| GREECE: Delos, Island Drive, & Mykonos Walking Tour | Mykonos is going to be an adventure, and we cannot wait to see the windmills of Little Venice.
We will begin our tour at the spectacular island of Delos. Located at the center of the Cyclades island group, Delos was perfectly positioned to become an important trade center in the Mediterranean. Today the island is uninhabited, but it was once a hub of activity and an important site of religious significance. According to Greek Mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo, and people came from around the world to this ancient site to pay homage to the God of music, beauty, and light. In the early 19th century, a dramatic excavation uncovered beautiful artifacts, mosaics, statues, and buildings.
Our walking tour begins at the first monument, the Agora of the Competialists. This open area has a round shrine where offerings were placed. We will also see the Sacred Way, which leads to the Sanctuary of Apollo. The road is lined with marble platforms, which once held spectacular statues donated by kings.
We will continue to the Sanctuary of Apollo, known as the heart of Delos. At one time, three great temples as well as other altars stood in dedication to the god. In this area we will see the base of the marble Statue of Apollo. Parts of this statue are housed in the Delos museum, which we will visit during our free time.
Next stop is the Lion District, named for the famous Terrace of the Lions, where nine elegant marble lions once guarded the sanctuary area. The outdoor lioins are now replicas, but inside the museum we will be able to see five weathered originals.
Upon return to Mykonos, we will board our motorcoach for a scenic drive through the rocky countryside to visit the charming village of Ano Mera at the center of the island, home to the lovely Panagia Tourliani Monastery. Originally built in 1542 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, its impressive architecture, whitewashed exterior, and colored dome have long charmed visitors from around the world.
After a full morning of touring, lunch with wine will be served for us at a local leading venue. A welcome respite to our day is a stop at Kalafatis Beach, where the deep blue Aegean Sea and gold sand will beckon us for a short stroll in the sunshine.
Next we will return to Mykonos for a guided walking tour. Mykonos is a picturesque town with a labyrinth-like maze of tiny streets, white houses, and red-roofed churches. It may be small, but Mykonos is one of the most cosmopolitan towns of the Aegean. But despite the many shops, boutiques, and stylish cafes, the town has not lost its charm and the island's strict building regulations have kept its Cycladic architectural style beautifully intact. Our guided walking tour through the narrow, winding streets will introduce us to some of the area's most treasured landmarks.
Looking up, we will be able to see windmills dotting the landscape. Although no longer operational, they hearken back to the days when the area was once an agricultural powerhouse. We will have our cameras ready to photograph Little Venice, famous for its narrow rows of brightly colored homes that literally sit in the sea. A timeless subject for artists, Little Venice is considered one of the most romantic spots in the Greek Isles. And no tour of Mykonos would be complete without an opportunity to take a photo of Paraportiani Church. Paraportiani is actually five churches, four comprise its base and the fifth is built as the dome on the top.
At the completion of our tour, we will continue sightseeing on our own, especially on the look-out for Petros the Pelican, the island's mascot. |
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