Between fire and the beauty of the Aegean on the island of Evia in Greece

This summer, I spent 7 days of vacation on the Evia island at Palma Riva Hotel in Eretria. It was a week filled with relaxation, good vibes and exciting moments with my family.

My kids were very happy when we crossed the bridge leading to the island.

When we arrived, they immediately went down to the sea to see what the water was like.

It was very calm and a pleasant temperature, not too hot compared to the too high air temperature. The hotel has its own sandy beach with a gradual entrance to the water, which is great for children.

The hotel itself is set within a spacious property dating back to the 1970s, beautifully preserved with lush gardens, towering pine trees, and long rows of olive trees creating welcome shade from the intense Greek sun.

Charming bungalows are scattered throughout the grounds, connected by small pathways named after famous Greek islands.

We stayed in one of these bungalows, and it turned out to be the perfect accommodation, quiet, comfortable, and surrounded by greenery.

I liked the statues that were all around.

The all-inclusive experience was very good and contributed to our real vacation. Delicious meals were served in the main restaurant, while snacks, refreshing drinks, ice cream and cocktails were available throughout the day at the beach bar and pool bar.

With temperatures climbing well above 35°C, we couldn't be outside all day, so we stayed in the room for 2 hours in the afternoon. I also liked this part of the day because I always liked to rest.

But not everything was quite as calm as the water. One day, while we were peacefully relaxing in the swimming pool, our phones suddenly received an emergency wildfire alert.

A fire had broken out about 30 kilometers away. Although there was never any immediate danger to the hotel, it was a reminder that this region of Greece experiences wildfires every summer very often. There was a great heat in the air and the sirens of fire trucks and helicopters headed there could be heard.

Fortunately, the situation remained under control, allowing everyone to continue enjoying their holiday.

Palma Riva offers plenty of activities for families. Children could enjoy playgrounds, mini golf, table tennis, and various sports facilities, ensuring there was always something to do beyond the beach and pool.

There was a large number of French guests.

At times, it felt as though we had traveled to France instead of Greece, especially during karaoke night, when beautiful French songs marked the evening. We enjoyed listening, even without understanding every word. 😊

Every evening brought a different entertainment program. Our favorite was Greek folklore night, when traditional music and dancing invited everyone to participate.

We were dancing alongside the performers, a perfect ending to another wonderful day.

Friendly staff, excellent food, beautiful surroundings made Palma Riva a holiday we will remember fondly, for sure.

Thank you for reading.

Jelena