Dear Ursula!

First of all, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year from the bottom of my heart!

I wanted to tell you that your blog gave us such a wonderful and yet very spontaneous vacation in October 2017. We (my husband Alex and I) were hopping over the Cyclades when we met a very nice Greek couple from the island of Syros on the ferry on the way from Syros to Naxos (between 40 and 50, alternatively living people, like us). The two gave us the urgent tip to hop over to Ikaria. That would really be worth it! Ianni’s father was already in exile there in the 1950s as a left-wing intellectual. We talked about Rebetiko and dreams of a better world.

A week later we arrived in Agios Kyrikos in the middle of the night and, packed with our backpacks, walked under the light of the full moon to Therma, where we actually only wanted to stay for 2 nights, which turned into 1 week. We were warmly welcomed there and provided with everything we needed to feel comfortable. So we took part in our first Panigyri, which turned into a lavish celebration for us.

We were incredibly lucky to meet such interesting people everywhere on Ikaria who told us a lot about their island and its history. Your travel blog was always present. We found many of the things you described so wonderfully (beaches, hot springs) and had the feeling of happiness of successful scouts. After a week we moved on to Armenistis, where we felt very comfortable. We even tried to visit you in Raches to thank you very much for your blog! Unfortunately you weren’t in the store, so I decided to write to you!

We would like to come back this year (depending on how our projects allow it (we both work in the theater). Maybe then we’ll see each other. We were both fans of Greece before, but this island has something very special Place in our hearts. We are even thinking about affording a second home there and would need someone who can answer a few questions for us. Are you perhaps on Ikaria in late summer 2018 (September/October)?

We would be very happy to meet you!

Best regards,

Gesine and Alex from Stuttgart

Dear Ursula!
You are welcome to post my email on your blog… why not! It’s an icariotic declaration of love!
Yes, we were in your shop and met a somewhat shy, very helpful, handsome young person. I guessed he was 16!
Attached you will find a few photos. We hardly took any photos on Ikaria. We were so relaxed that we often didn’t even think about it. In a photo you can see our every morning breakfast meeting in Therma. Unfortunately, we could hardly talk because we don’t speak Greek (yet). But we always managed to exchange ideas. This fun group also sent us to Panigiri!
I warmly greet you from the very rainy, cold Stuttgart winter!
Gesine and Alex

My book tip: Language calendar 2018 – the perfect preparation for the holiday, your daily portion of modern Greek with varied texts, dialogues, proverbs and sayings, grammar, vocabulary and spelling exercises. The translations, solutions, vocabulary aids and helpful grammar explanations are included on the back of the respective calendar pages. Plus a lot of interesting facts about the country and its people. A varied mix of information, entertainment and exercise. Examples and exercises are also available online as audio files. Buy here

My film tip: The German-language culture clash comedy: Highway to Hellas – hilarious, lovable, cynical, honest, so funny! Could play in Ikaria! The story takes place on the fictional Greek island of Paladiki against the backdrop of the financial crisis. The island community received a loan from a German bank for its eco-tourism project “Galapagos in Greece” and pledged its non-existent power station, hospital and beach as security… Buy here