Another group of islands in the Aegean is the Cyclades so named because the islands form a
circle around the sacred island Delos. The islands are known for their history dating back
to the bronze age, but they also offer unspoiled beaches, entertainment, dining and local
handicrafts. The islands are close enough together to allow a relaxed sailing schedule.
Among the more popular islands in the group are:
MYKONOS. One of the most frequented of all the Greek Islands, Mykonos is
immediately identifiable by the many windmills perched atop the island's heights.
All-night cafes and discos vie for the visitor's attention, as they line the colorful and
busy streets next to shops and whitewashed houses. Airport. Yacht provisioning
facilities.
Delos. A visit to Delos is a visit to legends. Said to have risen
from the sea, the island is in Greek mythology the birthplace of Apollo (god of wisdom and
light) and his sister Artemis (goddess of the hunt). The remains of ancient temples and
shrines are your living adventures in history. The island was in fact considered so sacred
in ancient times that it was forbidden to be born or die there. |
|
PAROS. Large, rocky and
bathed in Aegean light, Paros was celebrated in ancient times for its white marble. Thr
capitol town, stands out dazzingly white in the sun. In its center arre the vestiges of a
Frankish castle built in 1620 from the stones of an ancient temple. Naousa, a fishing
village 11kms to the northeast, lies at the end of a large bay. The surrounding landscape
is rich in vegetation and streams, and the all white houses dominated by a small Venetian
castle make this another dream island. For those keen on Byzantine monuments, Paros is
wealthy in its churches, all with excellently preserved frescoes, wood carved interiors,
and marble altars. Yacht provisioning facilities.
 |
