Folengandros: It’s a quintessential Greek holiday island, replete with the archetypical  arid landscape and white-washed houses with a clear blue Aegean Sea in the backdrop.

Yet for its many admirers, the western Cyclades isle has a charm that is timeless.

It’s slightly remote, compared to its Cyclades chain neighbors,  like more well-known Milos, Naxos, Paros, Ios and the rest. There’s no wild “party scenes” on the island, reminiscent of jet-setting Mykonos.

Yet the island is both cosmopolitan and easygoing.  And it’s slightly off-the-beaten path — at worst, 11 hours by regular ferry connection from Piraeus on the mainland —  without any of the “tourist trap” pitfalls.

Long considered as one of Greece’s most romantic islands, Folegandros is also making a name for itself by offering traditional Grecian cuisine, with an emphasis on local products and dishes — without the “short cuts”.

A picturesque “Chora”, the main village on islands that usual stand on high ground, and several stunning beaches, but without the “loud” crowds, make Folengadros  an island where most tourists are repeat visitors.