There are two small islands in the Aegean Sea visited by thousands of tourists every year, Mykonos and Santorini. Each one has its own charms and its own way to make your vacations unforgettable.
- Mykonos island
Mykonos is the most famous Greek island, attracting international celebrities and VIP from around the world. Here are the main reasons that made Mykonos so popular.
Unparalleled sandy beaches
Mykonos has around 30 beaches, most of which are covered with soft, golden sand. The sea is magnificent, clean and warm during summertime. You can find fully organized beaches with sun beds, umbrellas, water sport facilities, eateries and bars. But you can also find virgin beaches where you can bond with nature and take a break from the crowds and the noise of the island.
Unique luxurious accommodation
There are only very few places in Greece where you can find the luxurious accommodation of Mykonos. Five star hotels and resorts offer cozy rooms and suites with a lot of amenities and services. Villas in Mykonos offers a spacious elegant accommodation to those who prefer more privacy. Mykonos Villas are the top choice for celebrities who spend their vacations on the island.
Intense nightlife
Nightlife in Mykonos starts early in the evening and finishes the nest morning. Crazy parties go on every night at the big night clubs. The two major points of intense nightlife are the center of Mykonos Town and the southern party beaches.
The center of the city is full of bars and clubs and visitors move from one to the other easily. The narrow streets become crowded and dance music is everywhere.
The party beaches have their own big night clubs and guests can drink or dance either indoors or outdoors. For many, dancing on a beach under a starry sky is a unique, wonderful experience.
- Santorini island
The second most famous Aegean island is Santorini or Thira. In older times the island was called “Strongili” (meaning “Round” in Greek), as this was the shape of the island. Due to its active volcano, part of Strongili disappeared and its shape changed to what we see today. This happened at 1600 BC, during the Minoan Eruption
The volcano – not like anything else in the world
Santorini’s volcano was last active at 1950. Today you can visit the crater where sometimes small amounts of fumes come out from the ground. The volcano is also responsible for the creation of Caldera, the giant amphitheater cliff that covers the whole western side of the island. The sea between Thira and Thirasia is 1500 m. deep.
At the islet of Palaia Kammeni you will find a unique natural spa: Agios Nikolaos beach. The hot, shallow waters are covered by a layer of pale mud, rich in sulfur, manganese, iron and other minerals that are excellent for skin, rheumatism, arthritis and other pains. Small bubbles come out from the bottom of the sea, creating a pleasant feeling to the visitors.
The breathtaking views
When you stand on the top of any part of Caldera, you can admire unique views of the sea, the huge cliffs and the traditional Cycladic houses. Visitors say that in Santorini you can experience the most colorful and romantic sunsets. The most famous part of the island to watch the sunset is Oia, a small idyllic village not far from the capital Fira.
The unique beaches – black, red, white
Again due to the volcano, Santorini has beaches of different colors. Perissa beach has black sand and creates a strange but beautiful combination with the turquoise waters. The White beach is small, covered by shining white pebbles and can only be accessed by the sea. The Red beach is maybe the most famous one: huge red rocks created by lava, surround the red – black sand and come down to the deep blue sea.
Remarkable local wine production
Santorini has a long tradition in wine production which goes back to 2000 BC. Vine-growing was the most important agricultural production sector and the main income source for the locals before the touristic growth of the island. Here you will find some of the most tasteful wines – among them the white dry Nykteri and the sweet Vinsanto.
