Anafi Island

Overview

If you are seeking genuine, unspoilt Greek island life, Anafi is the one! Sail directly east from Santorini for about 90 minutes and you will hit this pumice blanketed, majestic former berth of the legendary Argonauts. Being one of the least accessible islands of the Cyclades, Anafi does not offer hotel accommodation, excursions by motorcoach or clubs. Instead, one can experience the delights of Agios Nikolaos, the small, cliff-backed port of arrival with its couple of tavernas and cafe and the truly unspoilt hilltop Chora, just a short bus ride (4 km) from Agios Nikolaos. With only a few tavernas, bakery, small shops and post office, your weekly visit to the out of town hypermarket at home will become a distant memory as you stroll the enchanting, narrow alleys of Chora. If you prefer not to travel by bus, a 1.5 km donkey track is still used by enthusiastic walkers.

A coastal walk scene

The string of beaches that run the length of the south coast of Anafi are nothing short of impressive. From the cliff-sheltered sands at Agios Nikolaos, a short walk leads east to Klissidi, 200 metres of gently shelving, fine sand, 2 tavernas and the location of our accommodation. Even more splendid are the dune backed sands of Roukounas, an hours walk east of Klissidi. Monastiri beach and the coves of Katalimatsa are even further east but all within walking distance.

If you are feeling lazy, a small excursion boat operates between Agios Nikolaos & Monastiri from where it is possible to walk to the Monasteries of Zoodogou Pyrgi & Panaghia Kalamiotissa. I hope that Anafi's unspoilt character is retained. In spite of a government building restriction order for the Chora I cannot help wonder how long the island will resist the onslaught of increasing numbers, especially as the island is now feted in a number of guide books. There is of course one simple answer. Go now before the situation changes! (Hurry up!!!)
Here the advices http://www.agencedevoyage.com

Things To Do
Caiques from Agios Nikolaos port to Monastiri beach

Picture Credit : http://www.helleniccomserve.com/anafi.html

Sikinos | Are we in Paradise?

Sikinos, a small pearl slowly and more visitors every year, but it's still one of the most pristine island in the Cyclades. They come here for peace and enjoy the relaxed life of its inhabitants. As tourism has not yet been reached Sikinos in the real sense, you will see that the island only speak a little English, if necessary, but they are very friendly and do their best to make you feel welcome. People make their own wine, but also because of the nature of the soil hard and sterile, It has often suffered from hunger and poverty.

About the story: In the early years, Sikinos was called Inos, meaning the island of the wine. Archaeologists seem to be able to identify a temple to Apollo at Episkopi in the ancient world, but do not know too much about it. According to mythology, the island has changed its name to as King Thoas of Lemnos by the women of Lemnos had killed all mankind, was pursued. On Inos he married a nymph, and her son was named Sikinos. The Ionians settled on the island in the 10th century BC, and soon the Dorians arrived from the mainland. Venetians ruled the Cyclades in the 13th to the 16th Century, Sikinos was conquered by the Turks in 1566. The islanders have fought bravely in the war of independence, and was liberated in the 19th century.

You should see: The capital, Chora, is situated high up in the mountains. It really consists of two villages, an old and a new one. The old part is also called Chorio ("Village") and the new Kastro. Here, you'll find a small folklore museum and a quite impressive church from the 18th century. When the island was invaded by Turks or pirates, the islanders, who all lived in Kastro, used to pour boiling oil on the enemy. You can still see where the oil came out just outside the wall. Another sight is the nunnery Zoodochos Pigi (Life-giving Source) built in the 15th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Make sure you are appropriately dressed though before you enter: long skirt and covered shoulders for women, long trousers for men. Episkopi is also well worth a visit. No one knows for certain what the ancient ruins under the 7th century church were. The most common theory is that it was a temple dedicated to Apollo, and there is also an amphi-theatre here (I wonder why Dionysus hasn't been mentioned yet: he was the patron god of both wine and the theatre!).

Activity: The island is ideal for diving and fishing. You can also take long walks, bring your camera, the scenery is fantastic.There are no sandy beaches, here you will find great cliffs to jump when in - and get out. There is a boat to take you to the beach of Ag Georgios. It is not a party island, but you can enjoy the evening in taverns in Chora or in port. If you're lucky, people begin to sing and play traditional songs. There are some bars on the island as well. The food on the island consists of high quality, traditional Greek dishes. A few taverns in Chora, and some in the Aloprina port. Chora has a few shops, but they are small and the selection is limited. Here also have a local bus connecting Chora with the harbour. You can not rent a vehicle, but a boat can take you to the Ag Georgios beach.

Getting there: The best way to get there is to fly to Santorini, then take the ferry. Sikinos is also connected to Athens from Piraeus, Naxos and Mykonos. It is a good idea to leave the island at least a day before departure since the boats are cancelled if it gets too windy, leaving you stranded here. You can find guide book from Lonely Planet (Travel Guide) via this site usshoptoo.com

Santorini | Where is Heaven

Santorini is one of those places in the world that will be permanently etched in your mind. Everywhere you look, you will find another photo opportunity. In essence, the land is the remains of an enormous volcanic explosion which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was once a single island. The day after the explosion has created what we see today, a caldera. All whitewashed, charming cottages cling to the cliffs of the circle, while the deep blue Aegean Sea wraps around the geological masterpiece, hundreds of feet below. Its spectacular physical beauty, with a dynamic nightlife, have made a single island of the big attractions for Europe.

Santorini is the last of the Cyclades islands in the South. The nearest islands are Ios, Folegandros, Sikinos in the North, Anafi and Amorgos to the East and Crete to the south.

We call this one, but it is actually a complex of five islands. Santorini (Thira) is the main island and around Thirasia Aspronisi and (parts of the ancient Stroggili) and two volcanic islands Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni.

It was an island called Stroggili (circle in Greek) until about 1645 BC, when the volcano erupted in the center of the island and Caldera was created. The two volcanic islands appeared much later from various eruptions starting 157 BC until the last in the 20th Century (1950).

  Many reasons have known this island and the world more or less everything that we have a picture of him (picture was that the agency used for Greece) have seen. There is a discourse on the relationship between Thira and mythical Atlantis. Also Jules Verne made Santorini famous watch, with its books "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and "Mysterious island," in which Captain Nemo and his crew break out of the volcano. It was one of the visitors and scientists who came to Thira during the eruptions of 1866 - 1870 and wrote the famous book soon after. It is really the mysterious island, the volcano's rules, the view of the caldera, the most spectacular on the planet!

Upon arrival in Santorini, you have three options for how to go to the island on foot, by cable car or donkey. The gateway to the sea in the city consists of 657 four-inch-high steps. This allows a natural workout stepper very well, especially on a sunny day! The cable car ride takes about three minutes ... but you could wait 15 minutes or more for your train. Your final option, riding on a donkey from the old port of Fira is one of the most authentic rustic experience, you will find in Santorini. These animals were once the only means of transportation supporting winding paths of Santorini. A typical speed limits will take about 30 minutes uphill. The more you get, the more points of view! It is truly an experience you never forget. Try it, then you'll see heaven on Earth!