The Cyclades are a large group of over 200 islands located south-east of mainland Greece, the major islands being Síros, Mykonos, Náxos, Páros, Tínos and Santorini. Ermoupolis on the island of Síros is the chief town and centre of the group of islands. The islands themselves are a unique group of peaks of submerged mountainous terrain that rise from the crystal blue sea, although Santorini itself was formed by volcanic action when an eruption occurred in 1450BC. The Cyclades is the only region of Greece which is not linked with a state-maintained motorway, indeed all of the roads on each island are largely secondary in nature and islands are inter connected by boat. None of the islands of the Cyclades are very large, and from one island you can always look out dreamily over the horizon, where further islands beckon and frame the sunset in the distance.
Two of the most notable islands of the archipelago are the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Mykonos is a beautiful, cosmopolitan island which has sensitively embraced tourism and is graced with excellent beaches. The whitewashed cube-shaped houses of Mykonos Town border narrow winding streets built to withstand wind and pirate raids (luckily of days gone past). Most visitors stay on Mykonos to visit the tiny, uninhabited island of Delos, now a vast open air museum.
Meanwhile, Santorini is many people’s favourite Greek island; it is truly the most picture postcard destination imaginable. This volcanic island erupted in 1450BC, giving the island its distinctive shape. Usually found basking in glorious sunshine, the island has a unique intensity like no over destination in the Greek Isles. The island includes the Minioan town of Akrotiri, the ancient site of Thira and the Monastery of Profitis Ilias. It is the perfect location for a romantic luxury villa vacation.
