Blogs from South Aegean, Greece, Europe - page 65

Mykonos is crazy! A definite party island. We stayed at the mykonian mare hotel in Agios Stefanos. The hotel was lovely...pretty much a white contemorary villa. The decor was beautiful and the pool was even better. We arrived here on Thursday and the first thing we realized was that this was one windy island! Mykonos is all about partying and having a good time whether it's laying out at the beach, going to the center or hitting the bars and clubs at night. What we learned fast was the typical Mykonos day which is to hit the beach at 5 yes I said 5 and everyone hangs out till midnight drinking and dancing at paradise beach. Paradise beach has the nicest clear blue waters. We arrived here pretty early not realizing the time schedule most people ... read more

Breathtaking...amazing...pretty much there are no words to do this place justice. It is unreal. Santorini is one of those places that you see incredible pictures of in brochures and on postcards. Whitewashed buildings with bright blue trim all perched precariously on top of one another, only these ones are doing it 100+ meters above the water on the edge of a volcano crater. We stayed in the heart of Santorini....Fira. Fira is very much a laid back beach town with quads and mopeds everywhere. The roads are so narrow that everyone is either on those or walking on foot. We spent the first day taking it all in exploring the quaint and charming town and talking to some of the locals. We also ate at this amazing restaurant call Naoussa...it was delicious! The next day we ... read more

Greek Islands Day One Boarded the ferry this morning for stop number 1, Mykonos. The ferry was hot and humid but I stayed on that top deck so if it sunk I would at least have a chance of swimming! We stayed away from the main town at Paradise Beach, lots of youngsters on the plonk from the night before and would probably keep going until they left the island! Got settled in then sat on the beach with a warm (they don’t understand the concept of cold here) glass of non-alcoholic beverage! Headed into town that night for group dinner, and a bit of an orientation walk. Saw the famous windmills and little Venice. Nice dinner then off to the cocktail bars. We then went off, exploring all the little white houses and shops that ... read more

Let me begin with an explanation of the title for this travelogue. A year ago, I happened upon a television show documenting the travels of two friends exploring the world in search of new places, new people, and new memories. The show, departures, is filmed with panoramic landscapes showing the vastness of the earth, while also examining its hidden edges. Inspired by the contagious passion of these travelers to experience what the world has to offer, I delved back into the GAP Adventures brochure and, with a companion for one adventure, I found the perfect complement for another - sailing the “wine dark seas” of the Mediterranean from Athens to Mykonos. The goal - to find new places, new people, and new memories. While in Greece three years ago, I did achieve this goal, but I ... read more

June 16, 2010. Appearing in countless postcards and glossy editorials, Santorini lives up to the hype and manages to take away the breath of first-time visitors and returning travelers alike. The island provides an otherworldly spectacle, with cobalt-blue waters coming face-to-face with the caldera's black sand, and whitewashed houses contrasting with the azure sky. It's a charismatic piece of paradise on earth, epitomizing the hedonism associated with the Greek island life. An enormous volcanic explosion more than three millenia ago authored this spectacular caldera, which is believed to have been a single island perched in the Aegean among countless others that form the Cyclades group of islands. Such cataclysmic event, legend says, helped in destroying a powerful ancient civilization; but it ironically paved the way for the creation of paradise. Santorini today draws people by ... read more