BusinessTravel Guide
MYKONOS
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The Island of the Winds
M Y K O N O S
MYKONOS
hile its historical significance is etched in every plinth, cliff face and monument, Mykonos’ present-day appeal doesn’t necessarily derive from these archaic attributes. Instead, these grand sights serve as a backdrop to an island that thrives on a very westernised culture based on eateries,
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Mykonos, like any Greek Islands, has been built upon a bedrock of historical significance, but is making its name virtue of more modern comforts Writer: Matthew Staff
bars, clubs, entertainment and holiday making. Part of the Cyclades, Mykonos sits between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. Known as the Island of the Winds, its climate is as the name and its location suggests – Mediterranean heat with a coastal
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breeze coming off the Aegean Sea. And much like other Greek and indeed Spanish islands, the weather alone is enough to bring flocks of visitors to its shores each year, in search of a westernised style of hospitality; only in a more exciting setting. Comparable to Santorini, Mykonos has consequently been able to hike its prices up as its touristic appeal has grown, but this will deter very few. As one of the hottest holiday destinations on the continent, Mykonos now thrives as an ancient location offering the most modern of holidays.
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FACTS & FIGURES Country: Languages: Area:
Greece
Population (2011): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD: Climate:
10,134
Greek 105 square
kilometres
Euro (â‚Ź) UTC+3 +30 .gr Mediterranean
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M Y K O N O S
Outlook Recommends “Mykonos is the great glamour island of Greece and happily flaunts its sizzling St-Tropez-meetsIbiza style and party-hard reputation.” - Lonely Planet
HOSPITALITY
Cavo Tagoo Palladium Boutique Hotel Grecotel Mykonos Blu Hotel
RESTAURANTS
BEACHES
CULTURE AND HISTORY Panagia Paraportiani Archaeological Museum of Mykonos Folklore Museum Aegean Maritime Museum
Psarou Platys Gialos
Paranga Kalo Livadi Remezzo Uno Con Carne
RETAIL White Savvas Traditional Greek Products 4
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Ftelia Agios Stefanos Megali Ammos
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Out & About
AS YOU’D expect from a summer holiday hotspot, July and August in particular can be very crowded, with the nightlife at these times hitting peak popularity. It is therefore advised to try and arrange your visit between April and June when accommodation is cheaper and the weather is still inviting. Upon your arrival, the options available to you are relatively simple, but this is an advantage when it comes to this style of vacation. In the capital, Chora - also known as Mykonos Town
- a maze of small lane-like streets are indicative of a typically beautiful Greek town; blending its traditional cultures and feel with the necessary tourist amenities that keep visitors flocking. High-end brands join market-style outlets along the Cycladic streets, and the peripheral communities follow a similar thread. Ano Mera, Agios Ioannis, Agios Stefanos, Ornos and Platys Gialos all offer their own pieces of individuality to the overall melting pot; again leveraging the blend of old and new.
From a hospitality perspective, a host of luxury resorts, villas, apartments and hotels grace the island, including Cavo Tagoo which is one of many to incorporate Mykonos’ breath-taking views as part of its offering. Then, after a long day of sunbathing and bar-hopping, the island serves a plethora of fine dining options; Remezzo and Uno Con Carne being among the most popular when it comes to sampling the local delicacies.
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Transport Links
ROUNDING OFF the traditional island experience is the transport infrastructure, both in terms of reaching your destination and then getting around it. Cruise ships, boats from mainland Greece and a host of direct flights from around Europe make accessibility as simple as can be, and travel certainly doesn’t become any trickier once on
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the island. That being said, it’s advised to be slightly tactical when arranging your ventures around the island. Being such a small area, it really is beneficial to try and make it to places under your own steam where possible. If drinks have been had, then there is a bus service on hand, but as far as taxis are concerned, ‘sparse’ is the most accurate description; only 30-40
actually being present on the entire island. That leaves you with the option of either your own car or motorbike depending on the manner in which you wish to travel. A host of rental companies are on hand to facilitate both, and will give you a welcome freedom to explore both the old and the new at your own leisure.
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Landmark Attractions
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Little Venice
“Little Venice is one of the most romantic places in the whole of Mykonos. This neighbourhood is replete with elegant and gorgeous old houses that are situated precariously on the edge of the sea. Many discerning travellers in the past have fallen in love with this charming quarter and its magnetic appeal.” – Greeka.com
The Windmills
“Come across any photographs of Greek windmills and they will almost certainly include the windmills of Mykonos. These iconic features of the Cyclades set above the island’s main port are a byword for romantic Greek holidays. They can be seen from almost every corner of Mykonos Town, staggered along the hillside ridge above the port and are the first sight to greet visitors arriving on the island by boat.” – Greek Island Postcards
Delos
“Nowadays, Delos reserves its uniqueness to the known world: nowhere else on the globe is there a natural insular archaeological site of this size and importance. No other island on Earth hosts so many monumental antiquities from the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic periods. Delos is not a museum; Delos is not there to tell a story. Delos is history itself.” – Visit Greece
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
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