Ancient greek geographers gave this unique cluster of islands the name cyclades because they viewed them as forming a hypothetical circle kyklos around the sacred island of delos. Rugged, sundrenched outcrops of rock, anchored in azure seas and liberally peppered with snowwhite villages and bluedomed churches, this is greece straight from central casting, with stellar archaeological sites and dozens of postcardworthy beaches. According to ancient greek mythology, cyclades were oceanids nymphs. Cyclades islands and department, greece britannica. The best things to do and places to visit during your 9, 10 or 11 days itinerary in the cyclades islands like santorini, amorgos, paros and naxos. Plan your holiday and visit the best beaches and the resorts of cyclades. A travelogue through nine greek islands rhodes, symi, patmos, samos, syros, paros, tinos, mykonos, and delos. With so many beautiful and unique islands to choose from, visitors are truly spoilt for choice. The cycladic and aegean islands in prehistory ebook, 2019. The myth of this island regards its first king, koiranos.
Ferry trips are four to five hours to the closest islands kythnos, syros, tinos, mykonos, sifnos and from eight to ten hours to the furthest santorini and anafi depending on how many stops it. At first sight, the islands may all look rather alike. Information about the cyclades history and its locations. The archipelago contains some 2,200 islands, islets and rocks. Picture the most idyllic greek island you can imagine.
The group took its name from the greek word cyclos, which means circle, as they form a geographical circle around the uninhabited but sacred island of delos. The cyclades is the most popular and characteristic island group in greece. Turquoise blue waters, white buildings, green trees and sunny shores. The cyclades discovering the greek islands of the aegean was published as recently as 2006 and since then he has written on the ionian islands, published in 2008. Fulfil your dreams of sailing the greek islands on a tenday seafaring adventure around the renowned cyclades. The cyclades islands are the most well known of the greek islands and include santorini and mykonos which are the two most popular islands in greece. During the summer there are at least 3 ferries serving this route. The islands made up the nomos department of cyclades until 2011 when local government in greece was restructured and the islands were divided among nine of the new. As if the simple beauty of the area wasnt enough, ancient people found. Their colours are blue and white like the greek flag.
The cyclades are the pictureperfect greek islands where whitewashed villages tumble down to azure bays. This is not a where to stay and eat type of book, but is about the places, people and context. Aug 12, 2014 the cyclades are the pictureperfect greek islands where whitewashed villages tumble down to azure bays. Antiparos history,nature,culture trips in cyclades. Weve written a helpful 2 week greek island itinerary, including ferry route advice, our top tips for traveling greece on an affordable budget, the best places to eat, and our favorite beaches in greece. For the visitor its the ideal place to kickoff any collection of greek island impressions a contrast of places that have become household names for hedonism, contrasting with some out of the way places that are so small big ship cruising has yet to discover them. The book two weeks in the cycladic islands proposes a twoweek itinerary full of things to do on the greek islands. Delos was the site of an important sanctuary to apollo from 700 bce, indeed, the god and his sister artemis were born on the island in greek mythology. Santorini, mykonos, paros, naxos and the other cyclades islands are among the most photographed places in greece. Gorgeous sandy beaches, architecture in white and blue, traditional lifestyle, folk music, warm, hospitable people and barren landscapes with isolated chapels turn a trip to the cyclades into a lifetime experience the name cyclades refers to the islands forming a circle.
Boats to delos leave from a jetty in the mykonos town harbour area every morning except mondays at 9, 10 and 11 a. When his ship sank in the sea, between paros and naxos, a dolphin saved him and carried him to a cave, which is now named after him. Oct 23, 2012 the cyclades returned to some degree of regional importance in the archaic and classical periods, particularly the citystates on the islands of delos and naxos. The cyclades, greece, on account of their beauty they are called the pearls of the aegean sea, and most probably owe their name to kuklos round as they are scattered around the island of dilos, the sacred island, today uninhabited, close to mykonos.
If you want to reach the cyclades from central greece, you can travel from the ports of piraeus or rafina. There is far too much information for the average person to absorb and all i really required was a guide book to the islands, as i am travelling to 3 lesser known ones on holiday. Notio aigaio perifereia region, southeastern greece. Protocycladic civilization, bronze age source and more. The cyclades is comparatively light for freely but is a very good series of profiles of the islands. A visit to the cyclades islands is seen by many people as a visit to the ideal greek holiday resort. Dotting the aegean sea, the cyclades islands are the quintessential greek island fantasy and taking a ferry around the cyclades is the best way to see them. There are great beaches, like mylopotas, kalamos, psathi. More than 30 aegean islands form the circular archipelago known as the cyclades. The cyclades are windy and their beauty is due to their geological, mostly volcanic, origin.
Mykonos, santorini, paros, syros call us for a quick quote event details experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, along with an exciting voyage of discovery, unravelling the wonders of the aegean islands. Led by two experienced archaeologists, this was both educational and highly informative, as well as very enjoyable. The island was also a major commercial and trading centre in the 2nd and 1st centuries ce. Travel between the islands by turkish gulet was relaxing and efficient. The best beach vacation destinations in greece and the aegean sea. The cyclades islands area the cyclades from the greek word for rings or circles is the central group of islands in the aegean, so named because of the way they seem to surround delos, the ancient centre of trade and worship. Discover sights, restaurants, entertainment and hotels. The cyclades is a group of greek islands with beautiful, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains and lush valleys. Ancient greeks called the cyclades kyklades, imagining them as a circle kyklos around the sacred island of delos, the site of the holiest sanctuary to apollo, according to timeline of art history. Early cycladic culture started in the thirdcentury b. Cyclades islands of mykonos, santorini, ios, paros, naxos, sifnos and the others. The cyclades islands has a history extending to the neolithic, bronze age, archaic, greek and roman eras with many remarkably well preserved sites to visit.
Collect 10 nights get 1 free and unlock your secret price. All about the greek islands, discover cyclades cyclades and its beautiful villages and sights. If greece was the cradle of civilization, then for sure the cyclades was where island hopping cruising all started. The cyclades took part in various important uprisings, such as that of 177074 during the orlov revolt, which brought about a brief passage of catherine iis russians through the islands.
Andrew bostock explores the famous mykonos and santorini and smaller islands too. Those, my friend, are the cyclades, a series of roughly 200 islands in the aegean sea between mainland greece and turkey. My husband and i are taking an oceania cruise next month that visits corfu, monemvasia, santorini, crete aghios nikolaos, delos, and mykonos as well as dubrovnik, kotor, kusadasi on the way there and back. The first inhabitants of cyclades were karees and phoenicians. The cyclades is mentioned in the ancient writings of herodotus, thucydides and strabo and the islands were given that name because they formed a circle around the sacred island of delos. In antiquity they were the centre of a bronze age culture, the cycladic, noted for its white marble idols. The cyclades is the most popular island complex in the aegean sea. Due to the close ferry travel from athens and the impressive landscape, the islands of cyclades receive millions of visitors every summer. Cyclades is a group of 56 islands and islets scattered across the deep blue aegean sea. The cyclades history is marked by the early bronze age which covers. The cyclades islands offer visitors to greece the perfect opportunity to experience beauty, history, adventure, charm and much more. In winter however low season starts in november, there arent many boats. The name refers to the islands around cyclic, the sacred island of delos.
Cyclades islands, greece, the most famous island group in the aegean sea. It is really aimed at historians, as it gives a very detailed history of all the islands. Greek ferries around the cyclades islands routes and. Travels through history nine greek islands e book storytel. The group, also includes many others small islands and islets. During high season, the ferries offer many connections between all the cyclades islands. Awesome restaurants and you have to eat at katogi and lord byron at chora of ios and greek souvlaki at peri anemon restaurant. The cyclades get their name from the shape they create in the aegean sea, a circle around the sacred island of delos. The naxos amorgos ferry connection is a popular route for summer holidays, but also for island hopping in the cyclades. The cyclades are the quintessential greek isles, renowned for the beauty of their seascapes, their historical monuments, and a unique way of life deeply rooted in the remote past of the aegean. For the ancients, they formed a circle kyklos in greek around the sacred island of delos. The cyclades are a group of islands in the southern aegean situated between the greek mainland and turkey.
The most visited islands in this group of about 40 islands include andros, ios, milos, mykonos, paros and santorini. Over the course of more than 7,000 years the cyclades have seen a succession of civilizations, the earliest of them perpetuated in legends such as that of atlantis, which has. The name cyclades means encircling islands, and they are so named because they form a rough circle around the sacred island of delos dilos, which was the. Get your guidebooks, travel goods, even individual chapters, right here. Jul 12, 20 a father and son visit greeces small cyclades islands, littleknown compared with neighbour naxos, and all the more charming for that giles fraser fri 12 jul 20 16. The name is originated from the word kyklos that means cycle. Greece holidays in cyclades islands within easy reach of athens, these are the aegeans most precious gems. The 8day jewels of the cyclades cruise begins and ends in athens, greece, showcasing aegean islands known for their whitewashed villages and ports, bright skies and crystalclear waters. Amorgos is one of the most beautiful islands in the cyclades, famous for its blue waters and amazing views to the aegean. You will find detailed information about santorini in my article. Jan 01, 2006 john freely is american, the author of around forty books on popular travel and the history of greece and turkey. Take a look at the actual weather forecast of cyclades.
The most famous island group in the aegean sea comprises some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Ina berg presents and analyses the development of the cycladic and aegean island communities from their earliest settlement in the mesolithic through to the end of the mycenaean period. Ermoupoli, the fascinating capital of syros, is also the cyclades capital. The islands, which have a total land area of 976 square miles 2,528 square km, are peaks of submerged mountain ranges. The volcanic crater island of santorini is simply breathtaking, with tiny villages clinging to rugged cliffs that literally fall into the aegean sea. Optional activities allow guests to explore with a guided group or on their own, while touring the unbeatable greek isles. For anyone with an interest in the history, archaeology and culture of the aegean islands, these 20 guide books are indispensable. Santorini is clearly the best cyclades island to visit for couples or during a honeymoon. Cyclades, group of about 30 islands, south aegean modern greek.
Weve got 308 tours going to cyclades greece, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 16 days. Ios, the original hippie island and still a paradise for harddrinking backpackers, the volcanic cluster of. The cyclades travel guide what to do in the cyclades. As a stylish, cosmopolitan archipelago within easy reach of athens, the cyclades cant be beaten. Depending on the season, the weather and the state of striking unions, ferries around the cyclades can run like clockwork or be hopelessly delayed or cancelled but the adventure can.
Get discounted rates on hotel reservations in cyclades islands, greece with hotels. Cyclades cruise explore the greek islands with experts. The name was coined in the archaic period as the islands form an approximate circle kyklos around the central and most sacred island at that time of delos. The islands come in all sizes and, though the ingredients are the same incomparable light, translucent water, heavenly beaches, lustrous white buildings and bare rock, each one has its own distinct character. Information about the history of cyclades islands, in greece but also information about the history of many islands of the group. Delos is a greek island in the cyclades archipelago which was both an influential political force and, with its sanctuary to the god apollo, an important religious centre in the archaic and classical periods. Setting off from santorini, cruise the aegean sea in search of ancient towns, secluded coves and holiday hotspots like mykonos and paxos. John freely is american, the author of around forty books on popular travel and the history of greece and turkey. Kyklades are greek islands located in the southern part of the aegean sea. Ios island is greater besides the other islands of cyclades. The greek islands are traditionally grouped into the following clusters. The cyclades islands are an island complex located between attica and crete and one of the oldest cultural sources not only in greece but in the whole europe.
I was very disappointed with this book on the cyclades. The archaeological site of akrotiri, one of the most important in greece. Freely strolling through athens, who has summered in naxos since the early 1960s, provides unparalleled insights. The 10 best cyclades hotels where to stay in cyclades. Here, you can find the administrative headquarters of all the islands, surrounded by amazing, clear blue beaches. Greek mythology says that poseidon, the god of the sea was angry with nymphs whom he then turned into islands. They are one of the island groups which constitute the aegean archipelago. According to myth, the islands were the scraps that remained after a battle between giants. Jacolines guide to the best of the cycladic islands in greece. This greece travel guide is specific to the western cyclades, a magical chain of islands. For many visitors, these are the greek islands, and others dont even get a lookin. The larger islands of the group is naxos, andros, tinos, mykonos, paros, milos, thira or santorini, syros, amorgos, ios, kythnos, kea, sifnos, serifos, sikinos, folegandros and anafi. Cyclades simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Those, my friend, are the cyclades, a series of roughly. They include the most famous, including mykonos, paros and naxos, siros, ios, santorini presumed to be the legendary atlantis, and the famous historic island of delos, among others. Thought it would be a tour guide and it was historical in nature. Kea itself is a very interesting and beautiful island with a long history and is very.
Delos is listed by unesco as a world heritage site. Cyclades islands map geography of cyclades islands map of. Some cruise ships do stop at delos, steve, but the vast majority call into port only at mykonos mishita, as steve points out, it can be difficult or even impossible for cruise visitors to see delos because of the timing of their port stops. More specifically, the study shows that around 9600 bc, when according to plato atlantis was above water, the modern cyclades islands were connected by the cyclades plateau, a flat terrain now 400 feet below sea level, that formed the body of a huge island. Explore cyclades holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The operations took place primarily in the peloponnese, and fighters native to the cyclades left their islands in order to join the battle. The cyclades islands are off the southeastern coast of greece in the aegean sea. John freely 19262017 was one of the most widely respected writers of travel books, histories and guides about greece and turkey. Famous for the quintessential blue and white sugar cube architecture as well as magnificent beaches, azure waters, rugged landscapes and ancient ruins its easy to see why. The most popular month to go is september, which has the most number of tour departures. Discovering the greek islands of the aegean paperback 31 mar. Looking to book a cheap beach hotel in cyclades islands.
The impact of mass tourism has been felt more severely in the cyclades than anywhere else in greece. An overview of the most popular places to visit in cyclades. Rugged, sundrenched outcrops of rock, anchored in azure seas and liberally peppered with snowwhite villages and bluedomed churches, this is greece straight from central casting, with. Glamorous santorini and mykonos attract the jetset, while lesserknown isles, such as milos and naxos, are the perfect places for beach lovers.
On a quest to find the greek islands of your dreams. Those are the cyclades you know from the postcards. Find the right tour package for you through cyclades greece. The cyclades islands are located south west of athens and mainland greece and are home to probably the most iconic and well recognised islands in the country if not the world. Located in the centre of the aegean sea, the islands of cyclades are frequently connected by ferry with all three ports of athens. Cyclades island is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted over 20 times. Ferry schedules for the greek islands wintersummer 2020.
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