Although Greece has been dealing with a lot of negative press recently, it’s still one of my favourite vacation destinations, with Mykonos Island taking the cake. Just thinking about it makes me wish I was sipping coffee and nibbling baklava while gazing over the Mediterranean from my perch amongst the cluster of whitewash houses that claim the seaside. I miss being surrounded by a people so passionate and proud of their culture and traditions and oh how I miss the food. Greek food is known for its quality and outstanding flavours, my favourite is Pastitsio, which is very similar to lasagna. Sorry Italia but I think the Greeks got you here, this is the ultimate comfort food: pasta topped with a Greek-style Bolognese then smothered in a creamy béchamel sauce. But with all that mouthwatering deliciousness aside, there’s more to do in Greece than eat.
Once you’ve been greeted by the rows of 16th century windmills that can be seen from all over Mykonos Island you should definitely make a visit to “Little Venice”. The town of Little Venice is one of the most romantic and picturesque spots on the Island and has attracted numerous painters. The old 18th century houses sit right on the coastline with balconies that hang over the sea. Though it’s a bit windy, there is nothing compared to watching the sunset over the sea from one of these terraces. Take a walk on the narrow winding streets that were once designed to confuse pirates and visit some of the many art galleries that are scattered throughout the village.
Just like the rest of Greece, there are many architectural landmarks to be found on the Island of Mykonos. One of the most popular is the Ftelia Archeological Site that dates back to the 5th century BC and is worth visiting to see the tools and objects have been found along with the ruins. The Armenistis Lighthouse is a testimony to Mykonos’ rich maritime past and is still in operation today, offering breathtaking views of neighbouring Islands Tinos, Syros, Naxos and Delos. Take a visit to Delos, available by ferry from Mykonos, and visit the sacred island of Apollo. The whole island is an open museum and is believed to be the tomb of Ajax, who fought in the war or Troy and is son of King Oilea.
The island of Mykonos is world famous for its vivacious nightlife. It also hosts several beaches, some of which are set up to party day and night. Paradise beach is one of the most popular on the island with a number of popular bars, as well as offering facilities for water sports and a diving centre. At night, the beach transforms into a huge outdoor club with people dancing on the golden sand until dawn. This beach also has easy access to one of the hottest party destinations not just in Greece, but around the world. Cavo Parsdiso is beautifully located on the top of a hill that showcases a spectacular view of the cliffs and ocean. From the outside the club looks like a modest stone building, but as you enter you can see why this is called a clubber’s paradise. Not only is there a huge dance floor designed for a capacity of 3 000, but the club also boasts a full sized swimming pool in the shape of Mykonos Island, talk about extravagant! This club attracts world-class DJs, Louie Vega, Carl Cox, Benny Bennasi and David Guetta, just to name a few, that will keep you dancing after sunrise.