The island of Nisiros – an extinct volcanic crater - has a distinctive, almost square shape. The rich soil on the slopes of the cone is terraced and cultivated with olives, citrus trees, some grain crops and a few vines, although most of the island’s income derives from the quarrying of pumice on the offshore islet of Yiali. On a Nisiros Greece yacht charter you can walk up to sunken Stefanos crater for spectacular views out over the surrounding sea and islands. From here the boiling mud-pots make it sound as if a huge cauldron is bubbling away below you.

The less-visited double crater of Polyvotis is almost more dramatic than the main crater – the perimeter is punctuated with little blowholes from which steam puffs and around which form little pincushions of sulphur crystals.  There are some walking trails across the island – on them you are likely to come across members of the island’s pig population, who enjoy gorging themselves on the acorns that fall from the oak trees. The menus at the restaurants on Nisiros tend to feature pork dishes quite prominently, alongside local specialities such as pittia – chickpea croquettes.

Mandrakhi is the main port and capital of the island – it’s an attractive village with white-washed houses and brightly painted shutters and balconies. Here, you’ll find some decent tavernas. Nisiros is also home to the impressive 7th century BC Doric Paleokastro – one of the most underrated sites of ancient Greece and definitely worth a visit.