Mykonos
Where to Stay
Despotiko hotel. http://dorion-despotiko.gr/despotiko/despotiko.html
A wonderful, family run hotel, established in a converted old mansion, perfectly-located on top of Mykonos town - enabling you to walk down for dinner and drinks without having to face drunken drivers on narrow streets afterwards! A small luxurious boutique hotel with reasonable prices.
Or, rent your own pad! http://www.mysunsetproperty.com is a well-reputed Greek company which specializes in upscale villa rentals on Mykonos. Not cheap, but very ChI!
Image courtesy of 4321
Beaches
The water in Mykonos in particular is quite cold and takes some getting used to. The Greeks say that cold water means clean sea though!
Aside from Psarrou, Kalo Livadi and Agios Sostis (ChI’s faves), check out
• Elia – classic Mykonos staple, long and sandy, great for children
• Kalafatis – wind-surfers beach, very windy
• Fragia – one of the more remote beaches, for those who want to be secluded
and peacuful
• Super-Paradise – only tourists swim here, it is mainly a party beach with a
bar and club house music going all day and night
Though night-life might be the first think you think of when you hear “Mykonos”, in fact, the island has risen to its current fame in large part because of its beaches. While some are better than others, it comes down to how much you mind being with many people and what kind of people..generally though, you can’t really go wrong!
Where to Hang Out
At the super-cool beach Kalolivadi, eat at Sol y Mar (amazing black seafood risotto served in a huge shell). Another must-try is the grilled feta in sesame seeds, and at the bar or after lunch ask for the strawberry cocktail..it’s the house special.
The Sol y Mar team has now opened another hot-spot on the same beach offering the same quality and care for Italian food; Sol y Sombra. Call ahead to book a table, or do so as soon as you hit the beach. It gets really packed around 4pm when the sun-lovers feel hungry.
Heaving with chic Athenians (ChIs have been known to party there to Greek and Lebanese music at a Sunday lunchtime!) Nammos Restaurant (which was THE in place for 2007 at Psarrou Beach - (which is also beautiful but gets packed, and can be impossible to find a spot in - so be warned). Psarrou is generally way too busy, and is only worth the hassle and expense (for the chaises-longues) when it is gets really windy, as it is the most sheltered beach.
The taverna at the top of the hill overlooking Agios Sostis beach has been a well-kept secret for many years. Try to go earlier than the rest to savour delicious meat and fish delicacies. The beach below is also fantastic – and remains one of the more bohemian beaches, as there are no chairs or umbrellas but many more low-profile, ChI glamorous Greeks.
Astra is a lovely place to have a quieter drink (not on weekends though when heaving like everywhere else) in Hora. Delicious Peach Daiquiris.
Soho Soho (also in Athens) for designer clothes, swimwear etc. Open till 2am! Stunning bikinis.
Piccolo in Hora for late night munchies - Italian-style sandwiches.
Caprice for sunset cocktails in Little Venice.
Incredible fresh pies at Fourno (Bakery) on way to Kalafati Beach. Open 24 hours and perfect either post-partying or for an impromptu beach lunch.
Club Paradiso with its international DJs – but risk mixing with the hoi polloi