Athens – Mykonos – Paros – Ios – Santorini – Milos

Kea or Tzia is a beautiful Cyclades island and one of the most popular destinations because of its proximity to the eastern coast of Attica (Athens peninsula). The island is endowed with ever-changing scenery: steep mountains, small fields, olive groves, vineyards, ravines, picturesque coves and secluded beaches. It was inhabited for the first time in the Late Neolithic era (3300 – 3200 BC) and experienced a period of cultural development during the Bronze Age. During the Archaic period (7th-6th c. B.C.) four city-states were founded (Ioulida, Karthaia, Korissia, Poiiessa) which communicated via an intricate network of pathways. During the byzantine period, the largest residential growth took place in the area around Ioulida. Kea was occupied by the Ottoman Turks from 1566 until 1821. It experienced great rosperity in the following period as a result of the opening of mines and factories and the creation of a busy trading port on the island. Nowadays, there are growing residential neighbourhoods and rising numbers of tourists on the island.

One of the most famous tourist destinations worldwide! Mykonos is the best known Greek island worldwide and a favourite destination among celebrities from all over the planet. It is one of the most beautiful Cyclades islands, with bare hills, stunning sandy beaches, a very well preserved Cycladic architectural style, little white churches and scenery of unique beauty. In recent decades many villas and hotels have been built in harmony with the island’s physiognomy and architecture. Mykonos is located approximately in the centre of the Cyclades group of islands, between Tinos and Naxos. It is the island nearest to Delos with an area of 87 sq. km a coastline of 82 km. There is an airport connecting the island with Athens, Thessaloniki and other Greek cities.

This is one of the most beautiful towns in Cyclades, one that has maintained its beautiful, unaffected and austere Aegean style intact. Narrow cobblestone-laid streets, small freshly white washed houses with blue windows and small wooden balconies, pots filled with multi coloured and fragrant flowers, churches, museums and streets lined with shops with a bustling trade create a remarkable picture. In the summertime the narrow streets are full of people walking about and visiting the luxurious shops and boutiques or having fun in the famous clubs and restaurants. The harbour is equally picturesque and among the multicoloured fishing boats you get a glimpse of Petros, the famous pelican and the mascot of the island.

Paros is located in the centre of the Cyclades islands, and is considered one of the most popular holiday destinations with unrivalled natural beauty, vast sandy beaches, crystalline seawaters and stunning scenery. This place is a cosmopolitan holiday destination with a well-developed tourism infrastructure. Historically the island of Paros served as an administrative and commercial centre of the Aegean and often became the apple of discord for many conquerors (Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks), who all left their mark on the island. The ruins in the archaeological sites and the important historical monuments all over the island are testimony to the island’s great prosperity in the past. Paros was renowned in ancient times for its marble and provided the material for creating many famous monuments. This island has been the place of origin of famous ancient Greek sculptors, painters and poets. In 1207 Paros became a part of the Duchy of the Aegean and in 1537 it was conquered by the Turks.

Ios or Nios, as the locals call it, is one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades group, known worldwide and preferred by young people for its nightlife. It is surrounded by Santorini, Paros and Naxos and boasts numerous bays and long sandy beaches. 32 km, out of the 81.5 km of coastline, are sandy beaches!

According to ancient tradition, Ios was the homeland of Homer’s mother, but also the burial place of the great epic poet. An Early Cycladic Period settlement was discovered in Skarkos as well as buildings regarded as dating to historical times. Palaiokastro was built during the Byzantine Period at the northeastern side of the island. Ios was under Venetian domination until 1537, when the Turks occupied the island.

Santorini is one of the best known Greek islands the world over. It is in itself a unique geological phenomenon, as today’s island is what has remained of the initial island, Strongyli (meaning Round), which sunk to the bottom of the sea following an eruption of its volcano during the 16th century B.C. This has been one of the most powerful eruptions in the history of Earth: three quarters of the island were submerged, shaping today’s Caldera. Furthermore, the major aftermath of that eruption was the destruction of the Minoan Palaces in Crete. Santorini’s area is 73 sq. km, its coastal length is 69.5 km and there are 13,670 residents.

Santorini is the southernmost island in the Cyclades group. The island of Santorini is actually a group of islands comprised of Thira, Thirasia, Aspronisi, Palaia Kameni and Nea Kameni (Kameni meaning burned). The island’s architectural heritage is preserved remarkably well in Fira and Oia as well as in other inland villages. An important prehistoric civilisation thrived on the island, mainly during the Middle Cycladic Period, and was destroyed by the volcanic eruption. In time, the island was repopulated and it flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman times. Later on the Venetians took the island over and remained there for centuries. Over the last decades, Santorini has known a massive tourism growth. Still, the island has remained as appealing as ever, with secrets and places of unspoiled natural beauty yet to be explored, not to mention the lovely sunset for which Santorini has been renowned across the planet. Local wine is famous and the island’s vineyards have been producing it since antiquity. The grape varieties grown here are Asyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mandilaria (red) and Mavrotragano (red). The quality of Vinsanto wine is exceptional and it is produced by mixing two varieties: Asyrtiko and Aidani.

Milos is located at the southwestern edge of Cyclades and is the group’s fifth largest island. The strange shapes of its rocks, the beautiful colours, the ensnaring white sandy beaches and sculpted rocks are due to the island’s volcanic terrain. Milos is rich in mineral resources. The extraction of obsidian (a jet black volcanic glass rock) contributed to the island’s booming economy in ancient times. This is the location of one of the oldest mines in the Mediterranean.

Milos Island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. During the Persian Wars, the locals fought against the Persians in the naval battle of Salamina and they kept a neutral position later during the Peloponnesian War. Trade thrived in Roman times. In the Byzantine period, the island suffered frequent pirate raids, with locals taking refuge mainly in the south side, in caves and coves. The island was later ruled by the Venetians and after that by the Turks. In the 20th century, Milos has become a major mining area, as extraction of perlite, kaolin and bentonite continues to the present day.

Serifos is a typical Cyclades island, ideal for relaxed vacations, featuring tranquil little harbours, now-white villages and golden sandy beaches, as well as steep masses of rock, hills with no vegetation and extraordinary scenery. It is situated between Kythnos and Sifnos, and its traditional island features have remained unaltered thanks to a moderate tourism growth. According to mythology, Perseus arrived on the coast of Serifos with his mother, Danae, locked up in a chest.

To punish Polydefkis, king of Serifos, he killed Medusa the Gorgon and showed him the severed head; that resulted in Polydefkis turning into stone. In the land of Serifos there are valuable mineral resources which brought great prosperity to the island especially after the 6th c. BC. During the Medic Wars the islanders battled against the Persians and joined the Delian League. Later, the island was conquered by the Macedonians, then by the Ptolemies and finally by the Romans. After the conquest of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204, Serifos was ceded to Venetian nobles. In 1537, it was captured by the Turkish admiral Barbarossa, and from 1770 until 1774 it was occupied by the Russians. After 1821 it was liberated along with the rest of the Cyclades.