THE pretty Greek island of Aegina is the perfect Athens add-on, says writer Janice Hopper.
As Aegina Town comes into view from the top deck of our ferry, my boys Samuel, 10, and Joseph, nine, excitedly stare over the bow of the ship.
Talk about a picture-postcard vista – there’s a white and blue church on the harbourside, crystal-clear waters and a vibrant cafe scene along the waterfront.
The tiny Saronic island of Aegina is a popular weekend escape for Athenians – even the slowest boat only takes 90 minutes – but a little-known retreat for us Brits.
While my husband Eamon and the boys admire the boats in the marina, I dip into the town’s boutiques.
I come across Kokka, stocking quality leather goods, and for colourful fashion, you’ll be spoilt for choice at stores including Iza, Fistiki, Mix & Match and Koralli.
It’s hard not to splurge on the array of gorgeous sarongs and sandals on offer, and I can’t resist grabbing a bag of the island’s famed pistachios at Mourtzis – Aegina’s crop has been considered the world’s best since the 19th century (Mourtzis.com).
Perfect Perdika
After the bustle of Aegina’s capital, we sweep our sons into a hire car and head to the cream-stone apartments and villas of Angelina Boutique Escape in the cute fishing village of Perdika, 15 minutes away.
They instantly make a beeline for the hotel’s serene pool, while I explore our open-plan villa, decorated in baby blues with a terrace overlooking the boys splashing around.
This 34-room hotel could be very romantic if we didn’t have the kids with us.
Each evening, we walk 10 minutes to Perdika’s picturesque harbour to watch the sunset, and numerous restaurants are dotted along the harbour wall.
At relaxed Remetzo, we go seafood crazy – Joseph tears into fried squid and Samuel chomps on spaghetti with mussels and shrimps, while I opt for crayfish tails and Eamon devours cod with garlic mash.
Mains cost from £8.
I also rediscover my love of ouzo, £2.50, and try Greek brandy Metaxa, £6, before we roll home (Restaurantremetzo.gr).
On another evening, chips and traditional moussaka, £7.20, at Alkyoni Fish Tavern really hit the spot.
Mountain memories
One morning, after a breakfast of sweet pastries, tiny spinach pies and strong black coffee, we drive about 20 minutes to Paleochora, an atmospheric abandoned mountain village.
From 9AD, Aeginetans moved to the hills to avoid pirate raids, and we follow an undulating but not too taxing 1km hike to explore the ruins of tiny churches and houses set among wild olive and lemon trees.
Not much further is Aegina’s “Acropolis” – the Temple of Aphaia – where entry is £5 per adult and kids go free.
Built in 480BC, it’s dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, warfare and handicraft.
To refresh after exploring, I grab a cooling frappe, £3, from the unassuming neighbouring cafe, where the sea views from the terrace are jaw-dropping.
Having tackled Athens’ sights before we arrived on the island, I’ve promised the boys plenty of beach time, and there are several to pick from.
Eamon loves the quiet solitude of Klima on the south coast, while the rest of us enjoy the golden sands and buzz of Agia Marina.
Choosing between nine flavours of pistachio ice cream, £3 per scoop, at Fistikoupoli’s proves another draw – the wild cherry combo is an outright favourite (Facebook.com/fistikoupoli).
And by the end of our stay, it’s safe to say, we’ve all gone nuts for Aegina.
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