EMBARKATION: ATHENS
DISEMBARKATION: ATHENS
KEA is mostly barren with patches of cultivated and wooded ground near the coast. The lyric poets Simonides and Bacchlides come from this island. The picturesque hamlet of Vourkari is most popular and has excellent restaurants. The large protected bay was once important as a coaling station for steamers. The beautiful "chora" on the hill, a huddle of glaring white houses, is well worth a visit. A large lion carved from the brick face is attributed to an Ionian sculptor from around 600 B.C.
TINOS a mountainous rugged island is wooded with extensively terraced and cultivated slopes. In 1822 the discovery of the miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary transformed the island to a place of pilgrimage for those of Orthodox faith. Tinos produces wine and the water is said to be the purest in Greece.
MYCONOS is the tourist Mecca of Greece. Myconos is bright and breezy with fine sandy beaches by day and by night the hum of the bars and throb of discos into the wee hours is all part of the scene. It is the island where locals and plain ordinary holidaymakers rub shoulders with the yacht set, the jet set, artists, and celebrities from all over the world. The houses, the churches, and the narrow winding alleys appear to be a naturally evolved form sculptured from the rocks of the island itself. The cosmopolitan flavor of Myconos may be a refreshing contrast to the simpler pleasures of other islands.
DELOS was once the political and religious center of the ancient world. Legend has it that Apollo was born here. The Delos oracle was consulted before major decisions and its fame was second only to that of Delphi. The ancient ruins on this island have been likened to Pompeii not for any architectural similarity but for the completeness of the picture of ancient life that can be gleaned from it.
PAROS is a popular tourist island and typically Cycladic Houses, shops and churches are dazzling white cubes with bougainvilleas and wisteria providing splashes of natural color. The island possesses the finest church in the Aegean, the Katapoliani, and is well worth a visit for the beautiful interior. The museum houses a slab of Parian Chronicle recording Greek history from pre-Homeric times and some sculptures in Parian marble.
IOS is claimed to be the burial place of Homer. Today the island is extremely popular with young sun-lovers. By day nudism rules and the beaches are packed with the young of all nationalities. By night the waterfront throbs to the sound of music from bars and discos. The chora above is a maze of streets full of bars and boutiques.
SANTORINI is a giant volcano. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The volcanic crater is some six miles long by four miles wide. The white domed houses of the capital extend along the cliff top above the tiny harbor and present a remarkable sight from seaward. The volcanic soil is especially fertile and produces fine grapes for wine. Santorini is unique and consequently it is one of the places in the Aegean that must be visited.
SIFNOS is a hilly island. The west coast is barren and burnt rock, but on the east side of the island where most of the population live, it is greener and cultivated in places. The medieval village of Kastro is a delightful place. Today the beaches on the southeast coast are very popular.
SERIFOS has a modest tourist trade in summer. The white houses of the chora on the hill above Livadhi bay are like icing on a bun. The view from the chora down onto the bay and over the sea and islands beyond is well worth the trip.
KITHNOS is a barren, rocky island little touched by tourism. Numerous anchorages provide crystal clear water and good white sand beaches. The hot mineral springs in Loutra have been esteemed throughout history. Near Cape Kefalos are the ruins of a medieval citadel and town.