Greek islands: Serifos

July 2, 2023July 2, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

My hop around the Greek islands has taken in Tinos, rugged and covered in churches, and Syros with its majestic architecture and relaxed beaches.

The last stop – Serifos – is the smallest of the trio and has its own unique character. Is this the best island to go back to for a long, relaxed holiday?… READ MORE BELOW

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The mood on Serifos was set by my relaxing island base, with a modern, comfortable room and spacious balcony overlooking a charming little garden.

Just a short walk away was beautiful Livadakia Beach and the Vassilia beach bar, a relaxing and very friendly place where you could spend your days by the shore and have dinner in the evening.

Unlike Tinos and Syros, I hadn’t managed to secure a Serifos island tour, and even efforts to hire an electrically-assisted bicycle fell flat.

Left with just the feet I was born with, I went on a hike to see the island’s lighthouse and also walked all the way to the summit of the chora (old town) with the reward of stunning views over the main bay.

A view of the town of Livadi on the Greek island of Serifos

Livadi is the place to find restaurants, bars and shops on Serifos

I think you notice more when walking, from the detail of Greek island windows to the early summer carpets of wildflowers. These hikes turned into rich and interesting photography walks.

In late May Serifos was anything but crowded, but I sensed it was being prepared for the height of tourist season.

I felt like I was on vacation here and even dipped my toes in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean.

Of these three islands, Serifos felt like the holiday haven made for a relaxing week or two, although you might want to pick late Spring or early autumn to visit.

But with well over 200 inhabited Greek islands to choose from, the quest is only just beginning!

The tour of Tinos, Syros and Serifos in the Greek Cyclades was booked through Secret Escapes. Flights with Aegean Airways from Manchester to Athens, ferry crossings, accommodation and all other transfers were included. I booked excursions on Tinos and Syros separately.

Hotel prowler

February 12, 2016February 11, 2016 / mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

Normal people take photographs of their hotel rooms when they go on holiday. I don’t, no matter how plush they are. I prowl about the premises, looking for sleek lines and very long corridors, even taking sly shots of other guests passing through these places of temporary abode. I stayed at The Blue Water at Wadduwa in Sri Lanka and the Traders Hotel, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

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Island daydreaming

October 31, 2014July 30, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

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The hotel poolside on holiday is for swimming, sunbathing, relaxing, reading… showing off and trying to cover up. I become restless and like to experiment with my camera.

This trio of frames capture the colours and textures of the pool and beyond – the first image rolls the layers of sky, sea, beach and pool’s edge into one. I used my macro lens and fooled it into creating the abstract, hazy sense of relaxing by the water’s edge.

They are an homage to photographic artist Mariko Evans, whose enduring trademark is the dreamy, artful frame.

Cape Verde gold

October 26, 2014November 11, 2014 / mikeosbornphoto / 15 Comments

A temporary silence descended while I went away for some rest, relaxation – and of course to gather the rich photographic rewards of a new place.

I went to the little island of Boa Vista, the easternmost of the Cape Verde islands which are scattered off the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

We start at the end of the day, on a beach for golden hour and then sunset. This was the best one, a tropical show by the strong currents of the sea. It was that moment of the holiday where my mind cleared of everything else.

One to savour.