Naxos Reviews -General

I found Naxos to be total contrast to its high-profile neighbor Mykonos which has been swallowed up by high-class tourism and the big bucks that come with it. I really enjoyed my trip to Naxos and I consider it an alternative destination since then. Olive and fruit orchards, verdant fields, long sandy beaches and fishing hamlets which have retained their island traditions, appealed to my aesthetic sense much more than night clubs with blaring music and the opportunity to hobnob with the rich and famous of the world. Unlike many other islands I visited, Naxos is perhaps one of the greenest in the Cyclades with high mountains and lush green valleys, many of which are waiting to be discovered. The main occupation of the island is agriculture, and so far the islanders seem to be quite content with its rich farming traditions.

On my walks over hillocks, valleys and meadows, I saw some of the most beautiful sights that will probably be etched in my memory for ever. Small villages clinging to mountainsides, where people wear traditional clothes and tend to their fields and herds of goats, marble quarries and ruins of ancient temples, and the deep blue waters of the Aegean can have a profound effect on visitors. And if you are one of those history buffs, Naxos can be quite engaging. Inhabited since the 4th millenium BC, the island has proved to be a veritable treasure house of ancient buildings, as well as artifacts, many of which can be viewed at the local archaeological museum. I came home with replicas of many of the artifacts that are sold in the small shops around the museum along with some great memories of a holiday well spent. As for beaches, for God's shake, do not stick to the popular beaches close to Chora. Head to the south and discover beautiful places like Mikri Vigla, Sahara, Kastraki, Pyrgaki and some many small coves.