Greece Travel Tips and Guide

The island of Mykonos is part of the Cyclades, a group of islands nestled in the southern and central Aegean Sea. In recent years, Mykonos has positioned itself as a trendy place to visit, rivaling even some of the swishiest locales such as Capri or Hawaii. The island's recent fame is thanks in part to the fact that some of the world's most beautiful people have been flocking here, including Madonna and Mick Jagger.

Among the best reasons to visit Mykonos is that it is a feast for all of the senses. The iconic white architecture, the extremely amenable climate, proliferation of archeological and historical hotspots are all among the many reasons to spend your vacation days on Mykonos. And let's not forget about the magnificent beaches of Mykonos! The island is dotted with stunning beaches to suit the needs of every tourist, even those who prefer to take advantage of the "clothing optional" rule that some beaches have in place.

Of all the beautiful beaches on Mykonos, by far the most popular are Platis Gialos, Psarou, Paranga, Kalafatis, Elia and Agrari. Platis Gialos offers vistors an excellent choice of water sports, while Psarou is home to a first-rate diving center. Kalafatis is the island's largest beach, and Elia is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. On Elia Beach, you'll find many secluded hiding spots, perfect for a romantic moment or just some alone time.

On Mykonos, every street is a postcard image in the making, and around every turn is a new adventure. The scenery here is a study in contrasts, from the stark whitewash of the buildings to the sapphire blue sea, the rainbow-colored windows. The personality of the island bleeds through into its nightlife, too: When the sun goes down, many of the island's taverns, restaurants and discos come alive and are flooded with people, tourists and locals alike. The air is filled with a tangle of music from driving rock to soothing jazz. There's something for everyone.

If you fancy a little retail therapy, Mykonos can accommodate you, too. There are many shops on the island selling all kinds of local and tourist-aimed products of just about any category you can imagine. To soak in a little culture, the island of Mykonos has many museums for your enjoyment.

For a fun day trip from Mykonos, head to nearby Delos. There are organized tours leaving daily from Mykonos for Delos, an island that at one time was the cultural and religious epicenter of all of the Cyclades and for Greece as a whole. (For you legend lovers, the story goes that Apollo, god of the sun, and his sister Artemis; goddess of the hunt, were born on Delos. These days, it's an idyllic island with a very interesting museum and some breathtaking architectural monuments to see. While you're visiting Mykonos, you might as well take a day and see Delos, as well. (Oh, and as a note, the name "Mykonos" has a legend attached to it, too. It is named for Apollo's grandson. Legend also says that the rock terrain of Mykonos was formed by the bodies of giants being turned to stone by Zeus!)

Whether your perfect getaway involves nothing more than lounging on a beautiful beach while you take in the fresh sea air or whether you want to soak up a little culture and history, the Greek island of Mykonos has something to make your vacation the most memorable it can be. Be sure to bring along your camera and lots of film or extra memory cards when you go. Mykonos is a shutterbug's paradise!

From his youth Alexander was tutored by an elderly Plato in the ways of people and the wisdom of the ages. As a youth Plato had listened at the feet of Socrates. Alexander learned to look at all aspects of a situation. This is reflected when his father, King Phillip of Macedonia, and his followers all failed to mount and ride a mighty horse brought to sell to Phillip as a sales opportunity to own the most powerful horse in the land. Alexander was the last to try, after pleading with his father, who was afraid the horse would hurt the boy.

Alexander may be the first on record of the fabled horse whisperers. Alexander turned Bucephalus around as he had noticed the horse was afraid of his own shadow, which he no longer saw, facing the other way now. After a period of Alexander relating to Bucephalus, whispering and stroking the huge beast, then mounting him and riding around pleasantly, Bucephalus was purchased for Alexander. King Philip exclaimed that Alexander should look for a kingdom larger than Macedonia as it was not large enough to hold him.

As history shows this was a prophetic statement. Yet Alexander was more than a brilliant tactician and fierce warrior who could inspire confidence in his men, he held loyalty for service on a high level of understanding. When his beloved horse Bucephalus died in India years later, Alexander mourned as if he had lost a blood brother, and had a town built in his beloved steeds memory. To beging with however, Alexander was always the best at everything. In the private school reserved for princes of Greece, where Plato taught. The school was built specially by King Philip in the place of Platos birth.

So this was a chance to later impress and pursuade all Greece if he could dominate these boys, and he did. Alexanders school mates were the other princes of Greece and nearby kingdoms. As they all grew and took power over their own kingdoms, they were easily convinced by Alexander to join in what all else seemed to think was an impossible dream: to attack and conquer Persia. All else in history had been the reverse. Mighty Persia controlled vast portions of the near and middle east. They controlled all of Turkey which had them always it seemed at the Gates to Greece, Athens and Sparta in particular.

Always the attacks with superior forces came from Persia whether by land or sea. Persia was determined and the Greeks and Macedonians were in a state of constant siege. When the time came Alexander had his men ferried across into Persian territory on the west coast of present day Turkey. His ten thousand Greek and Macedonian soldiers faced the army of Persia. King Darius was at the back of them, and they faced off against each other.

The Greeks turned their columns of sixteen foot poles sharpened to a tip which then created massacre, slaughter, Persian soldiers fleeing, as did King Darius when he saw and realized that these were ten thousand warriors of a class he had never before seen.

It seemed an impossibility than ten thousand could defeat one hundred thousand Persian soldiers. But with the innovation of his front line weapon Alexander had the men equipped with a sixteen foot sharpened pole, which they attacked first. The Persians, equipped only with bows, arrows and short swords, parted like the sea in front of this new force The Greeks were skewering Persians soldiers before they had a chance to use their swords, their arrows did little harm as the Greeks moved into a wedge shape and attacked directly into the midst of the Persians.

Darius tried to escape but was killed by his own men who fell to their knees in homage to Alexander and his men. Alexander ordered gentle treatment of the women and fair discipline only when need for the soldiers. All Persia soon became his and he burned the old capital Persepolis. Wishing to place a permanent imprint into modern day Turkey and Iran, Alexander married Roxanne, a beautiful daughter of the defeated King Darius, and had ten thousand of his men also take a Persian bride. Today in old Persia there are apparently quite a few lads named Alexander, with blue eyes, in what had been Persia.

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The island of Mykonos, Greece, has had the world's imagination captive for more than four decades, it it's appeal isn't showing signs of waning. The draw of the island used to be its cosmopolitan way of life, with its luxury hotels and vibrant night life, but now it is much more than that. There is much to enjoy about Mykonos, but a word to the wise about timing: Avoid travelling mid-July through August. This is peak season and it seems that anyone who is anyone is here at that time. 

But the again, if you thrive off of the energy that can only be given off by excited crowds, peak season may be the best time to go. You'll have to decide that for yourself, but for first time visitors it may be a good idea to visit Mykonos in the early part of July. It's close enough to peak time that it will be somewhat busy, enough so that you can get an idea of what Mykonos nightlife is like, but it won't be so overrun by visitors that you won't be able to enjoy some solitude. Remember that during peak time, even find a table, any table, at a restaurant can be an insurmountable challenge. During high season, if you don't make a reservation well in advance, you'll likely be out of luck when it comes to finding a table.

The "reserve early or else" caveat associated with travelling to Mykonos doesn't just pertain to restaurants, either. Unless you plan on sleeping under the stars (which is frowned upon by the police), book your accommodations well in advance of your visit, especially if you are coming during peak season. If you visit Mykonos in mid-September through the month of October, you'll experience a totally different island. During this time you'll get to know the quieter side of Mykonos. This side of Mykonos still offers visitors lively nightlife choices, but the streets and you won't have to clamor for a table or for room on the dance floor.

Fortunately, unlike many of the other Greek islands, Mykonos has an active cultural and social current year round. Even in winter, when the island hosts numerous cultural events such as a small (yet very enjoyable!) film festival, Mykonos is a great place to visit. If you don't want to brave the summer crowds and are looking for some off-season fun, wintertime is a good option as well. No matter what time of year you decide to go to Mykonos, there are a few things to know about how to get around the island. Since the government decreed that Hora was an architectural landmark, motorized traffic is prohibited on its streets. The best ways to get around the streets on foot, on a bike, or on a donkey! The island also features a good transportation system, so there are lots of ways to get around if mobility is not a concern.

If you prefer to travel by taxi, be warned that inside the town itself you'll be picked up by a scooter, not a car. Car taxis are only available for destinations outside the town itself. The scooters can be found at the port, where they will pick you up and deliver you to your accommodation. It's a good idea to use this service, as most of the island's hotels can be a bit tricky to find. No matter what time of year you decide to visit Mykonos, there will be something fun to do and some beautiful scenery to take in. The choice of when to visit just depends upon whether you want to bump elbows with other tourists, or take in the life of the locals.

Athens is a city rooted in its Greek history. The birthplace of democracy and now the capital city of Greece, Athens is a cultural center with fine cuisine, theater, the Acropolis, and generous Greek hospitality. The best time to visit Athens is in the Spring. The weather is perfect and rates are reasonable. Beware of summers in Athens as they can reach high temperatures near 110 degrees F. So if you plan on going to Athens in the summer please make sure to bring a hat, light clothing, sun block, and a bottle of water everywhere you go.

Greek Hospitality: The Greek are known for their hospitality and generous ways. Athenians are laid back people who are generally accepting of all visitors. Many people in Athens know English so feel free to ask for help or directions from locals and passers-by. Meet Athenians half way and learn a few words of Greek. People will appreciate your effort and maybe more inclined to help you.

The Acropolis: The most famous landmark in Greece is the Acropolis, and happens to be located in Athens. Ancient Greek civilization was represented on top of this hill by the Parthenon and other structures that symbolized the lavish lifestyle of the Greek gods.

The New Athens: Since the Olympics were held in Athens in 2004, the city has been revamped. It seems the over growth of Athens has caused poor air quality, busy streets, and a generally overcrowded feeling. But some of this has been made better since the renovations.

Best Hotel Value in Athens: If you want to stay in the heart of Athens, the G.R. Louis Hotel is the perfect choice with a selection of museums and a concert hall, right down the way. The hotel is known for its knowledgeable staff and quiet surroundings. Tourists will definitely enjoy their stay in Athens at the GR Louis Hotel.

Local Customs: Beware of the concrete jungle that has become Athens. With so many drivers, people have a bit of road rage. Try to stay off the streets if possible. Even pedestrians may have trouble walking across the street in a crosswalk. Athenians don't always adhere to the traffic rules.

Smoking in Athens is perfectly acceptable to locals and you can light up just about anywhere you wish. So, you probably shouldn't ask locals to go find a smoking section since that is the norm there. Independence Day is March 25th. They celebrate their Independence day with parades and celebrations making traffic congested and the city busier than ever.

"Ochi" Day, held on October 28th, is another Greek holiday. Greeks commemorate the day Mussolini’s request to let Italian troops into the country at the beginning of World War II was denied. "Ochi" means "no" in Greek. You may see soldiers and tanks parading down the streets in show of Greek pride. Whenever you plan on visiting Athens, you are sure to be met with fabulous Greek food, plenty of shopping, historical monuments, and local Athenian culture and customs.

There are about 1400 islands in Greece, but only 227 of them are inhabited with 78 of these having more than 100 people living there. When you plan a visit to the Greek Islands, you have many options to choose from, but you should do your research to find the best places to visit on the top Greek Islands. Some of the islands are not geared up for tourists, although all of them are beautiful locations to visit.

There are four main islands: Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros and Alonissos. Much of the island of Skiathos is forested and contains more than 70 beaches, one of which is a nudist beach. There is an airport on the island and links to the mainland of Greece by ferry service. There is only one major road that connects the four settlements on the island. Skiathos town is the main town and is a haven for tourists. The villages on the outskirts are mainly farms and there is a bus that runs from one end of the island to the other and cheap taxis.

If you want to visit an island of legends, then Skopelos is the one for you. According to legend Dionysus and Princess Ariadne founded the island. Here you will see vestiges of the vitaculture introduced to the island by the Cretans. Since the economy is fully dependent on tourism you will find a wealth of accommodations and attractions. The town of Skopelos is a Traditional Settlement of Outstanding Beauty and there aer more than 300 churches and chapels on the island.

On Skyros, you will have an excellent view of Mount Olympus. You can also visit a castle that dates back to the 13th century, a Byzantine monastery and a archaeological site of a Bronze Age settlement at Palamari. There are many beaches where you can enjoy the sun and the sand as well as see the unique breed of horses on the island - the Skyrian ponies.

Alonissos is one of the Greek Islands where you can visit a protected area for monachus seals in the Alonissos Marine Park there is one main road through the island that will take you to the farming villages when you leave the main port. There are several unused roads if you want to enjoy walking without any danger of traffic. The old settlement of Patitri, which was destroyed in an earthquake, has been rebuilt as a tourist attraction. While there are many beaches on the island, they are most pebble beaches.

Syros is one of the main islands of the Cycladic group of Greek Islands. The capital of the island, Ermoupoli, is a natural amphitheatre and has numerous buildings dating back hundreds of years. There are numerous outdoor cafes and seating areas. Visit the magnificent churches in this city, which ahs been nicknamed the "City of Hermes". The second largest city is the medieval city of Ano Syros where the medieval atmosphere still prevails. You can walk the steps from the harbor to the top of the town and while the medieval part of the town is not accessible by car, it is serviced by marble steps.

Any of the Greek Islands will provide you with the vacation you are looking for. It really depends on what you are looking for in a vacation when you decide which of the islands are the top ones.

Our image of heroic Greek antiques and figures grew out of even more ancient histories of western civilizations. They evolved and grew out of the cultures of Asia around Mesopotamia and in north Africa with Egypt and the Black Pharaohs to their south, and first allowed free speech in the times of Greek antiques. Here there was little influence until the times of Marco Polo would any understanding of the Orient, or China come to the west. The ways of India were more known as the mountain ranges below the mighty mountains that very much separates India from China.

English in the British centuries of control of India began to learn that all western languages seemed to come from the Sanskrit of India. This amazing realization that an Indo-European culture that had come out of Africa, had first flowered and evolved in warm India. And this Sanskrit civilization had then somehow poured westward to spread their more Caucasian peoples or at least their language structure through Persia into all of Europe.

In fact, I will add an unproven theory: those Sanskrit speaking Homo Sapiens could have been those who drove into extinction the Neanderthals of Europe some 30,000 years ago. This theory has just occurred to me, so I can not yet verify this portion: the rest is well documented. We do know Sanskrit became the mother base of modern European languages. Except in Hungary and Finland where some of the descendants of the Mighty Khan settled.

The languages of Hungary and Finland share a Mongol base, very distinct from their neighbors who more likely have a base around mama for mother and dada or pappa for father and so many other common base words that 1770 English gentlemen of letters noticed this to their shock. But up to Greece creating a citizen army, a free city state where all were encouraged to speak and the theater made mockery of foolish decisions by the elders in charge. Even Socrates, the father of independent thought, had been badly wounded in three mighty battles to defend Athens from Persia, always on the attack.

It was a reward for wounded older soldiers such as Socrates to receive their pension and discuss matters, and how they won the war. But with Socrates and his pupils Aristotle and Plato the issues took on a deeper quest: what was this all for? The fighting, defending, never ending struggles against forces greater than them and determined to destroy them. Socrates would always turn the question back on them: what if he had not fought and earned his small pension and stopped the evil death they all knew the Persian army intended all of them.

Would they be here alive as free men to discuss this if he had not openly shown his wish to be free enough he would defend that right and those of his family to the death, as he had done until he could not swing a sword any more? They had difficulty to do more than thank him, and all would mutter they certainly would do the same for their own families, if it came to that. When dying, Socrates said to Aristotle, who later said to Alexander the Great, he believed there was a God, and that he as a good man was going to a better place.

In contrast, there have been so many documentaries on about Rome and all the excess and self centered degradation of slaves, the gladiators, lions killing Christians, thumbs down. The Republic gave way to an Emperor at Augustus and all rulers were a Caesar after that. No wonder Thomas Jefferson admired the ideals of Greece over those of Rome. His architecture, and that of justice halls of America may seem like the glory of Rome. They are not. They represent the freedom ideals of ancient Greece, as his serene Monticello shows. He was our Democratic Republican President, more emphasis on the democratic than the republican, I think. I stand with Tom.