Showing posts with label Sikinos tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sikinos tour. Show all posts

Thursday, June 14, 2012

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.
sikinos-map
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.
Sikinos_church
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.
Sikinos House
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