Donoussa is a lovely, quiet island with amazing sandy beaches and crystal sea–small enough to explore by foot, but also with boat and bus service to the beaches as well. It is a perfect island to get away from it all and relax, as long as you are free spirited and don’t mind the distinctive hippy vibe the island is famous for.
Every town in Greece has a main church dedicated to a saint or important holy day –and when that day is celebrated (every saint and important day has a celebration day according to the Orthodox calendar), there is a festival. In Donoussa, the celebration is September 14 every year–the celebration of Stavros, or the cross, as the main church and town are dedicated to the Stavro (and anyone whose name is Stavros or Stavroula also celebrate). It is amazing to experience a “panagyri” or festival. The festival always starts at the church, but then continues in the courtyard for food and then to the square for dancing until the early morning hours! In Donoussa, the traditional dish of goat in tomato sauce with potatoes was served to all present in the courtyard (paid for by the church and donations)–and then continued in the square next to the sea with live music by Nikos Oikonomidis, a very famous musician in Greece who plays traditional island violin music. Here he is from last week’s celebration.
Every town in Greece has a main church dedicated to a saint or important holy day –and when that day is celebrated (every saint and important day has a celebration day according to the Orthodox calendar), there is a festival. In Donoussa, the celebration is September 14 every year–the celebration of Stavros, or the cross, as the main church and town are dedicated to the Stavro (and anyone whose name is Stavros or Stavroula also celebrate). It is amazing to experience a “panagyri” or festival. The festival always starts at the church, but then continues in the courtyard for food and then to the square for dancing until the early morning hours! In Donoussa, the traditional dish of goat in tomato sauce with potatoes was served to all present in the courtyard (paid for by the church and donations)–and then continued in the square next to the sea with live music by Nikos Oikonomidis, a very famous musician in Greece who plays traditional island violin music. Here he is from last week’s celebration.
