Hyderabad: Are you tired of those historical tours packed with inane museum visits and some random historical places that you’ve always read about? Are you looking forward to a plain ol’ escape without any particular schedule or wake-up calls? If the answer to both questions is yes then, dear reader, the doctor’s orders are that you book tickets to one of the most popular Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea, Mykonos.
Relax, recreate
A flight will get you to Athens and a ferry from Piraeus pier (for 60 Euros) will get you to Mykonos in five hours. You also have an option to fly down on a domestic flight from Athens to Mykonos (for Rs 3,000 + travel time of 25 minutes on Aegean or Olympic airways). A word of caution, however do not travel overseas without medical or travel insurance.
But Mykonos is a world away from the usual tours. The island is all about relaxation and recreation from a peaceful and calm morning spent on a secluded private beach in the North and walking around alleys of Chora to the buzzing energy of the all-day parties along the beaches in the South.
We stayed at the Mykonos Bay Palace at Magali Ammos Beach, about 300 m from Mykonos Town for Rs 5,500 per night. A sea-view room with sun-beds on the terrace is highly recommended and the view of the beach is absolutely stunning in the mornings. At night, you can actually go to sleep... star gazing (TIP: If you travel off-season April and May, you can still get to do all this and more on ridiculously low prices, but the water’s cold.)
The Bay Palace is about a five-minute walk from Chora and to get around the city you can use a bus or rent a fully-insured Quad bike for Euros 15 from the mini mart opposite Joanna’s Tavern.
Historic treasure trove
But do try to the explore this white-washed island on foot, it’s magical! Passing through the five windmills that overlook Chora, you can walk along a maze of tiny alleys that lead to all sorts of delightful treasures and surprises. You can also window shop at the exquisite boutiques and buy a pair of customised, handmade leather sandals (Euros 25), junk jewellery and some gorgeous linen. Then, you can head to Mikri Venetia or Little Venice, where there are colourful homes built by the sea with wooden balconies hanging high up above the waves. You can then choose to have a drink at Katerina’s Bar by the sunset, from its balcony.
But not all of Mykonos is about drinking the evening away. For that serious cousin in the family there’s so much history to gather from what used to be once, the largest city in the world and the birthplace of Apollo. Every street has something to offer.
Gastronomic delight
For a sampling of the local cuisine, I would highly recommend Nikos Tavern, Joanna’s Tavern, Mourayio and Fato a Mano. The Trio Bambini Cafe has savoury and sweet crepes along with the lovely company of Petros the Pelican (yes, the island mascot is a pelican).
So Souvlaki, Greek Salads, Gyros, Tzatziki with Pita, Mousakka, Dolmades, Meaty Mykonian sausages downed with Mythos beer and Mezes served with Ouzo (an anise-flavoured liquer) were a part of our staple diet on this island. Meanwhile, if you want to get rid of that cousin and head off for some R&R, head to Paradise Beach. There is a public bus running every half an hour, which makes the travel very convenient.
Water sports alert
Nearby though, Elia beach offers the adrenaline junkie perfect opportunities to land face first into the warm waters. There’s water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and for conversations on water, simple boating.
That’s why Mykonos is one of those perfect getaways. It’s an island just to laze, sit and to take in that one thing you miss due to those meetings back home, a beautiful sunset.
The writer is a world wanderer
