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Mykonos is the smallest of the main islands
in the Cyclades group, but remains one of the best known of all the Greek
islands. With superb beaches, an international airport, and a cosmopolitan
reputation, it is hardly surprising that Mykonos is such a popular holiday
destination. |
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Mykonos has recently built a new, much
larger harbour allowing easier access for the bigger boats to dock.
During the high season, the island becomes very crowded. The one
downside is that it has also become the most expensive island in the
Cycladic group. |
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Mykonos town is the most picturesque
destination in the Cyclades, and one of the most picturesque in the whole
of the Greek islands. It has also become well known, and rightly so, for
its popularity with the gay community, but this is not the whole of the
Mykonos story, the island has many family orientated resorts, making it
worth considering whatever your holiday requirements. |
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| Little
Venice, is an area in Mykonos town where the buildings are lapped by, and
in some cases overhang the sea. The area is so picturesque that to have a
meal or just to sit and have a drink in one of the tavernas that over look
the scene can cost a substantial amount more than in other parts of the
town, but make no mistake, this is very much a "must see" sight. |
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| Mykonos is famous for its beaches, and
just about everybody has heard about Paradise and Super Paradise, but the
island has much more to offer than just these. Situated at the southern
point of the island the beach at Paraga, with the ability to camp nearby
and the availability of water sports, helps to make this resort very
popular with younger holiday makers. Located in an attractive setting, the
beach is divided into two halves, with a headland separating them. The
northern part is more established and so much busier, while the southern
stretch is less developed and has become popular with naturists. The
resort is easy to reach via the islands good bus service. |
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| The rather exclusive resort built
around the sandy beach at Psarrou has a good selection of water sports
available, with water skiing, wind surfing, and jet skis for hire. The
resort also boasts its own diving centre. |
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| Kalafatis, a large beach located in the
south eastern part of the island is fairly isolated due to the fact that
there are only a few buses that go there, and access is only possible via
Ano Mera 3.5 kilometres away. It is a popular spot for water sports,
especially wind surfing. |
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History
Archaeological
finds have indicated that Mykonos was inhabited in 3000 B.C. during the
Neolithic period. Little is known about the early history of Mykonos
itself, but it is believed that the island was first inhabited by the
Carians tribe, then the Egyptians, who were followed by the Cretans, then
came the arrival of the Ionians from Athens. The islands status seems to
have been directly related to its close proximity to the sacred island of
Delos. The destruction of Delos resulted in Mykonos falling into
obscurity, resulting with it being mentioned in only a few inscriptions
during both the Roman and Byzantine periods. Mykonos came under the
control of the Aegean’s, and by 1207, it was occupied by the Venetians.
Later during the occupation by the Turks, the islanders, who were expert
sailors, contributed greatly to the fleet in the War of Independence.
During the War, in 1822, ships supplied by Mykonos, kept the Turkish navy
at bay when it attempted to land on the island. One of the greatest
figures of the war is regarded to be Mando Mavrogenous, an heroic woman
who supported the war and made a decisive contribution to the struggle
during this period. In 1830, after liberation, and the recognition of
Greece as an independent country, Mykonos had to go through a period of
rebuilding, as the islands economy had been all but destroyed. The people
of Mykonos succeeded in re-establishing its commercial fleet, so bringing
wealth to the island. In 1933 Mykonos started to receive its first
visitors, mainly to view the antiquities of nearby Delos. Since the
mid-fifties the island has gradually transformed itself into a world
famous cosmopolitan resort. |
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