The Cyclades

The third largest of the Cyclades has developed into an important center of tourism in recent years. Gently rolling hills surround the center and south east of the island, which is predominantly agricultural and is occupied by endless vineyards, and lock within themselves the famous Parian marble. The coastline is indented, with numerous small inlets and two large bays, Naoussa in the north and Parikia in the west. Paros has been inhabited since very ancient times, and was one of the centers of the Cycladic civilization. Parikia, the island’s capital and port stands on the site of an ancient city. There is a picturesque and ruinous Venetian castle and the courtyards of the houses of the town, all of them painted white, are full of pots of basil and hung with jasmine and honeysuckle. A broad paved avenue leads to the church of Ekatondapiliani, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the whole of Greece and a place that figures largely in legend.

Santorini offers one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world; it differs from the other islands in the group thanks to its geological morphology, the result of action by a volcano now dormant. The villages are situated on towering cliffs crowned by tiny and blindingly white houses that plunge straight into the depths of the sea. The traditional villages of the island are beautiful: the beautiful cliché of Greece you have always dreamed about! Among these villages, Oia is a place of incomparable beauty and is considered to be the best sunset viewing location on the entire island. The view above the sea is stunning. The island also has impressive beaches with the sand of your choice; black, red or white and very nice restaurants, bars and cafes.

Milos is a charming island, with white washed houses, cobbled alleys, balconies crammed with flower pots and fragrant tamarisks, which have been extolled by the poets. The capital of the island today stands on a hillside overlooking the sea at the foot of the castle. It is a most attractive town, with architecture in the characteristic Cycladic style. Among the most notable of its churches are those of Our Lady Korfiotissa, Our Lady Thalassistra and Our Lady Messa Panagia. The archaeological museum has a copy of the Venus de Milo as well as other finds from various periods. The historical and folklore museum has a collection of folk artefacts, samples of the islands minerals, photographs and historical documents of the greatest interest. The most impressive place in Milos is Kleftiko with very high white rocks and a sea cave and the catacombs are among the island's most important sites.

A monotonous grey landscape of rock, broken up here and there by a gleaming white chapel, is the first impression made on visitors as the yacht draws into the harbour. But this gives them no idea of the beauty spots waiting to be discovered inland, which together with the island's superb architecture, rank it among jewels of the Aegean. Apolonia, its capital, standing on three hillsides, with its typical Cycladic style of architecture, is breathtakingly beautiful. The architecture of Apolonia is an odd assemblage in which walls, terraces, courtyards and alleyways form large cubes in a continuous complex, in total harmony with the natural environment. Picturesque windmills surrender their sails to the vagaries of the wind, while no fewer than 365 churches and chapels sprout all over the island like white mushrooms from the grey carpet of the island's terrain.

Poros is a beautiful green island in the southwest of the Saronic Gulf. Poros consists of two small islands connected by a bridge, Sferia, a small rocky island and Kalavria, a larger and lusher island with green hills and beautiful coastlines. The main town and port of the island is built in amphitheatre form on the slopes of a hill. Along the port there are plenty of cafeterias, restaurants, tourist shops and many bars with foreign or Greek music. Places to visit include the archaeological museum and the island’s trademark clock tower. Also, the famous lemon forest which stands opposite on the coast of the Peloponese, and the Temple of Poseidon.