Category: Cyclades islands (Page 7 of 66)

Colourful Kini Bay on Syros island

February 20, 2019 / admin / 3 Comments

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Evening view of the Kini Bay area, from a hill behind Lotos beach

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Houses and holiday accommodations on the hills behind Kini Beach

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Fishing boats moored in the small harbour at Kini Bay

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Overlooking Kini beach, bay and harbour

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A quiet morning at Kini Beach

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Waves reflect the golden hues of sunset above Kini Bay

Photo tour: It seems I have stoked some interest in Syros.

After I posted that Travel + Leisure magazine had profiled Syros island in its February 2019 issue, a number of readers have been in touch to say they are now thinking about going there for part of their island hopping holidays this summer.

And since I had mentioned that Syros is one of our favourite islands, some asked if I could recommend a specific beach resort area for them to consider.

So far we have stayed twice at just one beach location — Kini Bay — and loved it, but we have been to a few other beach areas that are popular with tourists, including Galissas, Finikas and Poseidonia. We would probably choose to stay at one of those places on our next trip to Syros, simply for a change of scenery and the chance to to experience a different part of the island.

But I wouldn’t describe Kini or any of the others as “resorts” per se; rather, they are fairly small villages situated on or near sandy beaches and scenic coastlines, each offering a respectable selection of accommodations and restaurants. You won’t find strips of shops or nightclubs at any of these locations, but there are mini markets and grocery stores where visitors staying in studio apartments or villas can purchase food and sundry items they might need.

What we particularly enjoy about Kini Bay is its beautiful setting on a picturesque bay, where holidaymakers can relax on two sandy beaches — Kini and Lotos — or at nearby Delfini, which is reasonable walking distance from the village. Galissas beach can be reached either by car or on foot (a hiking path that winds up and down hills high above the rugged coast), while boat trips to two isolated beaches north of Kini are offered in season.

I’ll tell you more about the area in a separate post I’m currently working on, but in the meantime I have gathered dozens of our pictures to show you why we have been so keen on Kini.

Please click on the link below to take a photo tour of colourful sights and scenes at Kini Bay.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Travel + Leisure magazine serves up a taste of Syros island

February 1, 2019 / admin / 3 Comments

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Travel + Leisure magazine spotlights the architecture, culture and cuisine of Syros in its February 2019 issue

Appetizing island: “Island Escapes” is the theme for the February 2019 issue of Travel + Leisure, and Syros steals the spotlight as the only Greek isle on the menu of getaway destinations profiled in the magazine.

In a three-page article entitled “Beyond the Beach,” the prolific author / journalist / travel scribe Eleni N. Gage describes her family’s first-ever visit to Syros, an island that doesn’t register on the radar for most North American travellers, who tend to gravitate to the tourist hotspots of Mykonos and Santorini. (The majority of visitors to Syros hail from France and Skandinavia, Eleni writes, and they’re drawn by the island’s vibrant arts and culture events, its elegant Neoclassical architecture and its “incredible cuisine,” rather than the whitewashed villages and scenic beaches that lure the huge tourist crowds to other Cycladic isles.)

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Ermoupolis, the colourful capital and port town of Syros. “The fact that the island has a thriving city by the sea makes it alluring to those interested in life beyond the beach,” Eleni notes in her article.

Since Syros is one of our personal favourite places in Greece, I couldn’t resist buying the magazine when I saw the island mentioned on the front cover. I was curious to read what kind of impression Syros had made upon Eleni, whose feature articles about a number of destinations in Greece have appeared in top international travel and lifestyle publications.

Not surprisingly, she fell in love with Syros, too.

Island features and highlights described in her article include:

♦ a rich roster of annual arts events and festivals;

♦ stately “aristocratic buildings,” including the magnificent Town Hall and Apollon Theater, in the visually stunning port town of Ermoupoulis;

♦ the seafront of the Vaporia neighbourhood of Ermoupolis, where Eleni had wonderful views of the palazzo-lined shore while she swam in the sea;

♦ the hilltop village of Ano Syros, which was established during the 1200s; and

♦ restaurants where Eleni and her family dined (they had a memorable meal at one place we thought was excellent, too: Peri | Tinos, on the Ermoupolis waterfront).

While we’re familiar with most of the places Eleni described, I was glad she did mention a few we haven’t seen — they’re now on a list of things to do next time we travel to Syros.

My only disappointment was that the article wasn’t longer — I really wanted to read more about Syros. Nevertheless, it did made me yearn to go back.

Please click on the link below to turn to page 2, where I have posted some of our photos that show a few of the places mentioned in Eleni’s article.

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Mykonos parties, live music events & DJ shows during 2019

January 5, 2019 / admin / 46 Comments

Mykonos is the prominent supporting star in the new music video Χωρις Εσενα, released July 23 by Greek singer Giorgos Tsalikis. During the summer, Giorgos and his band performed live at 4711 club for 65 nights.

Looking for a list of party events in 2020? Check out my article Mykonos party and event calendar 2020.

Events during December

Live music events at The Dublin Mykonos on November 29 and 30 and December 1

The Dublin presents live music entertainment by Dimitris Drosinis on the evenings of November 29 and 30, and on the afternoon of Sunday December 1

Announcement for the Sunday Party at El Burro Mykonos on December 1

Apostolis G. will DJ the Sunday Party at El Burro on December 1

Promotional ad for the Wednesday night Karaoke Party at Rustic Grill Mykonos

Rustic Grill hosts its weekly Karaoke Party on Wednesday December 4 starting at 9 p.m.

Vegera Mykonos promotional ad for its parties with DJ Jerry on December 6 and 7

Vegera gets into the Christmas spirit with parties on Friday December 6 and Saturday December 7. The parties start at 10 p.m. and DJ Jerry will be playing the music.

Promotional ad for the Stand Up Comedy Night at Central Mykonos on December 7

Central hosts a live Stand Up Comedy show on Saturday December 7, featuring comedians Giannis Roussos, Alexandros Paspardanis and Konstantinos Bouras Bai’makos. Entry fee is €15 per person, and includes a drink.

Promotional ad for the Sunday Party at El Burro Mykonos on December 8

DJ Jerry will be on the decks for the Sunday Party at El Burro on December 8

Promotional image for the Tuesday Quiz Night events at Notorious Bar Mykonos

Notorious holds its Quiz Night on Tuesday December 10

Promotional ad for the Wednesday night Karaoke Party at Rustic Grill Mykonos

The weekly Karaoke Party takes place at Rustic Grill on Wednesday December 11

Taverna Kandavlos presents live music on Friday evening December 13, and on the afternoon of Sunday December 15

Promotional image for a Latin Christmas party at Rustic Grill Mykonos on December 13

Rustic Grill hosts a Latin Christmas Party on Friday December 13

Wild Cafe Bar Mykonos presents Giannis Barbaris on December 14

Wild Cafe Bar presents a live performance by Γιάννης Μπαρμπαρής (Giannis Barbaris) on Saturday December 14

Promotional announcement for the December 14 Closing Party at Vegera Mykonos

Vegera is throwing its final party of 2019 on December 14

Promotional ad for Sunday DJ parties at Rustic Grill Mykonos

Every Sunday, DJ Nassia T. will play for the “artistic folk evenings” at Rustic Grill

Promotional ad for the V Bros rock music show at Central Mykonos on December 14

The V Bros perform at Central on Saturday December 14

Promotional image for the December 15 Sunday Party at El Burro Mykonos

DJ Apostolis G. will play for the December 15 Sunday Party at El Burro

Mokka Brunch Mykonos presents Tilemachos Zeis on Friday December 20

Singer Τηλέμαχος Ζέης (Tilemachos Zeis) performs at Mokka Brunch on Friday December 20

Promotional image for the DJ party at Rustic Grill Mykonos on December 20

DJ Nassia T plays for the party at Rustic Grill on Friday December 20

Taverna Kandavlos Mykonos live music events on December 20 and 22

Taverna Kandavlos once again presents live music twice in one weekend — on Friday December 20 at 9 p.m., and on Sunday December 22 at 3 p.m.

Rustic Grill Mykonos presents DJ Stathis on Saturday December 21

Rustic Grill presents DJ Stathis on Saturday December 21

Promotional ad for the Xmas Music Nights at El Burro Mykonos

El Burro launches its Xmas Music Nights on Saturday December 21

Central Mykonos presents Petros Veronis on December 12

Petros Veronis, Daniel Kousathanas and Marianna Sanguita A Roe will perform live at Central on Saturday December 21

Promotional image for El Burro Mykonos Christmas Parties December 24 and 25

DJ Jerry plays for the Xmas Parties at El Burro on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Promotional announcement for the Raya Mykonos Christmas Party on December 29

Festive season celebrations continue at Raya on Sunday December 29 when it hosts a Christmas Party with music by DJ Giannis Oikonomou

New Years party at Toro Loco My Bar Mykonos

Toro Loco will celebrate the arrival of 2020 with a New Year’s party on December 31

El Burro Mykonos New Years Eve Party announcement

El Burrow welcomes the arrival of 2020 with a New Year’s party on Tuesday December 31.

~ See a listing of past events on page 2 ~

What’s happening: Mykonos is in end-of-season mode, with bars, clubs and restaurants either closing up shop or preparing to wind down operations.

As usual, the last weekend of September is closing party time for numerous establishments, including Scorpios, Moni, The Garden, JackieO’ Beach, and Elysium Hotel’s popular Sunset Cabaret.

Parties are continuing at many bars in Mykonos Town, however, and beach parties are still going strong at Paradise beach, where Tropicana will be open until October 20.Page 2 of this post contains promotional flyers showing daily beach parties, regular weekly events and special event series.

Page 3 lists events that have taken place since March, in case you’re interested in seeing what has already happened.

I update this post whenever new announcements are released, often several times per day, so check back regularly to see what’s new.

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Greece guides featured in June travel mags from UK & USA

June 25, 2018 / admin / 2 Comments

Sunday Times Travel magazine

A scenic view from Santorini appears on the cover of the June Sunday Times Travel Magazine, which includes a 24-page “Total Guide” to Greece

Travel tips: Spring is the time when international lifestyle magazines and travel publications typically turn their attention to Greece, and that has been the case again this year.

When I browsed newsstands while we were in Greece from late May until mid-June, and here at home after returning from our holidays, I noticed numerous magazines that featured cover stories or major articles focussed on travel to Greece.

The two periodicals that appeared the most interesting and informative were the June edition of The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, which I purchased at Athens International Airport prior to our return flight, and the June/July issue of National Geographic Traveler, which I bought at my favourite local bookstore a few days ago.

A photo from Santorini island appears on the eye-catching turquoise and white cover of the Sunday Times magazine, where the main cover line proclaims: “We’ve found the tiny, timeless idylls you’re dreaming of” — all revealed in a 24-page Total Guide inside.

The guide includes:

♦ tips on island hopping by ferry in the Cyclades, Dodecanese and Argo-Saronic archipelagos;

♦ short profiles of “heavenly” 5-star hotels on Naxos, Crete, Santorini, Sifnos, and Mykonos islands, as well as in Halikidi, the Peloponnese and the Athens Riviera;

♦ an article about the Arcadia region of the eastern Peloponnese;

♦ highlights of three places, away from the “holiday hotspots,” where visitors can “find solitude in a Greece untouched by time: lost in nature, rich in ancient, spiritual sites”;

♦ advice for low-cost weekend getaways to Athens, Thessaloniki and Kefalonia; and

♦ recommendations for exclusive rental villas and luxurious all-inclusive resorts.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine

In the feature article “New Greek Odyssey,” Christopher Vourlias relates what he learned about “home, heroes and Hellenic heritage” during a trip to his father’s ancestral village in Central Greece.

The theme of the National Geographic Traveler issue is “Trips to Change Your Life,” and includes two features on Greece:

♦ the intriguing article “New Greek Odyssey,” in which writer Christopher Vourlias describes the personally insightful trip he took with his father to the latter’s home village in Agrafa, a mountain region of Central Greece; and

♦ An “insider’s guide to the best of Greece” — short profiles of specific recommended places to visit for food & drink, history & artifacts, islands & beaches, and culture & people.

And as you would expect, the articles in both magazines are illustrated with tantalizing photos of Greek destinations, monuments, and scenery that will make you feel wistful for a trip to Greece — even if, as was the case with me, you may have just had a holiday there.

Savoring the Cycladic scenery: enticing views of Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Sifnos & Folegandros

May 26, 2018 / admin / 0 Comments

Filmmaker/photographer Raphael Pöham created this captivating short video of enchanting scenery on five islands in the Cyclades

Mesmerizing moments: Filmmaker Raphael Pöham took a trip to Greece last year, and produced this stunning video souvenir of scenic holiday highlights from the five Cyclades islands he visited — Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Sifnos and Folegandros.

The film’s views of beautiful beach, landscape and sunset scenery brilliantly illustrate why the Cyclades island chain is so immensely alluring to travellers from around the world.

The film runs for three minutes, and I enjoyed it so much I wish it had been longer — I really wanted to see more! It also made me feel eager to plan a return trip to the Cyclades. We have already been to each of the islands that Raphael spotlighted, and recognized most of the scenes in his film, but the video makes me yearn to visit those places again.

Give Raphael’s video a look and see if it puts you in a similarly dreamy Cyclades state of mind, too!

Mykonos parties and special events in August, September and autumn 2018

May 23, 2018 / admin / 31 Comments

Scorpios wraps up its 2018 season with a weekend of closing events, including its final Unplugged event on Friday September 28, the last World program on Saturday the 29th, and the club’s season closing Sunday Ritual on September 30

Cavo Paradiso Mykonos

Cavo Paradiso ends its 25th anniversary season with a Full Moon closing party on Tuesday September 25, with music by DJs Argie, Anxid and Heavy G

Tropicana Mykonos

Beach parties take place daily at Tropicana until the club’s big season closing party on Sunday October 21

Skandinavian Bar Mykonos

Each year you can tell that the Mykonos party season is almost over when Skandinavian Bar holds its closing party. This year it’s on Tuesday October 9.

~ updated on Saturday December 1 2018 ~

Below is a listing of promotional flyers for parties scheduled to take place on Mykonos during August and September 2018.

Events will be added to this page when they are announced, so check back for updates.

Bear in mind that many parties may not be announced until only a day or two before they take place. Some parties are advertised only locally on Mykonos, so when you are on the island, keep on the lookout for posters and club promotional staff who visit popular beaches and Mykonos Town to provide information about special events.

For more information about specific events, pricing and admission policies, or to make table reservations or to purchase advance tickets, contact the bars and clubs directly.

To see party listings for September 2018, click here.

To see events taking place in October and November 2018, click here.

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Cavo Paradiso Mykonos

This is the international DJ lineup for Cavo Paradiso in August

Kivotos Hotel Mykonos

Every day throughout August, Kivotos Hotel at Ornos presents Poolside Rituals, during which DJ / Producer Constantin Nasiri “takes you to an a eclectic ethnic/bohemian musical journey.” The ritual starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m.

Alemagou Mykonos

Alemagou will be hosting more than 10 events during August 2018. The featured artists and their appearance dates are indicated on the promotional poster shown above.

XLSIOR Festival Mykonos

XLSIOR Festival, the biggest annual party event on Mykonos, takes place this year from August 22 to 29 at beach clubs and various venues in Mykonos Town. A roster of top international DJs will appear for 11 major events.

SantAnna Mykonos

SantAnna will throw its F*** Me I’m Famous! pool party every Saturday evening in August

VOID club Mykonos

Void has special DJ acts and events every night of August, with some artists & parties still to be announced for the month

CLICK HERE to see a list of events that take place on either a daily or regularly weekly schedule until the end of August.

SEE PAGE 2 FOR MORE AUGUST EVENTS

SEE PAGE 3 FOR SEPTEMBER PARTIES AND SEASON CLOSING EVENTS

SEE PAGE 4 FOR OCTOBER PARTIES AND SEASON CLOSING EVENTS

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Mykonos parties, special events & DJ lineups in July 2018

May 23, 2018 / admin / 19 Comments

Looking for party listings for 2019? Click here!

Kalua Mykonos

Singer Shaya Hansen, saxophonist Tiago Astori and DJ Mr Mike entertain daily at Kalua, along with DJs Nick Aggelidis and Freespirit

Kalua Mykonos

Junior Pappa, My Excuse, Rodge, Mahmut Orhan and Tanja LaCroix are among the special guest acts who will be appearing at Kalua in July.

Alemagou Mykonos

Alemagou will be holding 9 special events during July 2018. Artists and their appearance dates are shown on the promotional poster above.

SantAnna Mykonos

The F*** Me I’m Famous! pool parties — the French Cathy and David Guetta brand of “sexy and provocative parties with luxurious production in world class venues with a fantastically glamorous crowd” — are coming to SantAnna every Saturday evening during July.

VOID club Mykonos

Void has special DJ entertainment each night during July, with some artists still to be announced for the club’s event lineup this month

Cavo Paradiso Mykonos

This is the international DJ schedule for July at Cavo Paradiso

Branco Mykonos Whispers events

Whispers is a new “seaside sunset concept” event being held every Saturday at Branco throughout July

Belvedere Mykonos Hotel

Starting Wednesday July 4, Belvedere Hotel will pay homage “to vinyl records inspired by the sounds of Mykonos and the nostalgic era” with a poolside sunset party every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening until August 25. The Poolside Nights will feature “a curated selection of rare soul, funk, jazz, and R&B rooted disco” played by DJs Lou Hayter, Fiona Jane and Izy.

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~ updated on Tuesday July 31 2018 ~

Below is a listing of promotional flyers for parties scheduled to take place on Mykonos during July 2018.

Events will be added to this page when they are announced, so check back for updates. Be sure to refresh your browser so you will see newly-added updates; often events are added to this page several times per day.

For more information about specific events, pricing and admission policies, or to make table reservations or to purchase advance tickets, contact the bars and clubs directly.

To see a list of regularly scheduled events that take place either every day or once weekly, click here.

To see a listing of Mykonos parties and events for May and June 2018, click here.

For a list of events taking place in August and September 2018, click here.

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Moni Mykonos

Mimi, B2B and FY will appear at Moni on Sunday July 1

Cavo Paradiso Mykonos

Benny Benassi plays Cavo Paradiso on Sunday July 1, with support by Rivaz

Scorpios Mykonos

The program for The Sunday July 1 sunset program at Scorpios features music by Kaz James, Nic Fanciulli, Jean Claude Ades and Sneaky Sound System

SEE PAGE 2 FOR EVENTS TAKING PLACE FROM JULY 2 TO 7

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Lonely Planet profiles NE Aegean plus 4 ‘secret,’ timeless islands

May 17, 2018 / admin / 0 Comments

Lonely Planet magazine

Greece gets front-cover prominence on the cover of the Lonely Planet newsstand issue for May 2018

The secret’s out: I had a strong hunch I might find something interesting to read about Greece when I walked into the magazine department at my local bookstore yesterday. When I turned into the travel section, my premonition instantly proved accurate — standing at eye level on the front shelf was the latest edition of Lonely Planet, its cover graced with a photo of a blue-roofed Greek Orthodox church illustrating its “Secret Greece” feature story.

In another pleasant delight, I realized I had seen that very same church in person — on Astypalea, during our island hopping holiday in 2009.

Astypalea is one of seven islands featured in Lonely Planet’s May issue and, in another curious coincidence, the article about it recommends staying in the very accommodations where we spent several nights: Fildisi Boutique Hotel.

The magazine highlights two other islands we have been to — Hydra and Sifnos — and, in yet another surprising stroke of serendipity, spotlights four more that I had been seriously considering for our upcoming vacation: Lesvos, Chios, Ikaria and Kythera. (We have already made plans to spend our time in and within sight of the Peloponnese, but Lonely Planet suddenly has me wondering if I may have made a mistake.)

The main focus of the magazine’s Great Escape cover feature is the Northeast Aegean group of Greek islands; specifically, Lesvos, Chios and Ikaria. Stepping ashore on these particular isles “introduces olive farmers and wild honey, hidden villages and untouched beaches, and perhaps the secret to long life,” the feature story introduction says.

Reading the Lesvos profile quickly made me crave Greek cuisine, though I should have expected that given the article’s headline: “Savour the many flavours of Greece on Lesvos, from olive oil to ouzo and orange wine.”

The second feature story invites readers to “discover a centuries-old tradition of mastic cultivation and the fortress-like villages that grew rich from it” in southern Chios.

The third main article introduces Ikaria, one of the world’s unique Blue Zone locations where residents “enjoy longer lives than anyone else in Europe.”

One-page mini profiles for Astypalea, Kythera, Sifnos and Hydra appear in the magazine’s “Secret Greece” feature as examples that, “even in the well-known Greek island groups,” visitors can find “the odd place that’s little changed over the decades.” Each profile includes short thumbnail descriptions for “Why am I going?”, “Where should I stay?”, “What am I eating?”, and “What am I drinking?”

The island articles are all good reads, and just might entice you to consider the Northeast Aegean for a future trip to Greece, especially if you haven’t considered that region of the country before. (They probably will make you feel peckish for Greek food and beverages, too.)

See if you can find a copy of the magazine at your local newsstand before it sells out.