Welcome to Mykonos, Greece. 5 girls. 1 island during the off season, a hell of a lot of mini-greek-churches, endless ridiculously epic moments.
The Aegan (Mykonos side…) adventure began upon arrival from the Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus port to the lovely New Port of Mykonos Island. It was rainy as the back end of the ferry opened onto the shore, but regardless, the white house on the hills popped out from the mountainsides, and we were picked up and taken to our hotel, Arhontiko Pension (singing Mamma Mia under my breath…)
To start off, I highly suggest renting a car. It cost us $35/day and we drove all around the island to all the random beaches (SUPER PARADISE), the lighthouse on the northern tip facing Tinos, … starbucks (should I be ashamed?) etc.. We had a lunch on the seaside at Ithaki in , the southern part of the island (about a 20 minute drive). The seafood was extraordinary with some Greek white wine and of course Ouzo to finish off the meal. My favorite thing is all of the little churches perked up on the hillsides next to every house. Another reason to get a car, to take pictures of ALL OF THEM.
On the seaside as you enter town (which is all pedestrian by the way) we popped in a restaurant called Kadéva which had divine snacks: Tzatziki, Fava Bean Salad, Spicy Cheese spread, Stuffed Grapeleaves, Mykonian Cheese toasts, Mykonian dried meat bruchetta, etc… Try a glass of Greek Retsina! Roaming round in town is divine, to say the least. It’s like little sets of Grecian dollhouses…..Pop in all the little luxury shops or tourist shops that all cater to the Greek atmosphere. Don’t forget to wander and try to find the Pelican by the seaside and also stop by what the Mykonians call Little Venice to catch a view of the Windmills on the water. Not far from the main water front is a treasure called Manderina, filled with Greek …everything (oils, vinigars, liquor, baklava, olives, honey…). Great for gifts and they even ship worldwide! Try the pistachio baklava, you will probably almost faint it’s so delicious.
Have a traditional Greek meal at Maereio (suggested by our lovely hosts at Arhontiko) When the sun goes down, hit up Jacuzzi and Toro Loco in Mykonos Town. Let’s just say during off season it’s a bit empty, but you’re bound to have an amazing time, especially meeting the locals or running into people you know from Uni (spring break!).
Above all Mykonos is a place of random restless relaxation. Roam the island, wander town, meet the locals, eat TONS of feta… the whole island is a playground. Then again, I can’t imagine it in high season, but for a relaxing spring break it did the trick. For more on Mykonos and some tips for the high things when everything is actually open, check out the 36 Hours In Mykonos by NYTimes.
