Emporios or Emborios

Emporios (pronounced Emborios) holds a dear place in our hearts. It's where Colin and I spent our first ever holiday together. We wanted a quiet idyllic place to crash out and do absolutely nothing, apart from staring into each other's eyes - and that is exactly what we did.

There isn't very much there apart from the five or six tavernas, a number places for tourists to sleep and the beach.

But, it provided us with what we needed for that wonderful week all those years ago.

I think our stay at Emporios was one of the things which helped us in deciding to buy our holiday home on the island.

It is at the end of a 24 kilometre cul-de-sac situated at the north end of the island and is the quietest coastal village with few inhabitants; mostly farmers and herdsmen or honey producers and those involved with the tourist industry.

In antiquity, it was a trade centre of the island since it's port was protected by Kalavros and Telendos.

We often go to the 'end of the island' as we call it, and spend a day or two in Harry's place (always assuming Harry's daughter, Evdokia, has a vacancy).

The place is open all year round, so it's a great place to get away from the rest of the madness that occurs in our lives. If we are feeling a little frazzled, it's where we head to!

The settings of all the tavernas are wonderful, but I think Artistico on a Saturday night, just takes the lead by a 'nose'.

George, the owner, plays guitar, along with a couple of resident islanders, and the night is always unrehearsed but nevertheless it will usually go on until the early hours. It normally finishes with people dancing on the table until 04:00 in the morning, and beyond.

No two nights are alike, so I can't really predict what you will experience, but it should be very enjoyable whatever happens.

While George does the entertaining at the front of house, his wife, Irene, conducts affairs back in the kitchen. Although, I am reliably told that she does venture to the front of house later in the evening, and that she has quite a fine voice herself. I think George keeps her in the back, just in case she's seen by some music mogul from LA or London. If he lost Irene, he would indeed be lost.

So, beware all yachtsmen, pick the right bouy on which to anchor your boat, or you could end up eating in the 'wrong' restaurant.

During our last visit to Emporios (Emborios) we were talking to an older couple from the UK. They were both extremely capable yachts-people (is that politically correct?) and they were telling us how they think the Eastern Aegean is, in their opinion, the finest place for sailing in the world. They have been coming for years.

In fact, when I questioned their claim, they went on to tell us they had been sailing in the Caribbean in February, and they thought the holiday which they were currently enjoying in June, was much more preferable to their holiday taken in the earlier part of the year.

Our first visit seems such a long time ago now, the place we stayed at is Harry's Paradise Restaurant with Rooms, and it's still there, as beautiful as ever.

It's run by Edvokia now, she took over the responsibility of this lovely place when her father, Harry, passed away a number of years ago. He would be extremely proud of her and his wife for what they have achieved since he left us.

We would highly recommend Harry's Paradise to anyone who gets a chance to visit Emporios (Emborios), but you have to know that they get the same visitors returning year after year, so you have to book early to avoid disappointment. If you go to our page for Harry's Paradise Restaurant with Rooms, there is a booking form that goes directly to Edvokia.

If you would like to know anything further about Harry's Paradise or Artistico studios simply fill in the form below and we will make sure it gets passed onto the relevant owner.