I have to say driving over the middle of the island across to the west to Assos is just wonderful and looking down at the view point is just awesome! IT is just like you see online. The fortress at the top with a slim neck where most of the buildings of Assos are, leading back to the main island. This neck of land provides a sheltered bay lined with caves below the Venetian fortress.

Accommodation - Vasilis Retreat 4 nights 288 euros - recently renovated these apartments are ultra-modern decorated with an industrial feel, very good size, balcony overlooking the bay, fridge, kettle, lots of storage, loved it. Small swimming pool also for guests with bean bags and chairs/tables in the shade. Parking is a short distance away.

By Noon we were checked, in and on the beach. We did not go to the main very small beach lined with a few tavernas but the one by the small car park and path winding its way up to the fortress. Very few of us on here, largish pebbles but we had purchased lilos so these made it much better. The sea was lush. Lots of snorkelling for me and both of us explored the caves along the edge of the peninsula. One very large one which you could get out of at the other end!

Assos is small, quaint and just so picturesque, it really is especially in the evenings when the day trippers have left.

We spent most of our time here on the beach. I was searching for brittle star fish and other creatures I had learnt where to find them over turning the rocks and pebbles on the sea bed of the shallow edges. I spent hours in the water leaving a happy husband reading his book. One evening we took a picnic up to the fortress to watch the sunset. The path is pathed, and zig zags up the hill.

Stunning place and virtually had it to us. There are 2 ways near the top where the path splits, we took the west path to walk to the castle, this path becomes a track rather than pathed. As you climb you see the walls of the castle. We enter the castle grounds via the gate of the Venetian Lion of Saint Mark. In the grounds which are large so do take the time to walk around them all. We did this the next afternoon. There is also a small church Prophet Elias which was built in 1888 and ruins of another dating from 1500. The castle was built by a Venetian architect Marino Gentillini between 1593-6.

IT is a fascinating place, not much information there which is a shame but as we do look on line. The walk back gives fabulous views of Assos and the surrounding coast line. In total the walk from our room to the top, around and back was 2.75 miles so easily done. We then spent a few hours at the pool which was very quiet and chilled.