Travel Greece

Photo Tour: My Favorite Beaches in Greece

2014-05-08T12:28:00.001+03:00


Paradise Beach, Mykonos Greece

Having only been to the beach in the USA, I have swam in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans many times. The first time I visited the beach in Greece was on Paradise Beach on the Island of Mykonos. I was surprised. Not because the water was so crystal clear that you could see your feet clearly even when you were in the water up to your neck, not because there was not a scrap of paper or any kind of debris floating in the sea, no it was because it was so windy but there was barely a ripple of a wave in the water. This of course made for an excellent start on my voyage of learning to scuba dive.

I then visited Santorini where I found something even more surprising. The water in Santorini is not only blue like that of Mykonos but it is a truly rich and royal blue. This is because of the depths of the sea in the area, caused by the volcano that erupted thousands of years ago. Diving here was like sinking into an abyss.

Kamari Beach, Santorini

Here are what I feel are the most amazing places to visit the sea in Greece.


Balos Lagoon, Crete

Loutro, a small fishing village in Crete

Crete

Milos


Milos

Milos

Cave on Milos

Ready for a swim yet? How about some snorkeling??

Koufonisi Island, Greece

Symi is just amazing!


Folegandros, Greece

Skyros, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Perfect spot for a swim!

It just would not be complete without a visit to Zakynthos and the famous Navagio (shipwreck) Beach!

Here are a few more worth a peek and I realize there are thousands more but you will have to visit Greece to discover your own favorite beach!


Crete

Crete


Kos

Thassos

Balos Lagoon, Crete.


Giola Lagoon, Thassos Greece

Lefkada, Greece

Photo Tour: My Favorite Archaeological Sites in Greece

2013-01-22T18:11:00.001+02:00

The Acropolis

The Acropolis with snow, Athens

The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Delphi

Theater of Epidaurus

The Akrotiri of Thera

Akrotiri Dolphin Fresco

Akrotiri, Santorini

Akrotiri

Ancient Olympia

Ancient Olympia, Temple of Hera

The Lion Gates of Mycenae

Mycenae

Tomb of King Agamemnon

The Palace of Knossos, Crete

Knossos

Prince of the Lillies, Knossos

Knossos Room with Fresco

Knossos, Queen's Chambers with Dolphin Fresco

There are many more, but I'm not finished traveling yet! Follow me for updates!

Athens: Your stay in the city.

2012-07-27T11:09:00.002+03:00

This page has moved: Athens Travel Info, your stay in the city

Athens: Getting to your hotel from the airport

2012-07-27T10:15:00.000+03:00

Arriving in Athens can be somewhat overwhelming as you have just been on a very long flight and are still about an hour away from the center of the city. Unless you have friends or family willing to pick you up, there are a few other ways you can get to your hotel.

Some hotels will offer a transfer for a price but this is very rare. You can certainly take the metro but you would have to get off and transfer to another line or get on the bus as there is not yet a direct connection from the airport to the center. You can hail a taxi once you get out of the airport, there are always plenty around but sorry to say that these guys are not the most honest and reliable. Yes there are many good drivers out there who will be friendly and kind, not "take you for a ride" and may even speak a good amount of English. The truth is, I have been in taxis all over Greece and personally I have rarely had a positive experience. On most occasions I found that other passengers were being picked up and did the ride with me, even if we went out of the way to bring them somewhere else, and the driver charged extra for this as my meter was still running the entire time! Sometimes I was charged at the night rate (higher) during the middle of the day and of course there are those who will take you for a ride and I had this happen once when I clearly knew where I was going! The most frustrating experience I have had with taxi drivers was when I had my children with me or when I had luggage with me as I was refused service over and over again. Many drivers just don't want to be bothered with children or luggage or they might not feel like going where you need to go so they just drive off.

A transfer through a travel agency will be the easiest and most comfortable way to go. You will be taken from point A to point B without any interruptions, problems or hassles and your drivers will be friendly, welcoming and will speak English. Yet, you pay for what you get and a one way transfer for up to 3 people will cost anywhere from €50-€100 depending upon the time of day (normal business hours or late night/early morning hours).

Syntagma and Plaka are the areas in Athens where you want to stay. I do not recommend booking a hotel in the area of Omonia which truly is the center of the center of the city (you know how they say all roads lead to Rome? The same applies here - all roads lead to Omonia.) as this area has in the past few years become a very unsafe neighborhood with negative elements such as drugs and prostitution (but not the legal kind).

I warn you in advance to travel light. Women, I know you will need your day clothes, your night out clothes, your something if it gets chilly and your something special, and then you will need everything that goes along with it but I implore you to keep it to one suitcase - preferably with wheels and then only a small carry-on. This is because you will not find help getting off and on buses, taxis, ships or anything else.

How to take the bus from the airport to Syntagma in Athens:
1) Arriving at the airport in Athens, you will first go through passport control and then customs. Once you exit customs you are in the main airport terminal on the lower level.
2) As you exit the airport on your right (on the sidewalk) you will see a small ticket booth and there will be a few city buses on the road before you.
3) Ask for a ticket to "Syntagma." The cost is about 4 euro.
4) reconfirm that the bus you want is the X95 to Syntagma. This is an express bus with stops but the final destination is Syntagma.
5) When you get to Syntagma you will be above the square and will need to get/have a map to find your hotel from there. If you are staying in this area, the walk will be less than 10 minutes to any of the hotels in the area. If you are staying in Plaka, look for McDonalds (the golden arches) and walk down the street to the right of McDonalds (it is on a corner). This is Ermou Street and it will take you right into the historic district.

You can get a map by printing one online before your trip or purchase one at any of the kiosks around the square. I also recommend you have a look on the Athens Airport webpage for information about luggage storage, getting around and what to expect at the airport.

If you are traveling in June, July or August and have an arrival mid day, I do not recommend public transportation. It tends to get VERY hot in the afternoon with temps reaching near 100 degrees F every day (39C) and walking around with luggage in that kind of heat is a recipe for misery. Pay the extra and go with the transfer, you will be glad you did.

Santorini

2012-07-21T12:02:00.000+03:00

Santorini's Volcano

This unique, crescent shaped island is actually the remnant of what was once a fully round and very large island. One of Santorini’s most impressive characteristics is the still active volcano that lies in the sea, where the sun sets, offering views from land that are absolutely stunning. This volcano erupted some 3,600 years ago during the height of the Minoan Civilization. It is said to have been one of the largest eruptions in the history of the earth! Yet, no human remains were ever found on the island and officials conclude that the locals somehow knew what was coming and evacuated. What they left behind is still being sought after today at the archeological site of Akrotiri – a dig that has been underway since the 1950’s; more on this impressive site in another post.

Life on the cliffs

Life on Santorini (also officially known as “Thira”) is truly a feat of accomplishment where man has challenged nature and has succeeded. Along the side of the cliffs lie villages where the buildings have been built right into the rock of the cliffs. They are absolutely amazing with “infinity” swimming pools, rooms literally built into the rock that are called “cave” rooms and gorgeous terraces and private balconies that jut out over the edge and offer panoramic views that your cameras will never capture. No photo of Santorini can ever do it justice; you need to be there to see it in person in order to truly appreciate its magnificence.

Santorini has 4 main villages on this side of the island where the volcano is located. The first village closest to the bottom (and still at 400m above sea level) is the main town and capitol of Santorini, called Fira. Here you will find many shops, restaurants and the cable car that will offer a ride down to the “Old Port.” Follow the signs in town or ask around a bit for the “teleferek.” It is not the port that you want but a ride on the cable car as the views are fantastic. That little trip down and back will set you back about €10-€15 each but worth every cent, especially at sunset.

A restaurant in Fira Town

A stay in Fira is only recommended if you have a short period of time of 2 or 3 days for your visit. In Fira, you should visit the Archaeological Museum near the Town Hall and try the Niki Restaurant, located near the museum. I also very much enjoyed our meal at the Calderimi, in the same area. Walks through Fira will offer rare finds, great little places for a coffee or a drink and artists along the roads selling handmade goods. Do remember that September is cruise ship month and the town tends to get overwhelmed with tourists who have the day on the island.

Much better for a stay is the village of Firostefani just a 10 minute walk, up, from Fira. This is the village where the island’s elite chose to build their mansions when the island was resettled. This is mainly because of its proximity to Fira but the area is also quiet and the views from here are absolutely exquisite and truly panoramic as you have something amazing to see to the North, South, East and West!

Next up on the cliffs is the village of Imerovigli. This village is one of the most coveted for a stay on the island because it is at the highest point above Fira. Imerovigli is so famous for the views that they call it the “Balcony of the Aegean.” This village, like all of the others on the island, offers a main village square, shops, restaurants and public transportation.

Oia

Oia, pronounced [ˈi.a], is located about 12km from Fira and it offers white knuckle drive along the side of the highest cliffs to get there. Oia is known for its picturesque architecture, and many of the original buildings in the village belonged to sea captains. The village offers a lively atmosphere with several good restaurants, including “1800,” expensive and excellent. There are also steps along the cliffs leading from Oia down to the little fishing village of Amoudi. This walk is quite the experience and once at the bottom you can enjoy a coffee by the water.

Kamari Beach

While on Santorini you might make the journey down to Kamari to see the black beach and have lunch or dinner at one of the local tavernes. Walk the promenade and sip daiquiris at little beach bars in the sand. You might also consider a visit to “Ancient Thira” which is near Kamari Village. You should wear good walking shoes and go from the Kamari side as the path is paved on this side. The walk will take you some time and it is all uphill but well worth it for a peek at the ancient city, and the views from this point are stunning.

Santorini is well known for producing some of the best wines in Greece as the grapes are grown on vines trained in circles in the black volcanic soil and produce a unique flavor. If you are interested in wines, you should certainly visit one of the many wineries on the island. The Boutari Winery and the Santo Winery are my favorites and they both offer tours and tastings.

If you are a fan of cooking, you MUST try the “Selene” restaurant. It is considered to be the best restaurant on Santorini and they offer cooking classes! They recently relocated to the village of Pyrgos which is a village well worth visiting even if you do not go for dinner. You can see more on “Selene” on their official page: www.selene.gr Santorini is known across Greece for their exceptional cherry tomatoes and the best local dish using these are Tomato Keftedes or (tomato balls). Eggplants in Santorini are not bitter, have few seeds and they are white. Do try fava as it is a unique form of lentil and this version is only available in Santorini and Crete. If you find “Dakos” it is a dish of Crete with twice baked bread and tomatoes. Done with Santorini tomatoes… you have perfection! Don’t forget the wine!

Day trips by boat to walk the volcano and see the little islands of Santorini are possible from the Athinos Port. There is a dinner cruise that will offer mezes with beer and wine while enjoying a Santorinian sunset from the water, yet these are the typical “tourist” attractions. What I really recommend is the 5 hour, semi-private cruise. This is not only very well done but an exemplary way to see Santorini from a different perspective. These cruises run twice per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon at sunset. They include a grilled meal with wine and vegetables on board as well as stops in areas of Santorini that are barely touched by tourism or only accessible by boat. Pricing will be just over €120 per person and include everything. The owners also offer the ability to charter their ships for private parties and if you have 8-10 people you are looking at about €100 per person.

There are several beaches on Santorini, some with black volcanic sand, some golden, some green, there is red sand and white sand as well. The beach communities offer hotels with lower pricing if you are on a budget and there is a web of local bus and taxi service that will connect you from any area of the island to any other area of the island. Some people prefer hiking and trails are in abundance on this island with your reward being the most amazing landscapes and sunsets on the planet! This romantic, unique island was honored as best island in the world 2x last year. No trip to Greece is complete without seeing this island. Enjoy Santorini it is very unique!

About Greece

2012-07-11T18:53:00.000+03:00

Island life...

Greece is a small country located in a triangle consisting of Europe, Asia and Africa. Our climate is primarily Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Our population is just under 11 million people and there is more than 13,000km (8.5mi) of coastline, which means that there are plenty of pristine Blue Flag beaches and crystal clear waters for everyone. Yet, eighty percent of Greece consists of mountains or hills which makes this one of the rare places in the world where you can stand on top of a mountain and capture views that reach out to the sea. Absolutely spectacular when you weigh in the natural landscape in between, like the volcano of Santorini or the lush green valleys of Crete. Even more captivating when you have whitewashed houses dotting the hillsides or charming old villages climbing down the mountainside.

Little Venice, Mykonos

The locals pride themselves on offering their hospitality to strangers and this will be evident in every part of Greece that you visit. Foods are prepared from very fresh ingredients, often from local gardens and livestock. Wines are also produced locally and you should certainly try the different varieties in each area you visit. The Greek people are all very fond of their music and dancing. Do take part in any possible event where you can join in as it will certainly be one of the most fun experiences of your life.

Temple of Poseidon

Traveling to Greece might include a mainland trek to see the most important sites of the country such as the Theater in Epidaurus where you will also find the world’s first Medical Center, King Agamemnon’s Mycenae, Ancient Olympia where the first Olympic Games took place, the ancient city of Delphi with its Oracle and Meteora with its amazing rock formations that house incredible Monasteries. Yet the exceptional Minoan Palace of Knossos is only found in Crete, the largest and most impressive of our islands. No matter which of the museums, landmarks and ancient sites you choose, the Acropolis in Athens will certainly be one of the highlights of your trip. Don’t forget to stop in at the new Acropolis Museum and do have a look at the impressive Temple of Zeus, right in the heart of this big modern city.

Paxos

You might also couple some time on the mainland with a little island hopping. Our islands range from barely touched by tourism to those having a very organized tourism infrastructure. The islands best for first time visitors would be Mykonos, Santorini and Crete. Those great for seasoned travelers would be Tinos, Folegandros and perhaps Milos or Sifnos. For those seeking privacy and a very quiet stay, Paxos is ideal and works well with a visit to Corfu.

Greece is unique and will certainly offer the adventure and experience of a lifetime. You will quickly and easily fall in love with its natural beauty and its people. You will also partake in its history and see evidence of thousands of years of life no matter where you go. A word of warning though… once you visit Greece, you will long to return all the days of your life.

Alkyonides Meres (The Myth of Halcyon)

2011-02-08T18:21:00.000+02:00

This page has moved to: Alyonides Meres, Greece's Summer in Winter

Easter in Greece: Pascha The Feast of Feasts

2009-04-05T09:39:00.000+03:00

The Greek people are very religious and their religion is a part of everyday life here in Greece. The dominating religion here is Greek Orthodox which is Christian and very similar to the Catholic religion. This year, 2009, Easter will fall on the 19th of April in Greece.

The celebrations begin about 7 weeks prior to Easter with the Carnival Season, called the “Apokreas.” The last two days of Carnival boast parades all over the country but the biggest is in Patras which is about 3 hours south of Athens in the Peloponnese area. The last day of carnival is marked with a burning of one of the floats at midnight and the next day is the first day of Lent, called “Clean Monday” or in Greek, “Kathara Defthera.” Clean Monday is the day that we clean up after the carnival and we clean out our fridge for fasting. Eggs, meat, cheese and depending upon how rigorous you plan to fast, you may even put the oils away. The day is celebrated by going to the countryside to enjoy a meal and fly your kite. This year we were in a small mountain village in Northern Greece where the municipality offered bean soup “Fasolada”, halva, “Lagana” (which is a bread specially prepared for this day only and it is made for fasting), olives and of course wine and music; all for free! The day was perfectly sunny and a warm 75 degrees with a breeze strong enough to get the kites up high. Fasting will continue for the next 7 weeks until Easter Sunday.

Holy week is the 7 days before and including Easter Sunday. This is truly the best time of year to be in Greece no matter what you believe in. The locals will go to Church every day throughout this week as special liturgies are read each day. In the morning on Holy Thursday the parishioners are called to receive Holy Communion which represents the earthly presence of Christ as it did at the last supper. In the evening of Holy Thursday the Greek Orthodox Church will have the preparation for the “Epitafi,” which literally translates to funeral. That evening parishioners will prepare a symbolic coffin, lavishly adorned with flowers and have it available for viewing at the Church. It is the reliving of events leading up the crucifixion and burial of Christ.

Waking up for your first time on Good Friday is something you will never forget as long as you live. The church bells start ringing very early in the morning with a slow ominous “ding… ding, ding… ding.” This goes on throughout the day at specific intervals. In Greece when a person dies the Church rings the bell in the morning to notify the parishioners that there will be a burial that day. On Good Friday the bells ring throughout the day as a constant reminder and the quiet of the day will bring upon a sort of gloom in the air that is undeniable. In the afternoon the priest will take the body of Christ down from the crucifix, wrap it in a shroud and place it on the altar. Following the service called “the Lamentations at the Tomb,” the priest will carry the Epitaphios (which is a painted cloth likeness of Christ) and place it in the coffin as a symbol of the Tomb of Christ. The priest will then lead a procession out of the Church and into the village square. Each parishioner will hold a lit candle and chant as they walk around the square.

I can describe Good Friday in as much detail as possible but there is one aspect present that you can only understand if you are physically there to experience it. As you are walking with your lit candle in the procession or if you are just looking upon it from the sidelines, you will become overwhelmed with a feeling of unity. Looking over thousands of candles in the hands of men, women and children, people in the square, those on their balcony overlooking the square, shop owners standing on their doorsteps with a candle in hand, the chanting, the mourning… This is an entire community coming together in lamentation over the death of Jesus Christ. It is not the typical Sunday and dragging yourself out of bed to be a good Christian who goes to Church. This is people out in the street, rain or wind and holding a candle and being part of something. So many will have tears in their eyes, it is the mourning of the death of Christ and it is overwhelming. Then, when thinking about it even more you realize that it is not only this small community but the entire country has stopped everything completely to take to the streets and join a procession of mourners. Then you realize… it is not only in Greece but this is happening all over the world. You become part of something so very important, so vast that it has transcended more than 2000 years and has landed right in your hands as you hold a candle and begin to weep in awe of it all. It gives rise to so many other realizations and questions and once you have experienced this, life has changed somehow.

By now you and your family will have purchased your “lambadas.” These are the candles you will use on Holy Saturday to receive the Holy Fire. Lambadas are a huge business in Greece as everyone must have one and they are decorated lavishly. For the children they come with game packs, toys and in just about every theme you can imagine. You might also want to get a small lantern to bring the flame home with you, burning the doorframe slightly as you enter to keep evil out.

Holy Saturday is marked with the Greek Patriarch receiving the Holy Fire from Jerusalem. This is another amazing event and a true miracle that takes place every year. There is a church called the “Church of the Resurrection” located in the Old City of Jerusalem (also called the “Church of the Holy Sepulchre”). The Tomb of Christ is located here and at noon on Holy Saturday, several important Patriarchs enter the area known as the “Sepulchre” and pray. After their prayers a miraculous light emerges and two candles are lit from it. The area is packed with people and as soon as the first two candles are lit, other candles light spontaneously. At first the fire does not burn to the touch and many people will put their hands and faces into the flames without being burned. The flame is handed from person to person by candle and flown all over the world. Throughout the day the candle is passed from priest to priest, church to church and finally just before midnight the parishioners will go out into the courtyard of the Church and receive the flame for their lambadas. Moments later at precisely midnight, the church bells will ring frantically signifying the resurrection of Christ. The priest will loudly proclaim “Christos Anesti,” (Christ has risen)!! Fireworks and fire crackers can be heard everywhere; there is no sleep for the wicked this night!

The lamb has been slaughtered and we return home after midnight to eat a meal of soup made from the entrails of the animal, it is called Margaritsa and it is the first meat consumed in more than 40 days. In the morning after the Easter service we set to work in preparation for the feast. Easter is called “Pascha” in Greek and it refers to “The Feast of Feasts.” People gather together to celebrate and roast a lamb on an spit over an open flame. Easter eggs have been dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ and will be present on every Easter table. There will be home made wine flowing, music playing and a lighthearted feeling throughout the countryside. In some areas of Greece rows of lambs are roasted in the village square, in other areas the town shouts “Judas!” Mykonos is one of the biggest destinations for celebrating Easter and every year the island is packed to full capacity for a few days. No matter where you celebrate Easter in Greece, it is sure to be an experience you will never forget.

Delos Island

2009-02-26T08:40:00.000+02:00

Delos is the mystical island, it was the center of commerce and religion in ancient times and is quite the center of attention today. It holds a position as the central island in the ring of the Cyclades islands. A local once told me that a similar constellation can be found above Delos in the summer months. You can only get to Delos from Mykonos although many other islands boast tours to Delos. In truth, those tours will take you to Mykonos where you will catch another boat to Delos and back.

It is said that because the island is mystical it balances positive and negative energies. A visit to Delos will prove that something is going on as you spend hours walking around in the hot sun and somehow return to Mykonos feeling completely refreshed and full of energy.

Delos has the ancient ruins of a city that once flourished. Key attractions include the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Artemis, the Marble Lions, Sanctuary of the 12 Gods, Theater Quarters, House of Cleopatra, Trident House Delos Theater, House of Masks and House of Dolphins and he Roman baths among many others.

The Sacred Harbor, the Sanctuary and the Gymnasium are well preserved and the Sacred Way is flanked by the famous stone lions which leads to 3 temples dedicated to Apollo and Artemis. The only modern buildings are the museum and a pavilion for visitors that serves drinks and snacks. Any visit to Delos requires seeing the impressive mosaic tile floor from the house of Dolphins and a climb to the highest peak where, on a clear day you can see up to 7 nearby islands. Photographs from this point are extraordinary.

Delos is about a 30 minute boat ride from Mykonos and is less than 6 kilometers long and one kilometer wide. No one lives on Delos today, the island is open daily from 9-3 and closed on Mondays.

Delos is believed to be the birth place of Apollo and as a profound religious center, no one is allowed to be born or to fall sick and die on the island. Rhenia, or Greater Delos is the closest island and it was used by the people of Delos as a necropolis and as a place of refuge for women about to give birth.

Mykonos

2009-02-21T09:22:00.000+02:00

Mykonos is the place to start since it was the first Island I visited, lived on and it is the island that I return to the most often. From the sea, Mykonos appears to be a storybook island with little white houses dotting the hillsides. The law in Mykonos pertainting to anyone who owns a building, is that the building must be white and doors/shutters can only be painted blue, red, green or yellow. This makes for an interesting setting and a little bit of difficulty when you say to someone "I live in the white house with the blue doors and windows."

Mykonos is considered the pearl of the Aegean, the trendsetting island and the most cosmopolitan in Greece (perhaps Europe). This is a tiny island of only 41 sq miles (105 km2) yet it manages to be one of the biggest destinations to visit in Greece. Unlike all of the other islands, Mykonos has 2 scenes; by day the beaches and by night the main town of Chora. Although there are really 2 main settlements, Ano Mera being the first and Chora being the second, all of the coming and going happens in Chora. It starts early in the morning with the fishermen coming into the main harbor with their catch of the day, the party goers just coming to life at noon and then the mid day lunch which is much like the Spanish siesta (called mesimeri).

At night Mykonos and Chora come to life. Start with dinner at one of the restaurants, choices from gourmet tex-mex to traditional Greek tavernas, gyro, mezes, and just about everything else, and then head out for a coffee or a drink in the main harbor before choosing your next spot. There are charming little places along the water with music and tables outside, a piano bar, and of course big dance clubs.

Shopping is another preferred activity of this island in that some of the biggest names in Greece and from around the world are found here. Names like DKNY, Prince Oliver, Nike, Diesel, Swatch and much more.

Mykonos is also home to several museums and art galleries but the biggest treasure of this island is not in "Chora." It is a little island just 20 minutes away by boat. The island of Delos is a museum in its entirety and is a must for any visitor of Mykonos. The locals say it has mystical powers that blance positive and negative energy. You can read more about Delos by clicking here.

Beaches in Mykonos are clean, most with fine sand but some with large, soft and rounded pebbles. The water is crystal clear and aquamaraine with very little chance of any kind of waves. Most beaches are organized with chairs and umbrellas for hire and they all have some kind of restaruant, cafe or taverna. The big beaches are Platys Yialos and Ornos, both are about a 10 minute drive from Chora and you can take the local bus or a taxi from town. The party beaches are Paradise, Paranga and Super Paradise. Other beaches well worth a visit, Elia known for the gay crowd that prefers to relax there, Kalo Livadi which is preferred by the locals, Kalafati which is known for the wind surfing club on the beach and the two connecting beaches of Agios Sostis and Panormos. The last two are quite difficult to find and at one time the only thing you could find on either of them was a small hut fashioned from wood and covered with what appears to be hay. On my first visit they played the "Doors Greatest Hits" all day long and served strong drinks to anyone who walked up to the bar. Later they managed to turn it into a real establishment and you will often find freshly caught ocopus being grilled to perfection while visitors relax in the hammock and at the tables waiting for a sample.

Underneath all of this lie the true Greek villages of Mykonos. There are Myconians that have had homes on the island that were handed down to them, generation by generation. These are the people that make the island tick. The wonderful little tailor who sits diligently at his machine waiting to fix a hem or a button. The old woman in Little Venice who sits at her loom making hand made goods. The fishermen perched against the church wall in the harbor tending to the knots in their nets. The little children running after a ball and calling out imperceptible words in Greek. And let's not forget the woman who picks flowers and vegetables from her garden each morning and rides her donkey down to the port to sell them.

There are more than 365 churches on Mykonos, most of them are privately owned and are built in honor of a relative that has passed. Each Greek name has a day and on that day a feast is held in your honor. Private churches and chapels are named after the person it is built to honor and each year a feast is held at the house and all are welcome. These are called "Panayiri." The largest feast day is on the 15th of August as it is the celebration of the Virgin Mary. Anyone named Maria, Panagioti and other versions of these names will have their celebration too. It is also the busiest time of year for tourism and the most expensive time to visit the Greek islands.

When is the best time to visit the islands? That would be mid May through the end of June and mid September through to mid October. In May and June there is no chance of rain and all the flowers are in bloom. Islands like Mykonos that become dry and barren in August are quite Green early in the year. Tourism is in full swing but it is not crowded or over crowded and pricing at the hotels is still quite fair and reasonable. September and October will be windy (I am hard pressed to remember days on Mykonos that were not windy and windy days always remind me of Mykonos) and during the fall months there is always a chance of rain but not for days, only for minutes or hours. We have been swimming as late as the 18th of October during long summers and even if it is not warm enough for swimming and sunbathing in October the weather is still sunny and warm enough for being outside and enjoying meals in the fresh air.

Choosing a hotel on Mykonos can be a bit overwhelming. Since my first visit in 1997, many, many new hotels have been built. Pricing is certainly a factor when it comes to choosing a hotel but location is also important. If you are only on the island for a short stay, choose something in town (Chora) or as close to it as possible so you can walk to town at night. The areas within a 5-10 minute walk from town that offer views would be Tagoo, Tourlos, School of Fine Arts area and Megali Ammos. If you have more time 3 nights or more, or if you are traveling with family, go for a stay at the beach (but not in May or October as there will barely be anything open).

You can expect everyone on the island to speak English, many speak Italian, French and German as well. The locals adore it when you make an attempt to speak a little Greek so do practice a little before you go. I can provide what I call "instant Greek" which is simply a list of words and their pronunciations if you like. Just ask for it in a comment and I'll post.

Also, plan to try everything and just go with the flow. This attitude will make your stay more interesting and much more fun. Don't expect to find the comforts of home in another country, accept the new culture and rejoice in it!

Nightlife is abundant and well known on Mykonos. The party starts in the afternoon on the beaches and ends shortly after the sun comes up each morning. Bring that crazy outfit you had to have but are too timid to wear at home because it will be appreciated on Mykonos. After the bars and clubs in town start to close, the after hours clubs such as Cavo Paradiso come to life. There are restaurants for everyone from the traditional souvlaki shop to fine dining establishments. You can opt for a night of bouzouki or catch the latest movie at the outdoor theater. For me, sipping a cool drink by the water is the perfect evening out.

Mykonos is accessed by plane from Athens, ferry boat, catamaran and high speed boats from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina. From Rafina the Sea Jet does the trip 2 times per day and takes only 2 hours. It is the best way to go if you can get to the port of Rafina. The ferry boat takes 5 hours from Rafina and 6 from Piraeus (go for the airplane type seating for 2-3 euro more, worth it as you have an assigned seat in a non smoking section and can still get up to walk around or go out on deck when you like). Of course you can fly and both Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines offer 50 minute flights to and from Athens starting at 7am and continuing throughout the day. There are also direct planes coming into Mykonos' international airport from Italy and London.

There is more to say on Mykonos than I can write in one little blog. It has become my second home here in Greece and this is the island where I found a renewed spiritual connection, a mystical energy from Delos and my life changed each time I lived there. If you want to know anything about the island at all, just inbox me.