Let us be honest, who among us hasn’t dreamed of a vacation in Greece; the history, the culture, the art and images we’ve all seen? They all draw us to this Eastern European culture and its beautiful setting, the crystal blue waters and idyllic ancient seaside villages of the Cycladic destinations in the Aegean Sea definitely call us to their shores. Below we highlight just a few of these island jewels for your consideration.
Santorini
Santorini is a top destination that draws many visitors. And it is understandable why; the scenery is a bit of heaven on earth, endless blue waters, ancient but active villages. The images, and the reality, are captivating. Santorini is the perfect blend for some one-on-one time with that special someone and also as a destination to engage in a bit of nightlife as well.
The rugged black sand of the ancient volcanic beaches on Santorini are a unique contrast to the blue sea and white houses of Fira, a village on the western side of the island from which to appreciate spectacular sunsets. As for dining in Fira, guests will also have a plethora of 4 and 5 star restaurants to enjoy!
Mykonos
Rivaling Santorini, Mykonos is another very popular Greek island destination. Like Santorini, the beauty of the island is breath-taking with picturesque homes and villas and narrow streets featuring Cycladic architecture with a breathtaking back-drop of crystal-clear blue sea waters.
For those looking to party, Mykonos is the spot. The island is rich with cool, trendy bars with captivating views of the Aegean Sea. Cavo Paradiso club and restaurant is in Paradise Beach and is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, its huge dance-floor is filled with party-goers until the wee hours of the morning. Another popular spot is the club and restaurant Astra. Early on, Astra is a lovely spot to chill with friends and a delightful cocktail but as the evening wears on, it transitions to a nightclub with lots of well-traveled beautiful people.
Icaria
Looking to get away from crowds and off the beaten path in Greece? Icaria may be your choice. Named after the Greek mythological God Icarus, the island’s main attraction may actually be its inaccessibility, it is very mountainous. Yet like all Greek islands, Icaria - also spelt Ikaria - offers spectacular views of the Aegean Sea.
If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, Icaria is also known for its rejuvenating thermal springs and spas. There are several to choose from. The Cave Spa is one operated by the city, known to heal and relieve a variety of ailments, including gout, lower back pain, and fatigue. Feel the healing powers!
Milos
The classic statue of the wondrous “Venus de Milo” was discovered on Milos. After your arrival on Milos, you will understand the reason for the inspiration of its famous classical sculpture This volcanic island is the quintessential island paradise that land-locked people dream about. The island features an amazing 70 plus beaches that are all beautiful and magnificent, a visual overload! Friends back home will view your images and think they are photoshopped. And quite unexpectedly, the beaches are often somewhat deserted during the prime summer months! In addition to the marvelous beaches, Milos has delectably seen its gourmet restaurant scene flourish in the last few years.
These are just a few of the magnificent islands to explore in Greece. Visitors actually have an amazing 5,000 plus more islands and islets to choose to explore and enjoy in Greece. No wonder Greece is a top choice as a destination for vacation and as an introduction to ancient culture. Word of caution… you may want stay longer than expected on any of these glorious islands, pack your bags accordingly!
Santorini - Blue Splendor!
[author name="Carlyne Rachele" bio="Caribbean Travel Writer and frequent EyeDope Blogger" image="cr1.jpg" ]
