Mykonos - some help please
Mar 4th, 2014, 04:16 PM
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Mykonos - some help please
Hi
We have been invited to a wedding on the island in mid-May and have been working through Fodors Greece for information. It mentions this forum so hopefully someone can help.
We will be 7 days on the island, staying at a town hotel, and will have four days to do some exploring. We have budgeted for the travel costs, accommodation, food and car rental as we know it will be more expensive than some of the other islands we have visited.
Although the guides give us good general information can anyone here perhaps give us some additional help about places that can be found especially linked to history, culture or even interesting places where folks don't normally go to. That's what we have been looking for in the guides because it's what we enjoy. Unfortunately there's not much else apart from the usual general stuff.
We will of course visit Delos which will be a real highlight for us and spend time in Mykonos town as we do know it is beautiful and, hopefully, will have plenty of color from the spring flowers??
Jane
We have been invited to a wedding on the island in mid-May and have been working through Fodors Greece for information. It mentions this forum so hopefully someone can help.
We will be 7 days on the island, staying at a town hotel, and will have four days to do some exploring. We have budgeted for the travel costs, accommodation, food and car rental as we know it will be more expensive than some of the other islands we have visited.
Although the guides give us good general information can anyone here perhaps give us some additional help about places that can be found especially linked to history, culture or even interesting places where folks don't normally go to. That's what we have been looking for in the guides because it's what we enjoy. Unfortunately there's not much else apart from the usual general stuff.
We will of course visit Delos which will be a real highlight for us and spend time in Mykonos town as we do know it is beautiful and, hopefully, will have plenty of color from the spring flowers??
Jane
Mar 4th, 2014, 04:48 PM
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I strongly urge you to take some of your days and travel an hour by ferry to Paros or Naxos to stay for a completely different and more diverse experience of the Greek islands than you'll ever get by just staying on Mykonos. There's a lot more to see and do on these islands than there is on Mykonos.
Mar 4th, 2014, 05:01 PM
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The guide book that I have found quite exhaustive was "Greek Island Hopping guide" by Frewin Poffley. I think the 2014 edition should be coming out anytime. You can usually find a copy from the previous year at your library. Many items mentioned are minor destinations which may not be even a blip except for people with specific interests.
If you are not locked into flying into/out of Mykonos, if you visit other islands, your choice expands. It does not have to be obscure places at tiny islands. Nearby Mykonos are large islands of Paros/Naxos. Even though they are large, lack of big jet airports or cruise ports mean they don't have destinations teaming with cruise boat tourists.
In Mykonos, the town gets mobbed by cruise boat passengers by day. Imagine four or five huge cruise boats many of them carrying over two thousand passengers in port at the same time. Even if only about a half comes ashore, it is still a huge number. Mykonos town around sunrise is a magical place. You can take pictures of windmills, port actions, and picturesque tiny churches against red tinted clouds in the background without tour guides waving flags in the picture.
If you are not locked into flying into/out of Mykonos, if you visit other islands, your choice expands. It does not have to be obscure places at tiny islands. Nearby Mykonos are large islands of Paros/Naxos. Even though they are large, lack of big jet airports or cruise ports mean they don't have destinations teaming with cruise boat tourists.
In Mykonos, the town gets mobbed by cruise boat passengers by day. Imagine four or five huge cruise boats many of them carrying over two thousand passengers in port at the same time. Even if only about a half comes ashore, it is still a huge number. Mykonos town around sunrise is a magical place. You can take pictures of windmills, port actions, and picturesque tiny churches against red tinted clouds in the background without tour guides waving flags in the picture.
Mar 5th, 2014, 12:38 AM
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Thanks brotherleelove and greg.
My husband's first posting overseas was the UK and now stationed in Germany. In the years we have been in Europe we have spent a lot of time in Greece.
We have visited Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Symi, Rhodes, Crete, Kefalonia and Athens.
The wedding will give us another island to discover and after a tense and busy year for us and want to relax and take some time to travel around Mykonos island. We have no intention of taking a ferry anywhere else in the short time available. We have always looked for places on our visits which maybe aren't too well known, but interesting.
No problems with the cruise ships greg, experienced that on Santorini in particular and adapted. We guess most of the passengers will be in Mykonos town and as we hope to get out to other parts of the island it will be fine.
Jane
My husband's first posting overseas was the UK and now stationed in Germany. In the years we have been in Europe we have spent a lot of time in Greece.
We have visited Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Symi, Rhodes, Crete, Kefalonia and Athens.
The wedding will give us another island to discover and after a tense and busy year for us and want to relax and take some time to travel around Mykonos island. We have no intention of taking a ferry anywhere else in the short time available. We have always looked for places on our visits which maybe aren't too well known, but interesting.
No problems with the cruise ships greg, experienced that on Santorini in particular and adapted. We guess most of the passengers will be in Mykonos town and as we hope to get out to other parts of the island it will be fine.
Jane
Mar 5th, 2014, 03:00 AM
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Hello Jane
Contrary to what has already been said you may find a lot more on Mykonos than you might on other islands
All the places I mention here I’ve visited, some a good few times, but usually always in mid-September so best factor that in for when you are on Mykonos.
In the middle of May the town will be fresh and dazzling and you will find your colours. The flowers will be there but it has been a dry winter for the islanders this year (water had to be brought in only last week) so the blooms might be a little less generous. Before anyone suggests it will be party central, it won’t be. Greg makes a good point about cruise ships but at the time you will be travelling there shouldn’t be just as many as July and August.
I wouldn’t have known about many of these places if Bill, a regular here hadn’t mentioned them so the credit goes to him. Fingers crossed he’ll join the thread.
My preferred places are close to, east and north of the Mykonos town. My days of travelling to the beaches etc on the south of the island are long gone.
So, here we go:
For a great photo opportunity of the town, the port and Tinos climb up to the 16th century Boni windmill above Mykonos town (to the left as you look up from the harbour area). There is a small museum inside and the views are terrific. Not too often found by visitors it’s a very worthwhile climb.
Houlakia is north of Agios Stephanos and is a unique island beach. There is nothing else like it on the island. A natural phenomenon, the pebbles are all similar, white and beautiful. It’s a great and very different beach to check out.
Ano Mero is the islands ‘second town’. Some very good restaurants here, more traditional too. The town itself is OK but I’ve never thought of it as ‘pretty’. It does have the wonderful Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Its origins are from the 16th century and you’ll find icons, a bell-tower, fountains and, of all things, amazing incense holders!
The Monastery of Paleokastro is about half a mile from Ano Mera, from the 12th century and is also worth visiting. Close to this monastery are the ruins of the 13th century Gizi castle. Not too much left to see but if in the area check it out. I have a very old book on Mykonos here and it mentions that in this area there is also an ancient cemetery, the remains of a prehistoric market and older wall fortifications. To date, I have never found them. One tip I really recommend is, when there, to look for the huge giant rock on the hillside. You cannot miss it! The archeologists say this is part of a prehistoric tomb as does my old book.
For me another must see are the remote beaches on the very north west part of the island. Deserted, small, sandy and ……windy! Even in May I recommend you both wrap up well. Part of the journey is by road the rest needs you to put on strong shoes and prepare for a sturdy walk.
In September there is a short cruise (on a very small boat) to the caves on Tragonisi Island but not so sure it operates in May. We really enjoyed this but if you suffer from motion sickness perhaps avoid.
Lastly, if you can, take some time to visit Agios Ioannis, only around 10 minutes south of Mykonos town. This is our special place and is very beautiful. The views across to Delos are the best. Locals have told tales about pirates in this area a few hundred years ago, spinning tales to locals to not go there after dark as evil mermaids will come out of the sea and drag them down into the deep. That kept everyone away and the pirates could unload their stolen goods without disturbance. The tiny and beautiful 17th century Church of St John at Agios Ioannis was built by one of those pirates as a form of repentance, apparently.
Here there is also another natural phenomenon called the Apollonian Effect. In all the years I have visited I’ve never seen it but perhaps one day I will. It’s described as looking like a shimmering road on the surface of the water between Agios Ioannis beach and Delos.
Jon
Contrary to what has already been said you may find a lot more on Mykonos than you might on other islands
All the places I mention here I’ve visited, some a good few times, but usually always in mid-September so best factor that in for when you are on Mykonos.
In the middle of May the town will be fresh and dazzling and you will find your colours. The flowers will be there but it has been a dry winter for the islanders this year (water had to be brought in only last week) so the blooms might be a little less generous. Before anyone suggests it will be party central, it won’t be. Greg makes a good point about cruise ships but at the time you will be travelling there shouldn’t be just as many as July and August.
I wouldn’t have known about many of these places if Bill, a regular here hadn’t mentioned them so the credit goes to him. Fingers crossed he’ll join the thread.
My preferred places are close to, east and north of the Mykonos town. My days of travelling to the beaches etc on the south of the island are long gone.
So, here we go:
For a great photo opportunity of the town, the port and Tinos climb up to the 16th century Boni windmill above Mykonos town (to the left as you look up from the harbour area). There is a small museum inside and the views are terrific. Not too often found by visitors it’s a very worthwhile climb.
Houlakia is north of Agios Stephanos and is a unique island beach. There is nothing else like it on the island. A natural phenomenon, the pebbles are all similar, white and beautiful. It’s a great and very different beach to check out.
Ano Mero is the islands ‘second town’. Some very good restaurants here, more traditional too. The town itself is OK but I’ve never thought of it as ‘pretty’. It does have the wonderful Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Its origins are from the 16th century and you’ll find icons, a bell-tower, fountains and, of all things, amazing incense holders!
The Monastery of Paleokastro is about half a mile from Ano Mera, from the 12th century and is also worth visiting. Close to this monastery are the ruins of the 13th century Gizi castle. Not too much left to see but if in the area check it out. I have a very old book on Mykonos here and it mentions that in this area there is also an ancient cemetery, the remains of a prehistoric market and older wall fortifications. To date, I have never found them. One tip I really recommend is, when there, to look for the huge giant rock on the hillside. You cannot miss it! The archeologists say this is part of a prehistoric tomb as does my old book.
For me another must see are the remote beaches on the very north west part of the island. Deserted, small, sandy and ……windy! Even in May I recommend you both wrap up well. Part of the journey is by road the rest needs you to put on strong shoes and prepare for a sturdy walk.
In September there is a short cruise (on a very small boat) to the caves on Tragonisi Island but not so sure it operates in May. We really enjoyed this but if you suffer from motion sickness perhaps avoid.
Lastly, if you can, take some time to visit Agios Ioannis, only around 10 minutes south of Mykonos town. This is our special place and is very beautiful. The views across to Delos are the best. Locals have told tales about pirates in this area a few hundred years ago, spinning tales to locals to not go there after dark as evil mermaids will come out of the sea and drag them down into the deep. That kept everyone away and the pirates could unload their stolen goods without disturbance. The tiny and beautiful 17th century Church of St John at Agios Ioannis was built by one of those pirates as a form of repentance, apparently.
Here there is also another natural phenomenon called the Apollonian Effect. In all the years I have visited I’ve never seen it but perhaps one day I will. It’s described as looking like a shimmering road on the surface of the water between Agios Ioannis beach and Delos.
Jon
Mar 5th, 2014, 09:18 AM
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wow Jon, thank you so much. That is EXACTLY the information I was looking for. I'll take time to work through the details and speak to my husband about it all. I think I will be back with more questions! Jane
Mar 5th, 2014, 11:12 AM
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I don't mean to diminish your excitement about these hard to find places where "folks don't normally go to." Boni Windmill and Agios Ioannis are well described in Rick Steves guidebook. The remote beaches are described in the "Greek Island Hopping Guide." The remote beach has a consideration many people don't mention. Most require driving on unpaved roads. Is this an issue? If you read any car rental agreements, driving on unpaved road is prohibited except with specific vehicles and would result in nullification of insurance -- in words in principle. So you would say your credit card has insurance. But if you read the fine prints there, it also requires complying with the rental car agreement as a condition for coverage. What I observed in practice was that many people drove rental cars onto unpaved pot hole riddled roads despite clear disclaimer with undercarriage damages. I didn't know if they were unaware of the insurance angle or if they knew but thought they were above accidents/damages. I thought the practice seemed to be don't ask the agent, don't answer inquiries, hope for no accident/damage on unpaved roads.
Mar 5th, 2014, 11:52 AM
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greg
that is absolutely true, cars are not insured if something happens on an unpaved road, and you pay for any damage caused underneath of car due to driving on such a road.
Agents usually don't mention it ( it is stated on the contract of course) and people renting never read the fine prints... unless it comes to an accident.
that is absolutely true, cars are not insured if something happens on an unpaved road, and you pay for any damage caused underneath of car due to driving on such a road.
Agents usually don't mention it ( it is stated on the contract of course) and people renting never read the fine prints... unless it comes to an accident.
Mar 5th, 2014, 04:02 PM
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greg
You are not diminishing anything. I have the Fodors guide and the Rough Guide and neither mention a windmill called Boni. Having gone back to the Fodors guide, I have worked through it again and found they call it the Agricultural Museum and I guess I read no further because I wasn't interested in island agriculture! So, that and the rest of the information I have already been given works for me, perfectly. I see too that Agios Ioannis is mentioned but the additional details are what I was looking for and what I got. It wouldn't mean too much to me when reading the book.
I never even thought of the Greek Island Hopping Guide because we are not going to any other island. This time around it will only be Mykonos.
Thanks to both you and clausar for details of the unpaved roads issue. We will bear it in mind.
I've read BigRuss's comment about cruise ships in May. I do know they visit as early as April as our previous neighbors here cruised the Aegean a few years ago during that month and visited Mykonos for a few hours.
Jane
You are not diminishing anything. I have the Fodors guide and the Rough Guide and neither mention a windmill called Boni. Having gone back to the Fodors guide, I have worked through it again and found they call it the Agricultural Museum and I guess I read no further because I wasn't interested in island agriculture! So, that and the rest of the information I have already been given works for me, perfectly. I see too that Agios Ioannis is mentioned but the additional details are what I was looking for and what I got. It wouldn't mean too much to me when reading the book.
I never even thought of the Greek Island Hopping Guide because we are not going to any other island. This time around it will only be Mykonos.
Thanks to both you and clausar for details of the unpaved roads issue. We will bear it in mind.
I've read BigRuss's comment about cruise ships in May. I do know they visit as early as April as our previous neighbors here cruised the Aegean a few years ago during that month and visited Mykonos for a few hours.
Jane
Jun 18th, 2014, 09:55 AM
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We had a great time on Mykonos and the wedding was wonderful. The reception was at a beach-side restaurant at Ornos therefore the setting looking out over the sea was quite special. For anyone else considering visiting the island in mid-May take a wrap! We found two of the evenings particularly cool.
This is just a quick thank you to those who contributed. Jon, we visited every place you suggested apart from the northern isolated beaches. Your recommendations were great and we loved what felt like a personal itinerary. Agios Ioannis we so enjoyed and spent almost a full day there. We didn't see any natural phenomenon though!
Greg thank you too for the details about driving on unpaved roads. That diverted us away from the remote beaches which gave us more time elsewhere.
brotherleelove2004, I am so very pleased we didn't take up your suggestion. Thankfully we have traveled to other Greek islands and, in a small way, can compare. We didn't feel any need to leave for a few days which you recommended. Yes, Mykonos is very different to Naxos and Paros but thank goodness for diversity.
Jane
This is just a quick thank you to those who contributed. Jon, we visited every place you suggested apart from the northern isolated beaches. Your recommendations were great and we loved what felt like a personal itinerary. Agios Ioannis we so enjoyed and spent almost a full day there. We didn't see any natural phenomenon though!
Greg thank you too for the details about driving on unpaved roads. That diverted us away from the remote beaches which gave us more time elsewhere.
brotherleelove2004, I am so very pleased we didn't take up your suggestion. Thankfully we have traveled to other Greek islands and, in a small way, can compare. We didn't feel any need to leave for a few days which you recommended. Yes, Mykonos is very different to Naxos and Paros but thank goodness for diversity.
Jane
