|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Art & Gastronomy
of Mykonos
|
|
|
By Pablo Maes G.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Cyclades islands compose a quintessential, pristine Mediterranean archipelago, with ancient sites, droves of vineyards and olive trees, and stark whitewashed cubist houses, all seemingly crystallized in a backdrop of lapis lazuli. The six major stars in this island constellation in the central Aegean Sea-Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Santorini-are well visited but still lure with a magnificent fusion of sunlight, stone, and sparkling aqua sea. They also promise culture and flaunt hedonism: ancient sites, Byzantine castles and museums, lively nightlife, shops, restaurants, and beaches simple and sophisticated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over the past few summers, Mykonos has bounced back hard as one of Europe's jet-set playgrounds, rivaling the days when its cachet was almost universally evoked with just two words: Jackie Onassis. These days, its hoteliers and restaurateurs are creating the magic by mixing a healthy dose of the island's hedonistic past with a new reality of luxury accommodations, fusion gastronomy and notions of proper service. Mykonos has quickly welcomed a lost generation of globe-trotters, many of whom once scoffed at the idea of joining the mobs massing on its shores.
Mykonos owns its name from the son of the King of Delos. According to mythology, Hercules, in one of his twelve tasks, was fighting the Giants and, having killed them, he threw them in the sea where they petrified and turned into huge rocks, forming the island of Mykonos.
The island's best-known secret: A restaurant with no sign, no phone and open only for lunch, Kiki's is well worth seeking out - just follow the smell of barbecue - and waiting as long as it takes for a seat at what could be one of the world's most idyllic seaside restaurants. The sweeping sea view is matched by the simple, rustic fare: salads of lentils and artichokes or pasta with tuna and cherry tomatoes, to be followed by grilled octopus or a succulent chicken breast stuffed with feta and sun-dried tomatoes.
All in all, our Greek vacation was a completely wonderful experience. We made new friends, saw some beautiful new places, learned a ton and recharged our batteries. That's what such trips are for, right?
I now carry with me a new happy place - when things are stressful, I close my eyes and remember sitting on the balcony of our hotel in Mykonos, watching the boats and the sunset over the famous mill winds, or sitting by the boardwalk and devouring grilled tomatoes and feta cheese, or wandering through the twisty little back alleys and looking for the biggest Pelican I have ever seen in my life.
If you've never been to Greece, you should make the effort to go - for me it was a pilgrimage to the heart of philosophy and civilization, but it was also just an amazing, thrilling, relaxing experience all around. In the words of the Great Gonzo, “I'm going to go back there… Someday.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pablo's Arts & Gastronomic Itinerary (Mykonos) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Day 1 |
|
| Arrive in Athens - Begins with the opportunity to discover the treasures of Athens with an expert local guide. Maybe visit the Acropolis and first modern Olympic stadium? Later, stroll the streets of the famous Plaka area or pick up some quirky souvenirs at the Athens flea markets. |
|
| Day 2 |
|
|
| Go to Mykonos - Take a fast ferry ride to Mykonos (3 _ hours), the jewel of the Cycladic Islands. Rent a Scooter….you are all set! Go out and explore the town. |
|
| Day 4 |
|
|
| Paradise and Super Paradise Beach - Paradise Beach was gorgeous, especially Paradise Beach club at night, what an amazing nightclub. If you're looking for something more serene, check out Panormous Beach, it takes some time to find, but is definitely worth it. Something more 'alternative' go to Elia Beach….did I mention sto for lunch at Kiki's? |
|
| Day 5 |
|
|
| Paranga Beach - There is one guaranteed way of losing the crowds on Mykonos: head for the water again. Paranga Beach has a mix of sandy plateaus and rocky headlands, which make for a great variety of aquatic life. With my cheap plastic mask and underwater camera, I was able to enjoy myself for a few afternoons without spending loads on equipment rentals. The shopping usually picks up in the late afternoons, once everyone has returned from the beaches. It's a great place to buy woven goods, jewelry and folk art. |
|
| Day 6 |
|
|
| Delos Island - Early in the Morning go and grab Breakfast at Alex's Gyros. The gyros here are delicious and best of all, cheap! There are a few outside tables and a small inside bar to eat at. If it's full, get your gyros to go and eat down by the nearby Aegaean Sea. Not many tourists go to Delos, but it's worth visiting as one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Delos, now uninhabited, is the legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Delos was once a major religious center and a place of pilgrimage. |
|
| Day 7 |
|
|
| on for our next trip! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Pablo Maes is the Director of Catering for the InterContinental Hotel in Miami.
He has a Degree in Hospitality Management and a Masters in Culinary Arts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
