Cyclades
The Cyclades are a Greek island group in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece and a former administrative prefecture of Greece. They are one of the island groups which constitute the Aegean archipelago. The name refers to the islands around (κυκλάς), the sacred island of Delos. The Cyclades is where the native Greek breed of cat (the Aegean cat) originated.
Kea
Kea, also known as Tzia, is found in the Cyclades archipelago. It has a total area of 130km² and its population is approximately 2.500 residents.
It is the island of the Cyclades complex that is closest to Attica (about 1 hour by ferry from Lavrio). Its capital, Ioulida, is built at the side of a hill at a high altitude (like most ancient Cycladic settlements, for fear of pirates) and is quite picturesque.
It worth it walking up its attractive narrow alleys. There are remains of the medieval castle (13th century) to be seen and a trip to the Museum will reveal the findings from excavations on the island.
Other major villages of Kea are the port of Korissia and the fishing village of Vourkari where we usually more.
It is the island of the Cyclades complex that is closest to Attica (about 1 hour by ferry from Lavrio). Its capital, Ioulida, is built at the side of a hill at a high altitude (like most ancient Cycladic settlements, for fear of pirates) and is quite picturesque.
It worth it walking up its attractive narrow alleys. There are remains of the medieval castle (13th century) to be seen and a trip to the Museum will reveal the findings from excavations on the island.
Other major villages of Kea are the port of Korissia and the fishing village of Vourkari where we usually more.
Syros
Syros, is Cycladic island of 83.6 km2withapproximately 21,500 inhabitants. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island and but also the capital of the Cyclades archipelago.
It has always been a significant port town, and during the 19th century it was even more significant than Piraeus. It stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site, with neo-classical buildings, old mansions and white houses cascading down to the harbour.
Ano Syros is the second town of Syros and was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the 13th century on the hill of San Giorgio, north-west of Hermoupolis. Ano Syros maintains a medieval atmosphere. Innumerable steps between narrow streets and houses with coloured doors lead to the top of the town.
The town is served mostly by marble steps.
It has always been a significant port town, and during the 19th century it was even more significant than Piraeus. It stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site, with neo-classical buildings, old mansions and white houses cascading down to the harbour.
Ano Syros is the second town of Syros and was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the 13th century on the hill of San Giorgio, north-west of Hermoupolis. Ano Syros maintains a medieval atmosphere. Innumerable steps between narrow streets and houses with coloured doors lead to the top of the town.
The town is served mostly by marble steps.
Mykonos
Mykonos is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos,Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 86 km²and has 10,134 inhabitants. Mykonos' nickname is The island of the winds.
There are two seasonal winds in Mykonos. The one in winter arrives from the south and is sometimes accompanied by electrical storms. The Sirocco, as it is called, carries sands from the deserts that border theMediterranean.In the summer a cooling wind comes from the north, the Meltemi, during July and August.
In the 1930s many famous artists, politicians and wealthy Europeans began spending their vacations on the island and Mykonos quickly became an international hot spot. Temporarily suspended during the Second World War, tourists once again rushed to Mykonos' luxurious shores in the 1950s and have not stopped since.
There are two seasonal winds in Mykonos. The one in winter arrives from the south and is sometimes accompanied by electrical storms. The Sirocco, as it is called, carries sands from the deserts that border theMediterranean.In the summer a cooling wind comes from the north, the Meltemi, during July and August.
In the 1930s many famous artists, politicians and wealthy Europeans began spending their vacations on the island and Mykonos quickly became an international hot spot. Temporarily suspended during the Second World War, tourists once again rushed to Mykonos' luxurious shores in the 1950s and have not stopped since.
Paros
Paros is one of the Cyclades island group, it lies to the west of Naxos, from which it is separated by a channel about 5 miles wide.
The Municipality of Paros includes numerous uninhabited offshore islets totaling 196.308 km² of land. In Parikia town, the capital of Paros, houses are built and decorated in the traditional Cycladic style, with flat roofs, whitewash walls and blue-painted doors and window frames and shutters.
Shadowed by luxuriant vines, and surrounded by gardens of oranges andpomegranates, the houses give the town a picturesque aspect. Above the central stretch of the seafront road, are the remains of a medieval castle, built almost entirely of the marble remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo.
On the north side of the island is the bay of Naoussa, which provides a safe and spacious harbour. In ancient times it was closed by a chain or boom.
The Municipality of Paros includes numerous uninhabited offshore islets totaling 196.308 km² of land. In Parikia town, the capital of Paros, houses are built and decorated in the traditional Cycladic style, with flat roofs, whitewash walls and blue-painted doors and window frames and shutters.
Shadowed by luxuriant vines, and surrounded by gardens of oranges andpomegranates, the houses give the town a picturesque aspect. Above the central stretch of the seafront road, are the remains of a medieval castle, built almost entirely of the marble remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo.
On the north side of the island is the bay of Naoussa, which provides a safe and spacious harbour. In ancient times it was closed by a chain or boom.
Serifos
Serifos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, located in the western Cyclades, south of Kythnos and northwest of Sifnos.
The area is 75.207 km²and the population is approximately 1,420. Serifos town or Chora which is perched on a mountain and reaching right up until the peak, it is crowned by a big church which looks down from the above and invites all to explore it.
It’s a lovely and at the same time very accessible picture. It is worth visiting the Castle that was built during ancient years and it was destroyed by pirates at the beginning of 13th century.
In terms of local cuisine, don’t miss a local plate “revithada” (chick-pea soup) made and served in a ceramic pot, a very special dish characteristic of Serifos.
The area is 75.207 km²and the population is approximately 1,420. Serifos town or Chora which is perched on a mountain and reaching right up until the peak, it is crowned by a big church which looks down from the above and invites all to explore it.
It’s a lovely and at the same time very accessible picture. It is worth visiting the Castle that was built during ancient years and it was destroyed by pirates at the beginning of 13th century.
In terms of local cuisine, don’t miss a local plate “revithada” (chick-pea soup) made and served in a ceramic pot, a very special dish characteristic of Serifos.
Kythnos
Kythnos, is a Greek island in the Western Cyclades between Kea and Serifos.
It is 100 km2 in area and has a coastline of about 62 mi. It has more than 70 beaches, many of which are still inaccessible by road.
Of particular note is the crescent-shaped isthmus of fine sand at Kolona.The island has two significant settlements, the village of Messaria or Kythnos, known locally as Chora, and the village of Dryopida , also known as Chorio.
Both villages are notable for their winding and often stepped streets, too narrow for vehicular traffic. The villages are very picturesque but in different architectural styles. Chora has the more-typical flat roofs of the Cyclades, while Dryopida's rooftops are slanted and tiled.
Of particular note is the crescent-shaped isthmus of fine sand at Kolona.The island has two significant settlements, the village of Messaria or Kythnos, known locally as Chora, and the village of Dryopida , also known as Chorio.
Both villages are notable for their winding and often stepped streets, too narrow for vehicular traffic. The villages are very picturesque but in different architectural styles. Chora has the more-typical flat roofs of the Cyclades, while Dryopida's rooftops are slanted and tiled.
Source: Wikipedia