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Naxos Powdery white sand beaches, crystal clear water and the ice-cold, lime daiquiri coursing up through the straw and into your lips might create the impression that you’re relaxing on any old tropical island beach resort. But it only gets better. You’re on Naxos, Greece. Look back at the green hills and white walled buildings of the villages on this pastoral agrarian island, with hints of Byzantine and Venetian influence – it’s a Cycladic island, after all – and you’ll realize you’re vacationing in one of the world’s progenitors of Culture.
Indeed, not only does a vacation in Greece combine that dreamy sense of carefree abandon, but the local people – who bubble over with Mediterranean warmth and friendliness – seem to echo the beauty of an ancient civilization that in many ways continues to steer the modern world. The intensity of ancient Greece has found its timeless pace, and even today Greece is a country we could all learn a lot from.
Naxos is a perfect place to start learning. Long lunches, perhaps in the form of a picnic alongside a pastoral olive orchard overlooking Naxos, followed by a restful siesta on the beach during the hot afternoon hours, then wake up leisurely just in time to watch the pink, orange and red sunset smolder over the horizon of the Aegean sea, does this sound like a perfect day for you? Well, it’s nothing on the local nightlife. Naxos features a bustling, lively entertainment scene that many overlook by fierce Greek competitors such as Ios. Nevertheless, the bars, clubs and live music on Naxos is thoroughly enjoyable.
You’ll probably be able to wake up early the next day, and check out some of the fascinating attractions on the island. The humongous Portara, meaning “doorway”, is all that remains of a Temple in honor of Apollo dating back to the six hundred years before the birth of Christ. The ancient ruins at the Mitropolis are quite fascinating – don’t miss them. Another required item on your itinerary is the old city in Naxos, of course, as it is one of the best ways to imbibe the charm of this virtually still-undiscovered city, and island. Lodging is easy to find, as luxury hotels and rental apartments are indeed starting to pop up on Naxos. Make your reservations in advance, just in case. |
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