The British newspaper The Sun introduced tourists to a secret island in the Mediterranean, where prices are lower than those of the main competitors, and recreation is better. As the publication’s experts assure, the Greek island of Naxos “collected all the best bits of the Greek islands” – the island has everything to enchant even an experienced traveler, and there are few tourists, and the prices are meager.
And then the publication’s experts describe this “everything” based on their personal experience: according to them, the island is known for having one of the best sandy beaches in the Mediterranean, and it can offer tourists the entire range – sea, educational, gastronomic and other excursions, beach bars and night clubs… however, at the same time, the island “remains self-sufficient in terms of agriculture” and, according to experts, “successfully resisted” mass tourism until the 80s, betting on agriculture, and still maintains authenticity and the absence of tourist crowds, which is also reflected in prices. Naxos is “much more luxurious” than the other islands – primarily Mykonos and Santorini, which are part of the same Cyclades archipelago and from which daily ferries leave for Naxos.
“20 thousand local island inhabitants and about four times as many goats. Here, shepherds still roam the mountain paths, where tourists also wear out their hiking boots. And the boats for one-day excursions are moored next to the fishermen unloading their catch,” says the publication’s expert. And with the “showcase beaches,” he says, there are “endless tiny, secret beaches, many of which can only be reached by off-road jeeps, on foot, or by boat.” On one such excursion, the expert was shown a small pebble beach on the nearby islet of Kato Koufonissi, where tourists went snorkeling, as well as the tiny chapel of Agios Sozon, which can also be accessed only from the water – according to legend, it was built by shipwrecked merchants as a thank you for having survived, and the walls of the chapel are made of clay mixed with the wine brought by the merchants.
Also, no boat trip is complete without a beautiful cave, such as Rina’s Cave with its “green” glowing water, hidden under a wild hillside and “keeping pirate secrets”. At the same time, such a full-day excursion on a sailing boat costs 70 pounds per person – writes a British expert – that is, a little more than 3 thousand hryvnias. “But it will be the highlight of your vacation,” the expert adds, also noting that the itinerary includes a barbecue lunch and “unlimited free wine.”
However, the expert adds, in general, if there is a desire to save, there is no need to go to sea, because there are many more accessible beaches that can be enjoyed from land. The island’s main town, ancient Chora – “a wonderland of traditional streets, bars, and restaurants that also knows how to party big at The Ocean Club – and neighbors the wide, golden sand beach of St George’s Bay”. “A short bus ride down the coast and other perfect sandy beaches await – naturist Maragas, wild Plaka, and Agia Anna, where the beach bars come alive in the summer and cool in September and October, and the family-run Gorgonu Tavern serves calamari and small, freshly caught fish,” continues the expert.
As for hotels, the two he reviewed – the adults-only Princess Mare and the family-run Astir Pool Hotel – are family-run and recently renovated. For a double room with breakfast, tourists paid 65 pounds at Princess Mare and 80 pounds at Astir (that is, from 2,300 to 3,200 hryvnias). In season, prices are slightly higher, the Briton adds, but still less than competitors.
He also advises tour programs around the island, which include the Temple of Demeter, carved from local marble, dating back to 580 BC. an ancient mathematician whom everyone remembers from geometry lessons. The special feature of the bowl is that it has a hole in it that drains your wine if you are too greedy to top it up. Tourists will also be shown the “oldest olive tree in the world”, approximately 5000 years old, a traditional family olive press and mountain villages – Halki with a distillery and church frescoes, the marble village of Apirantos and Filoti.
He warns gastronomy lovers that the food on Naxos is very diverse, and restaurants can be found for any budget. They “feasted like Greek gods” for about 50 pounds per dinner. “Home-made taramasalata, Greek salad with mountain herbs or rustic potato salad with capers often drove us crazy even before the main courses of local pork, lamb or beef were brought,” – assured the British expert.