Our holidays in the Cyclades will constitute our summmer treasures for ever and ever. Millions of people have made the Cyclades their summer destination at some point in their life and for many more they are still a dream destination yet to visit. As the years go by, the Cyclades open up little by little and let us in their secret world. Really, how many of their secrets are you aware off? 

Did you know that...

...If we turn back time through a brief flashback, we will discover beautiful secrets of the past but also interesting myths which bring us up to the present day.

 
• The Cyclades take their name from the world cycle or circle, possibly due to the fact that as ships were approaching the islands they had to move in a rotating manner to avoid the strong winds, or because of the circular layout of this group of islands around Delos which was considered the sacred island of antiquity.
• In Greek mythology the Cyclades are indicated as nymphs, the daughters of Oceanus and Tithyos, that Poseidon transformed to islands because they made him angry!
• We come across the term "Cyclades" in 5th century BC by Herodotus for the first time. According to tradition the first inhabitants of the Cyclades were the Karres, the Leleyies and the Phoenicians.
• The legendary “Cycladic civilization” was born around 9000 BC and many artifacts of unique value on a world scale have already been discovered.

Secrets of the present day...

Ios island...It used to be an outsider, but only a few people know that the island’s beaches are of inconceivable beauty and of great appeal to even the most demanding visitors. If we told you that many scenes of the film “Blue Lagoon” were shot in Ios island, would you believe it?

 

The sunset views from the Caldera in the island of Santorini, constitute a truly unique phenomenon worldwide! You might try and find them elsewhere...but you simply won’t.

 

In Andros island, the island of culture and nobility, is where Strofila plateau right in the heart of the island is located and where the largest preserved Neolithic settlement of the Aegean sea has been discovered ! Among other findings, especially interesting are the oldest rock sculptures in Greece depicting animals, ships and linear shapes.

For food lovers visiting Andros island, don’t forget to taste the traditional "fourtalia" (omelet with local sausage) as well as the mouthwatering local cheeses such as "petroti", "volaki" and "malachto" accompanied with Synetiano wine!

During your stay in the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos, get ready for some celebrity spotting with stars from all corners of the earth!...Needless to say that the island also has completely remote landscapes which will make you feel as if you were stranded on a deserted island.

 

Sifnos island features an open-air museum which is none other than the island’s Castle! The settlement of Kastro - as it is called - is built according to the medieval system and bears hallmarks of a typical Venetian fort. Most importantly it has been continuously inhabited from prehistoric times until today!

 

Naxos is known for its rich local delicacies and for its beautiful villages. Choose this island if you are a lover of natural beauty.

From: Eva Kanellopoulos

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