In recent years we may see more and more destinations being altered by uncontrolled tour, yet, a small island in the Saronic Sea has followed a reverse course - Moni.
Moni used to host a campsite, but now it has evolved into a wild animal sanctuary, handed over to peacocks, wild goats and deer, and visitors are not allowed to spend the night.
From 1960 to 1990, he belonged to the Hellenic Travel Club, which brought the animals, its only permanent inhabitants. Today, for those looking for organised amenities, there is only one beach bar on the entire island.
A ticket to Aegina and from there, either from the port of the island or from the settlement of Perdika to Moni is enough to take off a summer weekend that finds you in Athens. Especially from Perdika, the routes do not stop throughout the day and take you in about ten minutes to this paradise that you find hard to believe is so close to the capital.
At the little port of Moni which takes its name from the Holy Monastery of Chrysoleontissa of Aegina to which it belongs, we were awaited by herds of deer and peacocks, which, although they roam freely on the island - or perhaps precisely for this reason - are impressively familiar with the people.
Leaving the small port behind you, a route through the pine forest - while the side of the island facing Aegina is steep and dry, the other is lush green - leads you to successive coves with turquoise waters, which you can only have with the company you, especially if you visit the island outside of high season.
As you move away, only a few ruins of the camp testify to the tourist exploitation of Moni in the past without disturbing your gaze and movements.
At the same time, whenever you emerge from among the trees in front of the sea, a fantastic view of Aegina, Agistri, awaits you in Methana. By the time you catch the return ferry in the afternoon, you've had your fill of relaxed swims and beautiful images capable of keeping you going for the whole week.
READ MORE: Kerkyra, the queen of the Ionian Sea.
