Karpathos is a small island between Crete and Rhodes (4 to 5 hours on a ferry). Little is known about it's ancient history. But if you look around you can find remainders of old villages and graves.
Many invaders occupied Karpathos and the island became part of different civilisations like the Roman empire, the Frankish dismemberment, the Byzantine empire, Venetians, Turks and from 1912 until 1948 it was annexed by Italy.
Many times Karpathos was attacked by pirates. That is the reason why people left their houses and villages near the sea and did flee into the mountains. Here they build new villages, for example Spoa and Olympos.
Life on Karpathos was hard and poor people had to live on what the earth and sea gave them. Social control in the villages was great, everybody did help each other during harvest and in times of need. Money was hardly available and to pay the people had to exchange products. From about 1950 many Karpathians left their island to try and find their luck somewhere else in the world. Many went to America, Canada, South-Africa, etc. and started a business there. Now some of them come back to retire on this beautiful island.
The island has got a lot to offer for all kind of tourists. The last couple of years there are not many tourists visiting Karpathos. There are all kind of beaches. There are nice villages worth to visit. Nature is beautiful and waiting to be discovered. Most of the main roads have improved last year so you are able to travel all around. There are several routes for walkers available. There are a lot of good restaurants. There are nice bars and there is a discotheque Rocks .
The discotheque Mesa Exo close to the electricity factory has a bar inside and outside. It will cost about 1500 Drs. to go in. For this money you can order one drink.
In the capital city, Pigadia, you will find everything you need. There are hotels, apartment buildings, restaurants, bars (for example "Parasol"), cafeteria's (for example "Acropolis" and "Galileo"), tourists shops (for example "The Stamna"), jewel shops, clothing shops (for example "Genesis"), super markets, car and motor bike rentals (for example "Twin Eagle"), banks, two money machines which except credit cards also, travel organisations, drugstores, doctors, dentists and a hospital.
In the morning you can have your breakfast here.
