Just 40 minutes from Rhodes by plane – but a world away in terms of international renown – Karpathos is an island of extremes. On the one hand, Karpathos does dramatic like few other islands. Take Olymbos, a village whose mountainside homes cascade theatrically down to the sea, or the gravity-defying rock formations that attract climbers from afar. But then there are the quiet coves and sun-kissed beaches adorning the coastline with dreamy regularity. It’s not uncommon here to find islanders wearing traditional dress, particularly at one of the well-attended festivals. This is, after all, an island with its soul intact.