platanistos, one of the first of 20 ancient villages of Albanian descent. Over the arches of stone bridges, follow the river towards Potami hamlet on the coast. Visit the site of Hellinikon with foundation remains of Poseidon's temple, dating back to 8th century BC. Find yourself at Potami Bay, a secluded beach and possibly one of the most spectacular beaches in southern Evia.

Enjoy an early morning drive along the northern panaromic mountain road known as 'Eagle Route'. Climb Mount Kliosi's dramatic summit where ancient Acropolis remains defy time and elements. Witness the eerie ancient gate, the cave of Saint Nicolas and the ruins of Castro Armeno. Enjoy a gentle walk past wild strawberry bushes to the remains of the Roman marble quarries to the quaint villages of Styra Valley, which overlooks Marathon just across the water.

With Boublia as your starting point, adventure from Mount Ohi down to the rugged East Aegean coast. This famous gorge walk has a unique habitat of flora and fauna with peonies and orchids, eagles and falcons among plane and chestnut trees. An ancient stone path leads you down to smuggler's coves, occasionally visited by seals and dolphins.

Scattered high above the bay of Karystos and below the peaks of Mount Ohi, walk stone-worn paths next to springs and streams through rolling hills and Gourna villages. Discover monolithic marble columns in the Imperial Roman Quarries, perfectly completed and abandoned during Rome's decline. Continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest forts of the 4th crusade, and enjoy beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Use mountain goat trails and country lanes as you walk down to the fertile plain of Aetos, full of citrus, olive and cypress trees, before reaching the coast.

Explore the village of Marmari and enjoy a coastal walk around the bay before heading back to the historic Montofoli Winery Estate for dessert wine tasting. Taking in nature and walking through beautiful surroundings, will surely build your appetite, and luckily in Greece, good food is typically not too far away.

A dining experience in Greece just isn’t the same without spending an evening in a taverna – a small, family-run Greek restaurant. These cosy tavernas typical serve dishes in an informal setting, and the delicious food is often accompanied by traditional live music which livens up the atmosphere as the night goes on. Dishes to try include homemade filo pastry pies, moussaka, stuffed vegetables as well as a variety of other vegetarian dishes, fresh salads, crunchy breads, salty cheeses and locally caught fish and seafood. Greek meze are also on the menu and these consist of hot and cold selections of shared dishes such as keftedes (Greek-style meatballs) and dolmadakia (stuffed grape vine leaves).

If visiting Greece is in your future, don't pass up this little piece of paradise; get off-the-beaten path and explore the quaint Island of Evia!