Author: M Mykonos Villas

Delos is a tiny island, only a mile and a half away from Mykonos. Famous for its antiquities, it is a quiet rock located in the center of the Cyclades complex, deserted yet visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Unlike its busy, ever-rocking neighbor, in Delos there are no boutiques, restaurants, organized beaches, or night clubs here to entertain travelers; just beautiful seawaters, ancient temples and maybe the most beautiful sunset in the Aegean archipelago!

The Myth

According to Greek mythology, the island of Delos is where Leto gave birth to Zeus’ twins, Artemis and Apollo. It is a fascinating story where Leto, Zeus’ “mistress”, got pregnant from him, driving Hera, Zeus’s wife, crazily jealous. So, when Leto was about to give birth, Hera ordered all the lands in Greece to refuse shelter to her. Immediately Zeus told Poseidon, ancient god of the seas, to locate a safe, hidden place for her; which he did. When Leto flew away from Athens in despair, she was led to the tiny, rocky island. Here she gave birth to Apollo, later god of music and Artemis, later goddess of hunting.

This is how Delos became “sacred”. Its secret was revealed in the late 19^th century by French archaeologists who discovered, among other, many spectacular temples made mostly of marble and even gold. They also discovered breathtaking statues dedicated to Apollo, Artemis, Hera, Zeus, and other ancient gods.

Delos, Then and Now

Being at the heart of the Cyclades, especially in the Mycenaean period Delos was a famous stop for traders. Thus, it gained the fame of a busy, cosmopolitan corner of the Aegean. This was confirmed by the findings of the excavations that included many market areas, a hippodrome, a gymnasium, and a theatre for thousands of spectators.

Today, Delos island remains a fascinating open-air museum, hosting rare antiquities from the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods. There is also an archaeological museum on the island where one can admire 7 from the maybe 12 marble lions that once stood proudly with their mouths open as if they were roaring. The lions were initially guarding the sacred lake where, according to all these beautiful myths, Apollo was born.

Once in the area, visiting Delos is an absolute must; and very easy too, since it is a just a short boat ride from Mykonos with very frequent connection! Just book a villa to be your base and plan your trip to this magical place.

Mykonos is one of the few places that keeps up the beat of its world-renowned day-and-night life until around the end of October.

September and October are magical months in the Cyclades. The sometimes fierce “meltemi” —strong summer northeastern winds— ease down, revealing the natural calmness of the gorgeous Aegean Sea coastline. The air temperature is hot and can climb to unusual —for this time of the year— heights. The sea is even more beautiful and inviting than in the middle of the summer and swimming in its clear, azure waters becomes a real bliss. Of all the islands in this blessed corner of the world, Mykonos is one of the very few that keeps up the beat of its world-renowned day-and-night life until around the end of October.

So, in a sense, one could say that summer almost never ends in Mykonos. On the contrary, Mykonos connoisseurs insist that visiting this world-famous paradise off season, is a little bit like… owning it! You can have the best of everything; best private villa, best table in the most exclusive restaurants, best corner with a spectacular view at one of the super-trendy bars in the Little Venice neighborhood and so on. At your full disposal there are also carefully selected guided tours to churches and monasteries, museums, and wineries that produce fine local wines; plus amazing sailing opportunities, as the calmness of the sea allows comfortable journeys to near by islands like Tinos, Paros or Naxos.

In addition, during this time of the year Mykonos becomes the ideal destination for combining business with pleasure, and organizing corporate events like conferences, incentives etc. The island is well-prepared to address the needs of even the most demanding audiences, as there are many venues that offer state-of-the-art audiovisual and communication equipment for any kind of business event. Also, the level of services is very professional, and you will not have any problem finding the most dedicated specialists to create imaginative and innovative events of any kind. All you have to do is describe your needs and get more than you have been dreaming of; either it is about a most successful corporate occasion or about an unforgettable luxurious, almost private vacation in the amazing Greek archipelago.

Booking your tickets already, aren’t you?

Mykonos has been waiting patiently to welcome its first post-lockdown visitors in a summer that looks like no other summer of the recent global history. During the first wave of the pandemic, Greece has been acknowledged around the world as one of the most “covid-proof” countries, with very few casualties.

During patiently waiting, the island was getting prepared to provide its guests with the best possible safety and precaution measures that will guarantee an authentic Mykonian experience without unnecessary risk-taking.

In this battle there are some extremely strong “weapons” that must be well considered: one is the fact that Mykonos’ spectacular coastline is literally full of amazing beaches; many of them are more on the cosmopolitan side, yet very well organized and equipped for the necessary social distancing. But there are some secret paradises, most of which are accessible only by boat, that offer an almost private unparalleled swimming and sunbathing experience.

And then, there is the famous wind: blowing from the north, the traditional “meltemi” wind can get really strong, especially during the warmest hours of the day, creating ideal conditions for some of the most exciting and popular, wind-driven water sports. Available in many of the organized beaches, they will help your adrenaline rise above the clouds and will totally satisfy your need for something much more adventurous than just resting under the sun! In addition, they will offer you the opportunity to enjoy them on your own: only you, the wind, and the waves for the absolute distancing!

So, depending on your taste and… stamina you can chose the water sport of your preference among a great variety that includes the famous “banana”, tubes, parachute, surfing, wind surfing, SUP, wakeboard, kneeboard, diving, water skiing and much, much more! None of them requires professional skills or experience. You will be guided through them by qualified instructors who will make sure that you will have the time of your life, remaining safe at the same time.

Another magical, solitary experience is diving so that you can discover the underwater treasures of the crystal-clear Aegean Sea. There are many diving schools in Mykonos offering excursions to certified divers and training for beginners. The waters around the island are safe and with a high visibility. All you have to do is follow the instructions and the rhythm of your breath as you dive into the breathtaking big blue!

So what are you waiting for? Book your stay with us and get ready for an amazing summer, full of rewarding experiences!