Touristic attractions of Naxos

 

"Portara", temple entrance-landmark of Naxos town

The island of Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades.
Due to its important agricultural production, it was one of the latest to open itself to tourism. For that reason, it has kept its authentic beauty which attracts every year more and more visitors.
Naxos has a great variety of things to offer to the visitor: impressive mountainous landscapes with many isolated traditional villages, some of Europe’s most beautiful golden sandy beaches, a charming capital with its Venetian quarter, picturesque fishing villages, many Byzantine churches, ruins, active night life…
Naxos is world famous for its endless golden sandy beaches with crystal waters situated in the western coast.
Some of these beaches has kept their natural beauty and are considered as some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe: Agios Prokopios, Orkos or Plaka.

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Amorgos at Polish tourist magazine H2O

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) In the April issue of the Polish tourist magazine H2O, Marek Slodownik introduces the Cycladic island of Amorgos to the lovers of sailing and “the deep blue.”

The article provides readers with tips on how to enjoy sailing, while gazing at the coasts of Amorgos, as well as information on the island’s history and hidden tourist attractions such as locations where the famous film “The Big Blue” was shot.
The author reports that Greece is a favoured destination for Polish tourists, as approximately 250,000 visit the country every year.
Visit Greece: www.visitgreece.gr – Greek islands

Jewels in the Greek Crown: Folegandros

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Folegandros is a welcoming small island in the Aegean that has led to the creation of its own fan club, as visitors keep coming, year after year, to meet friends from all over the world. They report that they remain spellbound by its beauty and by the hospitality of its inhabitants who seem to consider visitors as honorary guests in a family reunion. Every summer, at the beginning of July, the Municipality of Folegandros organises in association with the non-profit organisation Media dell’ Arte the “”Folegandros Festivities.” The Media dell’ Arte consists of artists and academics who have put together a cultural project called “Isolario” which aims at keeping the small Cycladic islands’ cultural heritage alive through various cultural activities which take place every year on the islands of Folegandros, Sikinos, Donousa, Amorgos and Kimolos.

Jewels on the Greek Crown: Koufonisia

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Koufonisia is a cluster of two islands, Kato (Lower) and Pano (Upper) Koufonisi that belongs to the complex of Small Cyclades.  Geographically, it is located on the southeast side of Naxos and on the west side of Amorgos.  Koufonisia also include the tiny, uninhabited island of Keros, which is a protected archaeological site from which a good number of ancient Cycladic art has been excavated in the 20th century.  The main occupation of the locals is fishing, so Koufonisi is a true fish village where visitors may eat fish and seafood in abundance.  It has one of the biggest fishing fleets in Greece. Its heavenly beaches – mostly sandy – are part of the magic of this picturesque island.

Paros: Jewel in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Paros Island, one of the largest of the Cyclades, has a lot to offer its visitors. Whether one prefers a quiet, peaceful holiday enjoying nature and traditional Greek atmosphere, or one is more of a party type, the island provides endless possibilities. Paros features many beautiful sandy beaches; some are hidden, tiny little bays, enclosed by extraordinarily “sculptured” rocks (“Kolimbithres“- photo), while others are long and wide. The countryside – with its terraced hills and magnificent rock formations, endless vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees – is overwhelming. There also exist many attractive villages in the traditional Cycladic style. Their glowing white houses along labyrinth-wise streets, decorated with arches, pretty balconies, Greek pottery, bright flowers and fragrant herbs can make the visitor discover one postcard theme after another. Visit the website of the Municipality of Paros Island 

Greece / Jewels in the Crown: Island of Sifnos

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  A grey landscape of rock, broken up here and there by a gleaming white chapel, is the first impression on visitors as the ferry draws into the harbour of the Cycladic island of Sifnos. On a plateau six kilometres from the port, one encounters a unique view: the whole of the plateau is covered with sparkling white villages which virtually blend into one another. The island was famous in ancient times for its wealth, which came from gold and silver mines and the quarries of Sifnos stone. It enjoyed great prosperity in classical times, as can be seen from its treasury, dedicated to Apollo at Delphi.  More info: Travel to Sifnos www.travel-to-sifnos.com

The Hidden Fabulous Greece

(www.minpress.gr / The Observer , 10.05.09)  Greece has been a popular tourist destination for decades. Despite the mass tourism, quiet villages and deserted beaches do still exist. Nicola Iseard of “The Observer” assembled a panel of experts and persuaded them to reveal their personal favorites of Greece.   The extensive article features secret islands like Kastellorizo in the  Dodecanese, Milos in the Southern Cyclades and Antipaxoi in the  Ionian Sea and hidden fabulous beaches like Egremni in Lefkada Island.   Moreover there are suggestions for special places to stay like Milia Settlement in Crete and suggestions for the best taverns serving traditional Greek food. For the more adventurous ones, the article suggests active escapes like rock climbing in Kalymnos Island. Read the whole article here.

10 classic Greek Island tales

(From TIME on LINE, By Steve Keenan, 14/2/2008)
1. The perfect Greek island – Oh, that old one again. Well, actually Skopelos is the business says Matt Rudd. “If you do want to break the fabulous monotony of beach life, you can walk up into the forests, have a snoop around a hilltop chapel, spot birds – I don’t know. Some people even come to Skopelos on walking holidays. Weirdos.” 
2. Three go wild on Paxos – “If olive trees were cathedrals, the Paxos trees would be Notre Dame – elaborate, vast, gnarled, ancient and heavily buttressed. They sprawl, fantastically,” enthuses Stanley Stewart in a tribute to the smallest Ionian island. 
3. Simple values in the Greek Cyclades – The lesser known islands of Kimolos and Kythnos are as unspoilt as you’re going to get in Greece, says Nigel Summerley – “short of visiting uninhabited islands that are home only to rocks and temporarily visiting goats put out to graze.” 
4. Back to the Greek islands – in style – Illustrator David Smith, an old Greek hand, returns again to the islands, this time Lefkada and Meganissi in the Ionian Islands – and this time in style. “The backpack has long since gone. The waist band is expanding the back is stiffening. Fastening ones shoelaces now counts as exercise.”  
5. Chic and boutique in Ithaca – The island is packed with trendy bars and boutique hotels, says Annabelle Thorpe. “Downtown Vathy. It’s not a phrase I expected to hear on Ithaca. But perhaps our hotel should have given me some clue that there is more to the island than pastoral bliss.” 
6. The tough little Greek islands – The Little Cyclades are no places for softies – but they are one of the greatest travel treats left in Europe for the adventurous holidaymaker, says Nigel Summerley. “Before leaving Amorgos, we accepted its greatest challenge: walking eight miles along its central range of mountaintops.”
7. Insider’s guide to Cephalonia – Resident Mary Gold is your guide to the largest of the Ionian Islands. “We looked at 13 destinations before building a villa here and we’ve never regretted it. Cephalonia was slow to bite the tourism apple and as a result, the islanders learnt a lot from other people’s mistakes.”
8. Trailblazing Crete – Away from the crowded resorts, Stuart Wavell finds a wilder side to go walking. “Dozens of wooden hives, painted in dual colours, were a reminder of the honey that was once exported from Candy, as the island was known to the Venetians. The music of bees and the wind’s sighs turn paths into soundtracks.” 
9. Zakynthos, where the turtles rule – Midnight flights, hyper children – it’s worth it for the beauty of the island and the protection of its wildlife, says Emma Haughton. “Within minutes a small head breaks the water for a moment before submerging again, leaving me almost light-headed with excitement.”
10. Greek island hopping – Dana Facaros, author of the Cadogan Guide to the Greek Islands, selects three routes to take in the Ionian Islands, the Dodacenese and Cyclades.

Environment Matters in Greece: Rainwater Collection

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Water reservoirs to collect and channel rainwater are the focus of a pilot programme involving municipal buildings on the Cyclades islands, as part of a Rainwater Collection Programme launched this month by the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and the Coca-Cola company in cooperation with Global Water Partnership as part of the firm’s “Mission Water,” which began in 2006.  The technology used to collect rainwater from roofs and other surfaces ranges from simple containers to water reservoirs and underground cisterns, all originating in practices used by ancient civilizations in Greece and North Africa and which are still used today as sources of drinking water in rural areas.  The islands of Naxos, Paros, Tinos and Syros have been chosen for the pilot programme because of their limited rainfall, geology, and sparse vegetation and human activities, which have all contributed to water shortages. Apart from water collection, the programme also includes training for local services and information campaigns.  Athens Plus: In Brief – Island rainwater collection (p.6)  See also: Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean; New website: Apostoli Nero (“Mission Water”)  

Magic Greek Small Islands

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Koufonisia is a cluster of two islands, Kato (Lower) and Pano (Upper) Koufonisi that belongs to the complex of Small Cyclades. Geographically, it is located on the southeast side of Naxos and on the west side of Amorgos. Koufonisia also include the tiny, uninhabited island of Keros, which is a protected archaeological site from which a good number of ancient Cycladic art has been excavated in the 20th century.  The main occupation of the locals is fishing, so Koufonisi is a true fish village where visitors may eat fish and seafood in abundance. It has one of the biggest fishing fleets in Greece. Its heavenly beaches – mostly sandy – are part of the magic of this picturesque island.

Greek Islands: Sifnos / Cyclades

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    A grey landscape of rock, broken up here and there by a gleaming white chapel, is the first impression on visitors as the ferry draws into the harbour of the island of Sifnos. On a plateau six kilometers from the port, one encounters a unique spectacle: the whole of the plateau is covered with sparkling white villages which virtually blend into one another. The island was famous in ancient times for the wealth, which came from its gold and silver mines and the quarries of Sifnos stone. It enjoyed great prosperity in classical times, as can be seen from its treasury, dedicated to Apollo at Delphi.     More info: Tourist Guide 

Visit Greece: Naxos Island

 (GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The island of Naxos is the largest and the most fertile in the Cyclades group of islands. Its numerous sandy beaches make it an ideal holiday place for people who seek a quiet and beautiful are for their vacation. More than 64 villages, most of which are mountainous, cover its slopes. They are well known for their cool climate and their delicious local cuisine. Sport and nature lovers should not miss the walking tour in the fertile Tragea plains, where one sees Byzantine chapels, Venetian residence towers and picturesque villages. The Naxos Festival at the Bazeos Tower, (19 July to 4 September) guarantees a rich cultural life during vacation. Don’t miss this year’s exhibition on the theme: “Art and Madness.” At nights, as one may relax by the sea, and one must definitely try the excellent citron liqueur, produced at Khalki village. It must be noted that the Archaelogical Museum of Naxos has a unique collection of Cycladic statues and artifacts, dating back to 2800 B.C.

French Special Editions on Ancient Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Two French magazines that enjoy wide readership – “Le Nouvel Obrservateur” and “GEO” –  have published special issues on Greece. “GEO” special issue (GEO Histoire No9), titled “La Grece Antique” is about the Hellenic world as the inventor of the polis, democracy, theatre and philosophy. The focus is on Greek civilization, culture, mythology and on geographical areas rich in cultural heritage such as Crete, Cyclades and the Peloponnese. In the editorial by Jaen-Luc Marty it is suggested that the definitive “summer journey” is a journey to the history of Greece, a land once inhabited by gods and heroes. The special issue of  “Le nouvel Observateur” ( 18.6.2008 ) is dedicated to the century of Pericles, featuring articles on the status of women in Athens, the building of the Acropolis, the sophists, the invention of democracy and the education system. Clause Weill in the editorial notes that the shortcomings of our contemporary political system and the need to understand what has gone wrong was the inspiration behind this special on the century of Pericles, a century described as a “momentum of democracy”. Secretariat General of Information: World Media on Greece – Special Reports

New Finds: City beneath Macedonian Pella

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Recent discoveries at the archaeological site of Pella have introduced a new chapter in Macedonian history. Beneath the ruins of the ancient capital of the Macedonian kingdom lies a huge prehistoric burial ground that offers the first evidence of organised life in Pella during the third millennium BC. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki came across over 100 Early Bronze Age burials in large jars, accompanied by marble works of art from the Cyclades islands, local ceramics and metal ware. The finds are so recent that analysis has not yet revealed exact dates, but initial evidence completes what is already known about Pella in the Early Bronze Age (2100-2000 BC). What became known as “the greatest of Macedonian cities” was built on top of the prehistoric graveyard when Archelaus moved his capital there from Aiges, excavation director Professor Ionannis Akamatis says.

Cycladic Treasures

Celebrating its 20^th birthday, the Museum of Cycladic Art has published an anthology entitled “Aegean Waves: Artworks of the Early Cycladic Culture in the Museum of Cycladic Art at Athens.” The publication offers an opportunity to explore the history of the Cyclades through the natural environment and the society of the glorious civilization of that time, as well as to obtain essential information on the function of the intriguing and most well known artifacts, such as the figurines.
Up to date texts, colourful illustrations, maps and chronological tables, complete the content of a must have publication that respects the academic standards by promising an enticing reading also for the non-specialists.