When Tony and Maureen Wheeler journeyed from London to Australia in 1973, they were pioneering the modern “gap year” before it had a name. Their first book, Across Asia on the Cheap, sold 1,500 copies in a week and launched the now-legendary Lonely Planet guidebooks.
More than 50 years later, Tony Wheeler is still exploring – and during a recent trip to Greece, he discovered Kea, a Cycladic island that’s managed to avoid the crush of overtourism.
According to metro.co.uk, unlike Santorini, which draws up to 3.4 million visitors annually despite its small population and now charges a €20 cruise tax in peak season, Kea remains largely under the radar. Mostly frequented by Athenians escaping the city, Kea gave Wheeler hope: overtourism hasn’t conquered every corner of the globe.
Kea offers tranquil beaches like Xyla, with golden sand and calm Aegean waters, as well as quieter spots such as Pisses and Spathi. History lovers can explore sites like the Agia Marina Tower, built from local marble and slate, or the ancient Lion of Ioulida, carved in the 6th century BC.
The Kea Folklore Museum, once a travelers’ inn, now showcases traditional costumes, tools, and hosts summer events, including the popular Fairy Tales Festival.
There’s no airport on Kea – which helps preserve its calm. To visit, fly into Athens and take a ferry from Lavrio port. The trip takes just an hour and costs around €14, compared to the much longer ferry to Mykonos.
Summer on Kea can be hot, with August averaging 33°C, but October offers a milder 24°C. Even winter stays pleasant, hovering around 15–17°C by February and March.
Source: metro.co.uk
