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Greek news – Peloponnese and the Cyclades

Published: Luxury Travel Catalog Summer 2015.

Author: Diana Carter

Greek news – Peloponnese and the Cyclades

 01 The Romanos

In Greece, I was greeted by a wolf, met somewhere in the north, right on the border with Albania. Beautiful, high mountains, small population and almost unfrequented roads. We drive down to the coast, the first goal is Peloponnese. Known since ancient times peninsula is connected to the mainland on the north side of a large, quite impressive bridge. After paying 13 euros I drive to this masterpiece of architecture, one of the most well-known from history region.

Peloponnese the place of the first Olympic Games and to find a letter from linear arrays in the Palace of Nestor (XIII-XII century BC). The road runs through typical Greek villages and endless olive groves. After a 2 hour drive from Patras I arrive in the vicinity of Messini. Right here is the first purpose of my trip: Costa Navarino and its two centers – 5-star Westin and 6-star Romanos . Hotels there are already five years so that around them rise beautiful, lush gardens. They form an inseparable attribute of Costa Navarino, they have the ever-present smell of lavender and rosemary.

 The Romanos 05

Accommodation in the infinity suite. The spacious, 80-square meter apartment provides exceptional privacy, and the pool is big enough, it’s nice swim in it. The surrounding area is traditional villages, small towns and local taverns. The next day I decide to see one of the most famous and most beautiful beach in the world – Voidokilia (according to “The Times”). Title meritorious, confirms that the best beach view is from the top, where there are ruins of a castle Messini. During my stay I rate the Romanos hotel very highly, it’s definitely one of my favorite places in Greece, authentic and beautiful nature. It’s easy to get here from Athens airport or Kalamata.

The next purpose of my trip is Nafplio – it was the capital of Greece and one of the most interesting cities in the eastern part of the Peloponnese. With a short distance from the present capital city it is a favorite weekend spot for Athenians. The city is dominated by the fortress of Palamidi. Nafplio is not very popular among foreigners, worth going to enjoy the richness of colors by visiting the morning market with fish, vegetables and fragrant fruit. For the great mountain with the castle’s hidden treasure – the crystal clear water on a beautiful beach, which we can reach form the narrow coastal path. A characteristic postcard view, overlooking Nafplio is Bourtzi, a fortified castle built on an island offshore. Especially at night, illuminated, creating a romantic scene. You should stay at the Amphitrion , on the upper floor, where we will have the best view of the bay. One evening, one afternoon, buying a pair of handmade sandals and two meals in town and I’m ready to leave Nafplio.

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Another purpose of my trip turns out to be of a very important nature, but not the hotel. The town of Methana is on “the peninsula of all the peninsulas”. Somewhat isolated from a fairly developed tourist Peloponnese, it hides a fantastic mystery – it is here that the volcano erupts to the sea and we can bathe in the sulfur thrown by it into the water. The result of the mixing of seawater with volcanic debris is its coloration of the seawater: a beautiful light blue color. Baths are free, are a great attraction and have healing properties. Be that as it is a well known town in Greece sanatorium, and the average age of visitors is about 85 years. Unfortunately in Methana there is not one decent hotel, otherwise immediately it would appear on the map in Luxury Travel. Too bad, because between the coast of the Peloponnese and the tiny, most charming Agistri island is a submerged ancient settlement, which we can see while diving or even swimming and snorkelling. After a night in the hotel, whose name is not worth remembering, I set off to the port of Piraeus.

 Peloponez_i_Cyklady_Mykonos

SYROS , or SY Rakuza and gy ROS
The next destination is the island of Syros. Incredibly Italian neoclassical architecture dominates the capital of the Cyclades two churches: Catholic and Orthodox. Ermoupoli town was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the thirteenth century. At times it reminds me of Palermo, sometimes Syracuse and Venice. Beautiful local villas and houses have a direct descent to the sea. In several restored villas of former merchants are now boutique hotels. In one of them, I am pleased to stay. Apollonion Palace has only 13 rooms, each in its own unique way. The hotel has its own beach and descent to the sea. In the evening I admire so. Little Venice from the terrace. The view, trust me, is priceless.

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Syros has a lot to offer: the beautiful white and blue Old Town ermoupoli with characteristic Cycladic architecture, nice and neat streets ermoupoli with interesting boutiques, and in the evening fashionable and full of life in the port premises. Take although there for two days and get lost in the maze of streets in the evening … During the day the island boasts small, hidden beaches, hospitable taverns and numerous churches. It was on this island that I tasted my first gyros. Great and baked with fresh meat, spicy sauce – delicious! The next morning at the port I bought a ticket for fast ferry and with great regret left Siros.

Mykonos Party Time!
Mykonos greets me with 40-degree heat. Newcomers will be surprised that on the island there are no trees. It is unlikely, therefore, that you will manage to park your car in the shade. I find for this great radio station – Venus FM, which broadcasts the same music as the most famous local clubs! I immediately adjust the party climate.

mykonos_super_paradise_from_above

The first hotel to which I go, then Kivotos . It is located in Ornos bay, on a slope, and belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World . Despite its small size (only 38 rooms) is a hotel-institution, each of them in Greece heard, as here tend to be “beautiful and rich” and the star of the biggest format. The hotel owner collects quite peculiar art that adorns the interior. The best part of the hotel is its swimming pool with filtered seawater and a nice bar located in it. The hotel also features a beautiful yacht. Kivotos suite (number 165), where I live for the next two days, is spacious and well located, close to the pool, but in a quiet place. Breakfast at Kivotos is a real treat: a wide selection of meats, cold cuts, cheeses, fresh fruit and juices. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s excellent restaurant, and in the evenings enjoy a romantic dinner placed on sea platforms. There are no facilities for children and 95% of the clientele are couples and groups of friends.

 14 Kivotos

Bay Mykonos has organized a sandy beach with deck chairs and a couple of decent bars and restaurants. However, in order to experience the real nightlife, you should go to the capital of the island, located about three kilometers from the bay, which is to Mykonos Hora (Hora is always the main town on the island). And that’s where I spend another night in the hotel Theoxenia . Closer to the center now can not be! Numbering 50 rooms Theoxenia belongs to Design Hotels . Located close to the famous five windmills, in a beautiful, spacious garden design which refers to the style of the 50s and 60s. The’m a junior suite with a view of the garden and the sea. The floor is made of stone, the air conditioning worked quietly and without complaint, and the welcome I get a perfectly chilled bottle of Greek rose wine. The hotel does not have a spa, but offers professional massages in the garden.

Breakfast Theoxenii has two advantages: it is fine and served to the south. This is the correct direction to approach a partying customer! Most people come because of the endless party at Cavo Paradiso and Paradise Beach. When I was there I was going. Restaurant-bar Nammos is the equivalent of the old Voile Rouge in Saint-Tropez or popular Nikki Beach. These places have a lot in common – good music and a relaxed crowd of all ages. Binding and climate are strongly “glamor”: duty boutique, where no one is sober do not buy anything, it is obligatory for some models, a group of boys with carved six-packs, older men with young girls who are definitely not their daughters, moored vis-à- vis bar yachts dimensions of small vessels and a menu with prices vertiginous. If memory doesn’t fail me a 30-liter bottle of champagne rose by 120 thousand euros. Orders so caiprinhas for 15 euros, impose a rakish hat, which otherwise I do not think is so fashionable now, and I’m trying to melt into the crowd. The crowd is here for a few good hours for the price of a drink I get a large portion of entertainment! I see only one drag queen I’m disappointed, but where are the others? Apparently they are all at the Paradise Beach … The next day after breakfast leaving the hotel Theoxenia . I recommend it to young people looking for entertainment and people who do not like to overpay. On another night I go to one of the most expensive and trendiest hotels – Bill & amp; Coo .

Peloponez_i_Cyklady_Hotel Bill & amp; Coo, Mykonos

Belongs to Small Luxury Hotels , and this basically is: a small, luxurious and very intimate hotel. I have the impression that all guests have the latest collections of designer clothes, even the staff looks here like the catwalk models. The hotel is not on the beach, so life is focused at the pool bar, which is also a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The rooms are large and very nicely furnished. Around the luxury feel special customer care. The hotel is designed for demanding and trendy clientele with a budget of 10 thousand Euros per week. Its location allows you to be in 10 minutes wherever it falls to be, which is in the town, in Ornos Bay or on the beach of Paradise ….

On the next day I planned a visit to two hotels: Santa Marina and the Myconian Ambassador.

Santa Marina, is located in Ornos bay, according to me, the most luxurious hotel on the island. It has, among other things, its own sandy beach,on which can be found excellent restaurants, a trendy bar by the sea, facilities for children, luxury and edge design rooms and a lot of privacy. The hotel is accessible to only its guests and booking a table at a restaurant. For my last meal on Mykonos I decided to eat not just anywhere, because the hotel restaurant Myconian Ambassador Web Relais & amp; Chateaux.

Peloponez_i_Cyklady_Myconian Ambassador_02

Both the hotel and restaurant rank in among the best on the island. The hotel offers a professional spa, offering a wide range of treatments and Elemis toiletries and St. Barth. Service restaurant is well trained, as befits a Relais Chateaux and its served dishes are like poetry. Like everything simple and typically Greek, but delicately spiced, marinated respectively. So delicate octopuses or so perfectly baked eggplant with cheese, I could not have cost anywhere else in Greece. I finished this tasty twist stay on the island of sun, parties and – as convinced – great hotels.

Paros
The third and last island of the Cyclades, on which I go, the quieter and lesser known Paros. This time I buy a ticket on the fast ferry and the trip takes less than an hour. Cyclades surprise me diversity. Paros greets me with olive trees, pine trees and vineyards. It is a soothing soulful view, sunburned of Mykonos. The island produces delicious olive oil, wine, nuts and fruit.

 Dancers in the town of Naoussa, Paros

From 2015. On Paros there will be a small international airport. This is one of the largest Cycladic islands, dotted with beautiful beaches and blessed with perfect weather to practice all types of water sports. Santa Maria Beach is the center of surfers and divers established professional base. The most beautiful town on the island is Naoussa . The maze of streets and white houses, traditional boats with tangled nets of fishermen, the ubiquitous bars with countless chairs and thirsty immortal newcomers exuding the café frappe or local white wine. At night the port turns into a very romantic place, lit only with candles and small lights. More romantically It could not be! Among the tourist mosaic boutiques, gyros bars, retailers sponges and shells difficult to find a culinary oasis. Yemeni recommends the restaurant which offers authentic Greek dishes “from the old days.” Locals say it tastes like at Grandma’s there.

The island has a few decent hotels, the best according to me it’s Archipelagos Resort . Superbly located near the town of Naoussa, crystal-clear sea, palm trees planted are nice. Just in time for a quiet holiday with a book or with small children. The beach is sandy, kids and parents will appreciate the gentle descent to the sea and the fact that water is a foot up to 50 meters from the shore. It is to tour by car or Scooters for the whole of Paros and stay at a mini-resort of Pisso Livadi on fresh seafood. This small town’s specialty dishes are octopus and tuna steaks. The perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon, filtration café frappe and observations of life in the tiny harbor. I actively suggest a full-day cruise along the coast of Paros and the neighboring Antyparos while catching fish and grill on less frequented beaches. Hundreds of beautiful pictures and memories for several years guaranteed!

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Luxury Travel recommends you connect Greece stays in the 2-3 places such as Athens and Peloponnese Mykonos and Paros, or Crete Santorini … Call and speak with our consultant. We guarantee prices lower than directly at the hotel or on popular booking.

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