Purely Mykonos: 7-Day Vacation in Mediterranean Heaven

The marvels of Mykonos show themselves in the combination of pristine beaches and hidden churches, less-traveled backcountry roads, and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The whitewashed walls of the quintessential Cycladic architecture glint in the sunlight along the streets of Mykonos Town, also known as Chora. The iconic windmills line against the rocky shore outside of the main streets like statues staring out to sea. Your flight will land at Mykonos Airport, where your private transfer greets you upon arrival on the island.

Mykonos has become the cosmopolitan island of the Cyclades acting as a palpable, energetic destination for visitors from around the world eager to indulge in the combination of luxurious beaches, opulent adventures, dreamy villas, elegant restaurants, distinctive history, and inviting ambiance. Enjoy time relaxing in the comforts of your luxurious resort overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy an introduction into both the vivacious and the relaxing sides of the island at your preferred pace.

Armenistis Lighthouse is at the northwest corner of the island and crowns the rugged cape approximately 330 feet from the road. The structure was erected in 1891 and stands over 603 feet tall featuring numerous rooms for the lightkeepers and their families. The cape offers a perfect welcome to the island in the afternoon, and the wind blows wild carrying the briny aroma of the sea breeze. You will have a marvelous view of the Aegean’s turquoise, cobalt, and crystal blue hues leading to the nearby island of Tinos. As the sun sets over the west, the panorama shifts from elegant blues to layers of pink, orange, and red reflected in the water.

In the morning, the aroma of the water carried by the breeze accompanies the decadent scents of a traditional Cycladic breakfast, which includes cheese pies, fresh seasonal fruits, traditional yogurt, a basket of pastries, and the decadent fragrance of delicious Greek coffee. Your view over the beach and the water will enchant you before you make your way to the maze-like streets of Chora, the local name for Mykonos Town. The typical village shines with the whitewashed walls and blue rooftops for which the Cycladic architecture is known.

The center of town is closed to cars and allows for the labyrinth of shops, restaurants, and boutiques to squeeze into narrow walkways and alleys undeterred by traffic. The town’s design was meant to deter the pirate attacks that plagued the island after the growth of merchant commerce in the 18th and 19th centuries. The labyrinth would then trap and confuse the would-be raiders but now results in a similar sense of confusion and awe in modern-day tourists. You will notice the towering homes over the water known as Little Venice. The name derives from the picturesque cluster of buildings once housing Venetian merchants but now containing bars, restaurants, and clubs.

The gorgeous preserved structures retain a sense of their origins with lower doorways opening to the water where merchants would load and unload their goods from the sea. The scent of squid caught in the morning and cooked over an open grill with a squeeze of lemon emanates from the kitchens along the adjoining neighborhood of Alefkándhra. The Folklore Museum is located inside a conserved 18th-century mansion and boasts a fantastic collection of artifacts ranging from ancient tools to vintage furniture, historical photographs to customary musical instruments. Cannons highlight their importance during the 1821 War of Independence when Greece fought free from the Ottoman rule, and the main gallery offers a glimpse of life in the 19th century with a restored bedroom and kitchen.

At breakfast, you can bask in the view of the water and enjoy the cool breeze as the sunlight brings the warmth of the island paradise. The scent of honey and traditional Greek coffee accentuates the beauty of the island and the luxuries of your accommodation. The remainder of the day is yours to indulge in the welcoming climate and inviting beauty of the best beaches on Mykonos. Paraga is one of the beaches no longer secret on Mykonos offering space for visitors along the stretch of golden sand.

A Taverna rests on the shoreline beside a bar and minimarket offering the aromas of fresh seafood and delicious seasonal fruits. The umbrellas and lounge chairs help shield you from the heat spreading over the island. The water shines clear turquoise and sea green hues before drifting to rich cobalt highlighting the depths of the sea beyond the beach. In the distance, you can see the shores of Delos as traditional fishing boats used as taxis known as caïques stop nearby.

The boats are generally made of wood and painted with colorful hues used for fishing, family transport, or the shipment of goods or passengers around the many of the islands visiting other beaches like Elia, Platys Gialos, and Paranga.  You can find water sports like parasailing and windsurfing, or for a different side of the coastline, you can visit Agios, a beach known for the crisp white sand and fantastic snorkeling. Rent a sunbed and relax in pristine view of the sunset at dusk.

After breakfast, you will have a private transfer to the port at Chora and board your boat bound for the nearby island of Delos. The Cycladic island represents the heart of religious antiquity as the birthplace of the mythical twins, Apollos and Artemis. The ancient city of Delos acted as a shrine for the pair, as well as the sacred treasure helping support the commercial activities of the city center. The ruins of the former settlement have become an important UNESCO World Heritage site devoted to the Classical Western World of Greece reflecting the splendor of Ancient Delos.

Many of the original features uncovered on the island are displayed on the National Archeological Museum in Athens, but a large selection of significant items remains in the museum on-site, including the marble lions from the Terrace of the Lions. You can disembark the boat at the Sacred Harbor and notice the vast juxtaposition between the noise of the dock in Chora and the serene sounds of lapping water in Delos. You will follow the Sacred Way, the original path leading to the main temples guarded by the entryway known as the Propylaea.

The structure was erected in 150 BC and contained three portals made from white marble. Four thick Doric columns supported the featured metopes and pediments providing the doorway leading to the Temple of Apollo. While little remains of the 5th century BC structure, the foundation of the temple reveals a Doric design with six rows of 13 columns reaching measurements of 67.5 feet by 43.9 feet. The Lion District contains the Terrace of the Lions, which was erected in the 7th century BC. The nine elegant features crafted out of Naxian marble once guarded the sanctuary by protecting the Sacred Lake, the site from which Apollo was born. The feature resembles the ancient defenses of the artistic, mythical animals of Karnak in Egypt.

The refreshing waters around Mykonos lap against the beach beneath your luxury accommodations in the morning. The rejuvenating scent of the sea fades beneath the rich, vibrant aroma of fresh Greek coffee. After breakfast, you can set out to explore the island away from the beaten paths leading to the beaches on a bicycle tour. You will traverse the paved and the pebbled roads that wind around the island before reaching Gyzi Castle above the village of Ano Mera. The stronghold was erected in the 13th century leaving scattered ruins around the hillside.

The noble Venetian family known as the Gyzi built the defenses during their Medieval rule over the Cyclades to protect the shores from pirate attacks, enemies, and possible local uprisings. The foundations were built over the ruins of an ancient Mykonos city along the outline of the former prehistoric market. Remnants of a more ancient wall fortification protrude from the landscape, while the hilltop provides a grand view to the northern edges of the island and access to an 18th-century church devoted to the Holy Savior. Travel down into the village of Ano Mera to visit the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani.

The often-overlooked structure boasts the familiar whitewashed exterior and bright blue dome accentuated by a marvelous marble fountain and intricate handcrafted wooden altar screen, the latter designed in a Baroque aesthetic by Florentine artists. Mykonos only covers an area of approximately 40 square miles but possesses nearly 365 churches. The Panagia Paraportiani is located in the heart of Chora and represents the picturesque beauty of Cycladic architecture. The windows and central doorway open to the majesty of the Aegean Sea urging self-reflection and a deeper connection to spirituality by framing nature’s bountiful beauty amid the medieval architecture and surrounding Byzantine designs.

The sunlight spreads across Mykonos and shines against the layered blue hues of the Aegean Sea in the morning. After a late breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby eager to introduce you to the wines and wineries of Mykonos. Greece contains over 200 grape varieties found around the country with archeologists finding residues from cultivated vines dating back to the fifth millennium. You can travel to a vineyard practicing organic farming techniques in producing grapes, honey, dairy, and produce. The rugged island landscape adds a luster to the healthy grapes growing on the vineyard, which fortify their flavors in the struggle to flourish.

Your guide will take you along the trellises hosting typical Greek varietals like Assyrtiko, Athiri, Monemvasia, and Mandilaria grapes. The vines soak up the moisture from the sea breeze and morning maritime dew adding an extra layer of flavor to the distinctive wines crafted on the island. You will notice sheep grazing on the weeds around the vines protecting the grapes from possible pests. You can take a seat on the terrace with a view over the rows of vines stretching across the hills.

Your guide will pour you a sample of the white wine that blends Assyrtiko and Athiri grapes cultivated in the dry, sandy soil on the landscape. The grapes are harvested in the heat of late August resulting in a class smooth taste reminiscent of citrus fruits and melon. The refreshing glass is perfect for the warm days on Mykonos. The wine pairs even better with the traditional seafood of the island accentuating the citrus flavors, salty notes, and simple combination of ingredients brought together in preparing a delectable lunch of parrotfish roasted whole, as well as the sweet honey-soaked taste of freshly made baklava.

In the morning, the doors to the Archeological Museum in Chora open to the public bringing artifacts that date back to the 9th century BC. Much of the pottery on exhibition was discovered in Delos while jewelry was uncovered on the island of Renia, known as the necropolis of Ancient Delos. One of the most famous items displayed in the museum is a remarkable statue of Heracles cast in Parian marble. The flawless, fine-grained stone has a semi-translucent white hue quarried from the island of Paros. After breakfast and a chance to take it in, your private transfer will greet you at the hotel and escort you to Mykonos Airport for your flight to Athens. From Athens, you can board your flight home bringing an end to your perfect week indulging in the beauty and wonder of Mykonos.