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Sightseeing and Things to
Do in Greece!
For all its late-night virtues, Greece
is almost as intoxicating when the sun is out.
Travelers strong-willed enough to pull themselves out of bed during
prime daylight hours are treated to a myriad of adventure possibilities
on the islands. Taking a moped ride through the countryside and discovering
a cliff-side taverna, for example, is one of Greece's greatest treasures.
 PubClub's
Bartender takes the plunge in Santorini.
Thankfully, there are few tours offering sightseeing trips, so it's
up to each individual or group to create their own adventure. This provides
tremendous flexibility. Swimming, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving,
cliff diving, taking donkey rides and sightseeing are among the available
activities. Oddly, there are few archaeological sites in the Cyclades,
so the only ruins you are likely to come across are your friends in
the morning.
In order to experience Greece at it's best, one must explore. Plus,
it makes good conversation fodder for later that evening.
The adventure on each island is different, so here's a look at what
each has to offer.
Mykonos
Mopeds are a great way to explore the remote areas of the island
outside of Mykonos town.
Some beach-and-bar dwellers may find it hard to believe there are actually
remote parts of Mykonos, but before the harbor escapes the rear-view
mirror of the moped, it transforms into an isolated island.
Here is one of Greece's great contradictions -- the islands offer the
chance to be completely alone or in the middle of the world's wildest
party. These seemingly impossible situations can change as quickly as
one's mood, in a few days or in just a matter of hours.
Riding through jagged cliffs with aqua-blue water as a seaside companion,
the open-air adventure on a moped is exhilarating. To find this seclusion,
head out of town past the port, along the cliff and up the dirt road
past the hotel. The final reward is a taverna at the top of the hill.
High
on the Hogs: Mopeds provide a great escape from the town centers in
order to explore the countryside (top
Mykonos; below, Santorini).
The mopeds can also transports riders to the island's other townships.
Ano Mera, 7 km from Mykonos town, is a quaint. Plati-Yialos
is a quiet beach containing mostly honeymooners. Avoid taking the mopeds
to Paradise. The roads are narrow, poorly maintained and dominated by
buses. This is just the thing one doesn't need after slamming beers
at the Tropicana Beach Bar.
It's easy to get carried away with the freedom a moped provides. But
it's an open-country vehicle. Riding through town is illegal and can
be met with a hefty fine in the range of 10,000dr.
Walking around Mykonos town and shopping is a daytime
or nighttime treasure. Jewelry -- particularly of dolphins, which represent
love to the Greeks -- is a specialty. Bargaining for price reductions
is part of the deal. Your feet can also propel you to a near-private
beach 10 minutes down the main road from the bus station.
The seemingly million travel agencies offer day trips to Delos
(2000 dr). It's an extensive historical site containing, among other
things, a temple to commemorate the birthplace of Apollo. For us, a
trip to Delos is hardly worth passing up a day on Paradise Beach.
Scuba diving is available at Paradise Beach (15,000 dr. for
certified divers, lessons available). Land-lovers in seek of a thrill
will enjoy the go-karts adjacent to the Hard Rock.
It's off to the
races at the go-kart track.
Paros
Those who enjoy long bus rides will thrive in Paros. From the main town,
it takes 45 minutes to reach the closest beach. Fortunately, it's a
pleasant ride through the heart of a lush countryside. Since there's
little else to do on Paros, the beaches comprise the main daytime activity
for visitors.
No traveler, be he/she a seasoned veteran of Greece or someone just
out of a travel book, will mistake Paros' beaches for Mykonos. Only
one, Pounda Beach, has any sustained activity. Windsurfing
is the main attraction at the Golden Beach. The sand is hard-packed,
the water shallow and the winds moderade, making it the perfect place
for squids without having to worry about getting caught in big gust
of wind and winding up in Ios. Adjacent to Golden Beach is rocky and
secluded Drios. Very modest accomodations are available at Drios.
Closer to town is the 6th Century Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Church
of Our Lady of 100 Gates), an imposing structure with churches and a
courtyard. Paros also possesses one of the most bizarre "attractions"
in all of Greece. The Valley of the Butterflies is a massive
meadows that is home to brown-and-white-striped butterflies. Tours are
offered (250 dr.) for anyone wishing to know more about these creatures.
For those who want to walk around a vast landscape on their own with
no hope of ever seeing a butterfly, bus service is available.
The best sunny attraction of Paros is a boat ride away at Antiparos.
Historic caves sit at the south end of the island. Boats leave from
the main harbor (about every hour with a 45-minute trip, 500dr. ) or
Pounda Beach (every half-hour with a 10 minute trip, 200dr.). Buses
go from the Antiparos port for 1000dr.; the caves cost 400dr.
Ios
This is one place where it's okay to sleep away the afternoon. As wild
as the island is at night, it's just as quiet during daylight hours.
The only people wandering the streets are first-timers in search of
some type of adventure.
They aren't likely to find it. Ios doesn't even try to offer any diversions
such as museums. Since the town is basically one gigantic nightclub
disguised as individual bars, there's hardly any shopping opportunities.
Heck, finding a taverna is tough enough in this town.
Savvy travelers head to the beach, where burly Aussies attempt to recruit
foolish souls for drinking games. Others dive into the crisp ocean from
cliffs of various elevations. Mostly, people swim and soak up the sun
until late afternoon beers at the beach bar.
Santorini
Those who walk through
Firastafini are rewarded with spectacular views.
An incredibly diverse island, Santorini offers the biggest daytime
menu of all the Cyclades islands.
Beach lovers will not be enamored by Santorini's sand spots, but that
just sparks an inspiration to adventure.
One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is to trek up the hill from
Fira to Firastafani. Wandering among the whitewashed buildings -- small
hotels, private houses and churches -- until stumbling upon a taverna
for a snack or cold beverage is time well spent.
If you are born to be wild, mopeds are the way to go. They will have
you riding high with the wind in your face. Just stay clear of the big
trucks and motorcycles that zing past, avoid sudden stops and things
should be okay.
If riding atop a 50cc stranger is unsettling, rent a car or Jeep (12-15,000
DR) or rely on the bus system (around 300 DR, depending on the destination).
Seasoned – or shall we say brave or foolish – moped
riders have a venture almost all to themselves. Amoudi is the
least accessable part of Santorini. Sitting at the base of the cliff
at Oi (E-ya), getting there requires making a hair-raising ride from
town on a pebble-strewn road that hugs the edge of a cliff. The reward
is the best swimming hole and one of the most beautiful places on Santorini.
Crystal-clear water, ideal for snorkeling, is found in a bay shared
by tiny fishing boats that serve Amoudi's three tavernas. Arriving at
dusk is like walking into a painting.
Better than the
beach: Amoudi is one of Santorini's crown jewels.
Around the cliffs past the tavernas is a true oasis. A near-private
cove is protected by a rugged rock formation. There's no sand, so comfortable
spots are at a premium, but the deep water is vigorously refreshing.
Adventurous souls can walk around the cliffs to, well, Fira if you
like. Be careful of swimming outside the cove, though, as currents are
strong and may carry you out to Crete. Cliff divers scale a giant rock
just across from the sunbathing area.
After a swim and a nap, enjoy lunch at one of the tavernas. The fish
is so fresh you can literally select it as its being brought in off
a boat. Prices are cheap (about 2500 for a good piece of fish) and beers
are 300dr. Each taverna is a bit different; we like the one on the end
closest to the road because the old Greek guy bringing the beers shuffles
along at an incredibly slow pace. The taverna closest to the edge of
the cliffs attracts the most people.
Bus service to Amoudi stops at Oia; you must either walk down the cliff
or hitch a ride from a donkey.
Beaches
Two main beaches serve Santorini (pay no attention to the overly-hyped
"red sand beach;" nobody goes there). Kamari is the most popular
with the general tourist set, a rocky black-sand beach with an ideal
cliff-jumping spot for daredevils of all nerve levels. It is lined with
cafes and shops, although it is not a big daytime party scene.
Perissa is popular among backpackers and budget travelers as
it offers inexpensive accommodations such as camping for 1000dr The
atmosphere is much more casual and it has a small beachside bar providing
music. A number of inexpensive and decent cafes dot the landscape.
A huge rock separates Kamari from Perissa. It's about a half-hour
moped ride from one to the other through some spectacular scenery from
the highest points on Santorini. Monolithos Beach, near the airport,
is popular among locals.
Donkey Rides
This is a total tourist move but heck, you're on holiday. At the base
of Fira is a set of steps leading to the cruise ships' dock. Donkey
rides are available from the top or bottom. It's best to walk down the
steps and ride back up. It's smelly and donkey droppings litter the
path, but where else can this be done? Take a swim break at the bottom
before forking over 3000dr for the uphill adventure.
"The Breast"
 Scaling
new heights on an familiar formation.
Looking toward the town of Oia from Fira is a large mountain in the
shape of a female breast. It has a hiking trail and a couple of churches
where locals and tourist alike make wedding vows. To find it, go to
the very end of Firastafani at the top of the hill; you will notice
a pathway. It takes about an hour to reach the summit. It's a bold leap
to reach the top and there's no net to catch you if you miss, but dozens
flock here to watch the sunset. Take a flashlight for the return journey
after dark. There's also a path that leads down to the sea but it's
nearly impossible to find unless you are with someone who has trekked
it in the past.
The Volcano
Santorini travel agencies offer day trips to tour the volcano.
This consists of a boat ride, a swim in the chilly "natural hot springs"
and a climb up rocky terrain.
Akrotiri Ruins
This is another one of those "must-do" adventures if you listen to
the travel agents. Akrotiri is the excavation of what archeologists
believe to be the lost city of Atlantis, buried when the volcano (yes,
that volcano) exploded in 1628 BC. Frankly, there's not a lot to see.
Girls seem to enjoy it while men plot to sneak off to the closest taverna.
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