Location Information

Mykonos, Greece
Language: Greek, English
Currency: Euros

Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is heir to the heritages of classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule.

The first Greeks arrived in Europe some time before 1500 BC, and at its peak, Greek civilization spread from Greece to Egypt and to the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan. One of the earliest civilizations to appear around Greece was the Minoan civilization in Crete, which lasted approximately from 2700 (Early Minoan) BC to 1450 BC. Mycenaean Greece, also known as Bronze Age Greece, is the Late Helladic Bronze Age civilization of Ancient Greece. It lasted from the arrival of the Greeks in the Aegean around 1600 BC to the collapse of their Bronze Age civilization around 1100 BC.

The climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean. However, due to the country's unique geography, Greece has a remarkable range of micro-climates and local variations. The Pindus mountain range affects the climate of the country by making the western side of it wetter. The Alpine climate is dominant mainly in the mountainous areas of Northwestern Greece. Finally, the temperate climate affects Central Macedonia and East Macedonia and Thrace; it features cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers.

Capital of Greece and the country’s largest city, Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis, site of the 2400-year-old Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world. Close by lie the Theatre of Dionysus and the restored Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a superb theatre in which open-air performances of the International Athens Festival are held from June to September.

Lying at the innermost point of the Saronic Gulf just outside Athens, and connected to the centre by metro, Piraeus is the city’s main port. From here, ferries leave regularly for the Islands.

The area surrounding Athens, known as Attica, is characterized by calm beaches, and the pinewoods and thyme-covered slopes of Mount Parnes, Hymettus and Pentelico. The landscape combines fertile plains planted with tobacco and cotton, and rugged mountains with unspoilt villages and winter ski resorts.

Restaurant and taverna food tends to be very simple, rarely involving sauces but with full use of local olive oil and charcoal grills. However, Athens and some of the more fashionable islands such as Santorini and Mykonos have seen the arrival of fusion cuisine.

Nightlife is centred in main towns and resorts with late-night bars, dance clubs and live concerts. Athens’ nightlife is among the best in Europe, with many local tavernas, particularly in the Plaka area, and ouzeris (typical Greek bars), plus a plethora of bars and small clubs in the fashionable night time districts of Psirri and Gazi. Note that in summer many of the big clubs move out of the centre to the beaches at Voula, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza.

Mykonos or Myconos is a Greek island and one of the top international tourist destinations. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet its needs.

Archaeological finds indicate that the Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. More recent discoveries have uncovered remnants in Ftelia beach from the Neolithic Kares tribe dating back to as far as 3000 BC.

There are two towns on the island, the larger one is called Hora and the smaller one is Ano Mera. Hora boasts its bustling and vibrant clubbing scenes for real party-goers while the pace slows down in the daytime with many cultural sites to visit. Many art galleries, workshops and museums are aplenty with the most notable one being the Archaeological Museum.

Ano Mera is a quieter, more traditional town with the main attraction being the marble bell tower. Also visit the monastery of Paleokastro, dating from the 12th century, for some peaceful time.

Mykonos nightlife can be whatever you want it to be and appears in many different forms. Greek night at a taverna, a movie beneath the stars at the open-air cinema, a piano bar - night club, chill-out lounges or a variety of bars, nightclubs and discos are among the many possibilities. After dark, Mykonos Town is electrically alive and you automatically get caught up in the vibe. People stroll or parade up and down the harbour front and through the narrow streets in all stages of dress or undress.

Medical Precautions:

Yellow Fever only if you are travelling from or stopping over in an infected area

Recommended vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Tetanus
Polio