the waiter ignored me for a table of Greeks who came after me, gave me a Greek only menu (fortunately I could manage) but recommended something that was one of only inedible meals I've ever hd in greece I fed it to the cat under the table. I enjoyed finding the museum & the mini-opera house & the Square was indeed spectacular. I found a place to stay in a fascinating rundown old Mansion - my room was once the formal dining room, the only light was a chandelier (!), the neighboring buildings were deluxe Captain's houses from the Syros heyday as the Cyclades hub. Therefore, it was with anticipation I headed for a few days in May in Syros - I'd always admired the spectacular view of Ermopolis square backed by hilltop churches, and wanted to see them up close. So I like hanging around with Greeks, and being on the edge of their lives. My first time in Samos, I helped a fellow put up a sign announcing his new coffee shop, & in the process learned about his departure from an Athens computer job to start a new job. In Folegarndros, celebrating the local gymasium's last day of school, i sat with the entire faculty (14 teachers) and helped to consume an entire roast lamb & fixings. On antiparos I spent half an hour helping someone repaint around the flagstones on her walk. Coming down from Kea's high town, I shared the trail with a mustachio'd older guy on a donkey, who showed me his walnut grove. When I spent a few days on Kea, it was so untouristed there was only ONE internet connection in the port town, and when I took the only taxi around, we had to stop at the school for the driver to pick up his daughter. Sometimes I have a couple of "newcomer" travel pals along, but also travel solo, without a car, getting around by bus, socializing only with locals. all of the latter outisde of main port area. Some of the islands where I encounter mainly independent travelers, and not crowds of them either, include Western Crete, Serifos, Sifnos (up in the hills), Folegandros, Amorgos, Antiparos, Milos, Aegina, and in the N.E., Chios, Samos, & Patmos. I'm also a dedicated "budgeteer" by necessity, so do not frequent upscale lodgings, instead pensions with 6 -12 rooms. I always travel off-season, such as September or Late May-1st week of June. Neckervd, you seem to imply that my reservations about Syros means that I prefer some of the other tourist "hives" of High season,such as Mykonos OR Santorini, or Skiathos, Corfu, Kos - which can be jampacked with package-tour crowds. Just my experience, that of others may differ. Busses from port area go to many localities on the island. and the Latter is wonderful for a stay, adorable smll port, walkable to all beaches, lovely lit-up mainstreet at night. Also it has the most fascinating port town of the list (Syros has a Gorgeous Town Square - but the rest of the port town I found to be very business-oriented, banks, insurance co's, law firms - it was the business center of the Cyclades).įor 3-4 Days, I'd move to Paros-Antiparos. In addition, lots of interesting tavernas, local meats, cheeses, veg & fruit & wine & olive oil etc (of these isles, Naxos is most fertile, farms, orchards, etc. Also of all those, only Naxos has vineyards, often has Sept wine festivals in villages. check this website Walking, hiking and trekking on Naxos Rent a car for a day, to really enjoy the highlights (ruins, marble mountains, hillside villages etc). My instincts would be 4+ days in Naxos, just because of the gorgeous beaches & the dramatic inland landscapes - I think of the 4, it has the BEST hiking trails.
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