Mykonos

Close your eyes and picture yourself on a beautiful Mediterranean sandy beach where you can feel the summer breeze, admire the view of the sunset and enjoy your cocktail at the beach bar . Chances are you are in Mykonos.

Step out on the island and you’ll feel the warm touch of the sun and the cool breeze caressing your cheeks; such diverse and yet such harmonious sensations!

Mykonos is called by the locals “The Island of the winds” and by all means, they are right! According to mythology, this is the place where the battle between Zeus, the father of the gods, and the Titans took place. This is also where the mythical hero, Hercules, killed the Giants! Actually, it is said that the scattering of huge rocks on the island are the petrified bodies of the Giants. Whether you believe this or not, it’s a great tale to tell your children and may even motivate them to study a bit of Greek mythology during your vacation!

The windmills, the numerous churches, the sunsets from little Venice and the amazing restaurants with local delicacies are only some of the places you have to visit.

More than the myths and legends are the real, and rare, beauty and charm of the island. Walk along the narrow streets of the villages and the labyrinth of Chora and you will be transported back to a time when the citizens of the island built their houses in such a way as to be protected from the region’s marauding pirates. You’ll see small buildings, one adjacent to the next, with sturdy blue doors and shutters.

They serve a practical more than aesthetic function, keeping the house cool in the summer and warm during the winter months.

An excursion to the nearby island of Delos, once the holiest island in ancient Greece and the place where Letto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis, will immerse you in a setting steeped in myth and legend. You can wander among the ruins of the ancient island and be able to imagine how it looked three millennia ago, during its golden era.

Delos is cluttered with archaeological ruins, beautiful mosaics, remains of the marble theater that once held 5,500 spectators and, finally, the marble lions standing as sentries at Lion’s Road.

Cosmopolitan beaches with crystal clear water and great beach-bars which are often frequented by the world’s A-listers can be found throughout the island. In fact, you may even find yourself enjoying your cocktails next to your favorite singer or movie star. And, of course, what more can be said about the renowned nightlife of Mykonos where the party never ends.