Mykonos

Our first stop on the cruise is Mykonos from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Monday evening. The island is best known for its sandy beaches and nightlife, which is probably the reason for the late visit. Because of the short 5-hour stay, there is no optional excursions offered here leaving plenty of time to soak up the local culture.

Mykonos is one of the better known of the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea that we will visit. They are known as Cyclades, or circle, because this group of islands “circles” the island of Delos where many ancient ruins are found.

The island is rocky and barren, but its main village Mykonos town (or Chora) is a shining example of a typical Cycladic village with its tangled white alleyways and cube-shaped houses. The narrow winding alleys were designed to defy the wind and ward off pirates. Everything here is blue and white - the sky, the sea, the houses, the windmills.

The harbor is one of the most photographed in the islands and its mascot Petros the Pelican stands perpetual guard near the quay.

Several museums can be found in Mykonos town. The Archaeological Museum (closed Mondays) houses many Roman and Hellenistic carvings. The Maritime Museum of the Aegean houses many model ships from Minoan to the 19th century.

The Folk Museum located in the Kastro, or Venetian castle, features many ancient and modern Mykonian textiles. Outside is the Vonis Windmill restored to full working order. It was one of the 30 windmills used by families all over the island to grind corn.

The most famous, and most photographed, church on the island is the Panagia Paraportiani in the Kastro. Built on medieval foundations it features four chapels on ground level with one above.

Lanes run down from the Kastro to Little Venice (officially known as Alefkandra) which is the artists’ quarters. The tall houses have painted balconies jutting out over the sea. Here is where many beach bars are located and the center for a lively nightlife.

Known for its famous beaches, many of them are to the south of Mykonos town requiring a ferry. And since many of them are nudist beaches, I guess it is best for us that they probably can’t be seen from town!