Koufonisia is a group of islands in the heart of Cyclades and the Aegean Sea. The group is divided into two islands: the Upper and the Lower one, with each one offering a different side to your vacation experience. Only the Upper part (Ano Koufonisi) is inhabited and this is where you will find hotels, restaurants, bars and sights, while the Lower part (Kato Koufonisi) is uninhabited, but admittedly the most naturally beautiful of the two. It can only be reach by boat from Ano Koufonisi.
Kythnos is a small and quiet island in Western Cyclades, but one with a rich history. The island has two significant settlements, the capital called Messaria and the village of Dryopis. Both villages are notable for their winding and often stepped streets, too narrow for vehicular traffic. They are very picturesque but in different architectural styles. Messaria has the more-typical flat roofs of the Cyclades, while Dryopida's rooftops are slanted and tiled.
Just a few miles southwest of Samos, lies Ikaria, an alternative vacation spot that mainly attracts locals. Its name is derived by Icarus, who according to legend, fell on the sea nearby after his famous flight. The island’s history however extends even further, back to around 7000BC when it was populated by the Pelasgians. After being colonized by Greeks, Ikaria became part of the sea empire of Polycrates and remained predominantly under Greek rule until the early 16th century.
John Donne once wrote 'No man is an island'. Although the English poet's profound writings are always a source for deep contemplation, in a lot of ways, islands are like men. Like all living organisms they are composed of different parts, they evolve and form their own identity. Some follow the path of modernity while others stubbornly refuse to change. Then there are a select few, so comfortable with what they are, that carve their own path utterly unencumbered by the need to please everyone. This is a story about such an island.
Milos is the southernmost island of West Cyclades. Due to its volcanic background, Milos has a special geology and unique beaches. The strong volcanic eruption that happened in Milos millions of years ago formatted its present landscape with reddish cliffs, soft sandy beaches and underwater sea caves. Sarakiniko, Firiplaka, Paleochori and Tsigrado are the most special beaches in Milos, while very characteristic are the fishing villages, such as Klima and Firopotamos.
Syros is a Greek island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. The largest towns are Ermoupoli, Ano Syros, and Vari. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island and of the Cyclades complex. It has always been a significant port town, and during the 19th century it was even more significant than Piraeus. Other noteworthy villages are Galissas, Foinikas, Pagos, Manna, Kini and Poseidonia.
Andros is the northernmost island of the Greek Cyclades archipelago and a preferred destination among locals due to its proximity to the mainland. The island is famous for its Sariza spring at Apoikia, where the water flows from a sculpted stone lion's head. Palaeopolis, the ancient capital, was built into a steep hillside, and the breakwater of its harbor can still be seen underwater. Andros also offers great hiking options due to its mountainous regions. Numerous beautiful beaches surround the island, with the most prominent being Vitali, Agios Petros, Achla and Ateni.
The island of Delos is located near Mykonos, at the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, and is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The excavations in the island are among the most extensive in the Mediterranean; ongoing work takes place under the direction of the French School at Athens, and many of the artifacts found are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Delos and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Tinos is a Greek island situated in the Aegean Sea and more specifically near the geographical center of the Cyclades archipelago. It is famous among Greeks for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, its 80 or so windmills, about 1000 artistic dovecotes, 50 active villages and its Venetian fortifications at the mountain, Exomvourgo. On Tinos, both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic populations co-exist, and the island is also well known for its famous sculptors and painters, such as Nikolaos Gysis, Nikiforos Lytras and Yannoulis Chalepas.
Sifnos is a small and quiet island in Cyclades, but one with a rich history. It is estimated that people inhabited the island since at least 4000 BCE. The main town of Apollonia, named after God Apollo, is the island's capital and home to most of the restaurants and bars. Hiking trails to various points of interest start just outside the town and lead to monasteries, small chapels, old towers and secluded beaches.