Greek Islands

Exploring Greece is like living through history with a deep visceral experience that can’t help but touch your soul.   The islands, villages, people, landscape and lifestyle reflect the deep history from antiquity through the middle ages and into modern times.

Each region has its own characteristics and visable history from the Ionian Archipelago to the Cyclades, Dodecane, the Sporades, Saronic & Hydra Gulfs:

• Cyclades is from the word “cyclos” – circle in Greek, as the over 220  islands of the Cyclades form a circle around Delos, the sacred island of the ancient Greek god Apollo. The most well known of the Cyclades islands are probably Mykonos, Santorini & Paros . . .
• The history of the Ionian islands is inextricably entwined with Venetian occupation in the 13th century. This archipelago actually forms the sea boundary with Italy. The official name is Heptanisa, which means seven islands in Greek. The seven main islands of the Ionian Archipelago are Corfu, Paxi (Paxos), Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos (Zante) and Kythira.
• The Dodecanese, in the southeastern Aegean Sea, are known for their medieval castles, Byzantine churches, beaches and ancient archaeological sites. Rhodes is part of this archipelago.
• The Sporades island are located off Mount Pelion in the northwestern Aegean Sea. There are only 4 inhabited islands – Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos & Skyros. Skyros was the island where Achilles went to hide to avoid the Trojan War. Eventually, Ulysses found him and convinced him to participate in his expedition.
• The Saronic islands in Aegean sea are located between the peninsula of Attica and the northeastern coasts of Peloponnese. Hydra, Poros and Spetses are part of this island group.  Occupied by the Romans, marauded by pirates during during the Byzantine period, and generally on the path of invaders, their history is tumultuous. Poros island was the center of an old naval amphictyony that was formed there during the 7th century BC. It is also the place where they worshiped the God Poseidon.

The Greek islands are strewn with charming and picturesque villages along the sea and in the heart of the islands.  Each sailing area has its own history, island culture architectural style and influrences.

Beautiful Cyclades villages with local  Cycladic architecture, historical churches and the traditional lifestyle include:

• Caldera villages in Santorini in with the unique whitewashed houses constructed right on the edge of the cliff, romantic narrow alleys and view directly to the volcano
• The traditional quarters of Mykonos are also special, particularly Little Venice and Naxos
  Charming fishing Cycladic villages in Naoussa on Paros island
• On the little-known islands, villages are even more traditional, such as Anafi, Iraklia, Sikinos, and Kimolos to name a few . . .

Coutryside villages of the Ionian Islands boast narrow alleyways, stone houses, and tiled roofs.

• Fiscardo and Assos in Kefalonia are two very picturesque seaside places.
• Vathi and Kioni in Ithaca offer relaxing atmosphere by the sea, while the small villages of
• Paxi and Meganisi get popular in summer for mooring of private yachts.
• Don’t miss Corfu Town, Agios Matheos, Pelekas, Vathy, Chora in Kelafonia & Kythira, Lefkada Town, Agios Nikitis, and Gaios in Paxi.

The architecture of Dodecanese villages is strikingly different from the architecture of the Cyclades villages, with more earthy colors and Medieval architecture.

• The island of Rhodes, in particular, has many medieval villages including the famous Old Town of Rhodes and Lindos.
• On other islands of Dodecanese, the villages are distinguished for their rich history and natural beauty, most notably, Olympos in Karpathos, Chora in Patmos, Chora in Astypalea, Zia in Kos, Chorio in Simi and Nikia in Nisyros to name a few.

The villages of the Sporades islands are all surrounded by greenery with tradtional regional; architecture – stone houses with one or two stories, red-tiled roofs, narrow paved paths and stone churches with tall bell towers.

• Skiathos Town is the most popular among the Sporades villages.
• Skopelos Town and Chora in Alonissos are pretty and constructed along the slopes of a hill.
• The seaside tourist villages in the Sporades is a quiet summer getaway, ideal for families.