Islands of the Odyssey
ANDROS
Andros island is one of the central Cyclades group of Greek islands. It is large island and a popular choice for weekending mainlanders. Andros has a character all of its own - if a little one-dimensional, but that is part of its charm. The island has many good points. Natural springs give rise to lush green valleys between majestic mountain peaks, the beaches can be spectacular - if remote.
Then there is an extensive network of paths crossing the interior, making Andros an ideal destination for hikers. There are cross-country routes across the mountains and along the shoreline.
Andros is also easy to reach. Ferries heading for Myconos and Naxos leave Rafina every day and Andros is the first port of call. Andros is the most northerly of the Cyclades and just a short ferry ride from the mainland so it's popular with Greeks and many have holiday homes here.
MYKONOS & DELOS
Two islands could not be more different - sacred, desolate Delos, madcap, crowded Mykonos - and yet, taken together, they encompass Greece and Greek history itself.
Mykonos is best known as a jet-set playground, ultimate tourist and party island, gay set refuge, and rock star hangout. What is sometimes neglected is the fact that there are good reasons why Mykonos has become so popular, and it's not just the trademark windmills. It is a beautiful island, centrally located, with a charming capital "city" of narrow lanes, trendy shops, family chapels, and bakeries. Good beaches abound, including many only reachable by boat. The harbor shelters cruise ships as well as yachts and small craft who make the island a regular stop.
In its glory, the Archeological Island of Delos was the banking center of the Aegean, crammed with merchants alongside the abundant temples. It was the heart of the Delian Confederation, and is the hub island around which the circling Cyclades are named.
Make sure to stop at the excellent on-site museum, where some beautiful finds are displayed.
Often neglected on the tours is the charming Temple of Isis, a personal favorite. This Doric temple overlooks the harbor and is often the first structure noticed by arriving tourists. Make the trip to see this small sacred space, still occupied by an unfortunately headless statue of Isis. In front of the temple, take note of the unusual Babylonian-style horned incense altar, where once fragrances rose up to delight the goddess.
The winds on Delos are strong, and the island lacks much in the way of tourist snacks -bring your own water. The gift shop offers some unique Delos-themed items which this souvenir junkie discovered really aren't available anywhere else in Greece.
There are no accomodations on Delos - it is strictly a day visit from Mykonos, and while the island is "technically" open in the early morning, there is no official way of getting to it until later, when the first boats arrive.
TINOS
40 white little picturesque villages, more than 700 churches and monasteries, immaculate dovecotes and beautiful sandy and pebble beaches are the elements that create the wonderful island of Tinos. Still unknown by the majority of foreign tourists, Tinos mostly attracts Greek pilgrims travelling there to see and touch the miraculous healing icon of the Virgin Mary, that was found in 1822. The amazing Tinos is not only the island of religious faith but also the island of art: some of the most important Greek artists were born there such as the painters Nikephoros Lytras and Nikolaos Gyzis; sculptors such as Phlilippotis, Voulgaris and Giannoulis Chalepas, the Pheidias of Modern Greece, perpetuate the island tradition in marble-carving until today.
SYMI
Symi or Simi is one of the smaller holiday islands in the Dodecanese group and it lies just 9km off the Turkish coast, about an hour by boat north of the popular Greek holiday island of Rhodes. Symi is a popular island for day trippers from Rhodes and there are regular daily sailings. Boat building and sponge diving once made the island of Symi rich; now tourism has taken over. Symi island is noted for its peace and tranquillity rather than for beaches, which are in short supply. Symi is also much noted for the very high summer temperatures, which can soar to 40°C or more. The neo-classical mansions that hang off the hills around the main port of Symi are a reminder of the rich pickings once enjoyed by the inhabitants. The island is a great place to get away from it all for those who are looking to get some time to themselves.
KOS
Kos island, Greece, sits bang in the middle of the Dodecanese chain of Greek islands that hug the Turkish coastline running north to south. Kos island is long and thin, about 45km from east to west while its width varies from just 2km to about 11km. Kos holidays are hugely popular with the British package tour firms and Kos was one of the first Greek islands to go for mass-market tourism in a big way, especially along the long sandy coastlines to the east and south. The coast of Kos is swept by magnificent sandy beaches, especially in the south and the island has some of the most interesting archaeological sites in the whole Mediterranean The combination of sand and sightseeing give Kos a uniquely broad appeal and for an all-in beach holiday Kos must be considered one of the best of the Greek islands.. And the island still has much more to offer the more discerning visitor, particularly away from the east and north coasts. Excursions to neighbouring islands such as Pserimos are popular and plentiful and there are any number of daily sea crossings to nearby Turkey for touring ancient sites and for shopping.
TROPEA
Wonderful place in Calabria. Great sandy beaches, old town, steep streets, old churches. Tropea is perhaps the most famous destination in all of Calabria. The highlight is the Santa Maria dell'Isola, built on a rock with sea on three sides and a beach on one. Ringed by cliffs and wonderful sandy beaches, the Tropea promontory is still undiscovered by the big tour operators. The main town, Tropea, easily wins the contest for prettiest town on the Calabria Tyrrhenian coast, its old palazzi built in simple golden stone on an elevation above the sea. On a clear day, the seaward views from the waterfront promenade extend to embrace Stromboli's cone and at least four of the other Eolians - the islands can be visited by motorboats that depart daily from Tropea in the summer.
PORTOROSA
The location is situated in a huge green area, an idyllic countryside, the likes of which you'll only see in Italy. The roads leading here run by the coast, providing the visitors with some wonderful sights of the Tyrrhenian Sea. As far as landmarks go, there are not many, but the town does provide you with an intimate atmosphere and a rugged countryside. Still, there are some touristic itineraries available, like the Aeolian Greek Theater in Tindari, Taormina or a trip to Mount Etna. The Portorosa village does however provide visitors with all the necessities of modern life. There is a commercial enter, restaurants, piano bars, pool, clubs and even tennis courts. The restaurants here specialize in Sicilian food, but also in typical Italian dishes, such as pasta, pizza and a wide assortment of fish recipes combined with whatever the local countryside has to offer. Any curious dinner that has a wide palette will certainly enjoy eating here. And to top it off, some of the best Italian wines are served with every meal to complete your Mediterranean experience. The nightlife resumes to the local venues situated in the close vicinity of the marina. These cater to both the younger generations crowds looking for a night of fun (clubs), but also to those seeking a quiet time in the company of friends (piano bars).
MARATEA
Not many English-speaking visitors have been to Maratea, but those that have, can attest to the fact that Maratea deserves to be called "the pearl" of the Tyrrhenian sea, for this hill top town and all its counterparts (Acquafredda, Fiumicello, and the Port of Maratea), are colourful, charming and splendidly untouched by tourists for most of the year. Maratea has, blessedly kept her true Italian character intact, and this means that prices are good and the locals are genuinely friendly (even if they don't speak perfect English). The Coast of Maratea is one of the most geographically beautiful coasts in Italy and would rank high on a list of mezmormizing places, the world over. The hidden beaches which occupy the shores along this tiny bit of Basilicatan coast (only 30 KM) from Sapri (in Campania) and Tortora (in Calabria), are of rare beauty, a climb to get to, but well worth the trek any time of year. Swimming is only possible from May to November, but the scenery is spectacular all year round. Recognizable from anywhwere along the coast of Maratea, is the large figure of Christ, second only to Brazil's Rio de Janiero figure. Visitors from all over the world, particularly during the summer months, come to take in the spectacular views availble from the head of the statue. Admittance is free and the views truly are incomparable. At this same position, is the church of San Biagio and an ancient village of Lucanians, who inhabited the area before the romans. In the town of Maratea itself, wine bars, cafés, stores, restaurants, and gelato shops line the streets. The town itself and the entire area is clean, safe and well-serviced.