Page 30 - Flipbook

Santorini: (Above) Romantic settings await from every rooftop. (Top left) Magical Santorini sunset's at Firostefani.
santorini
Think of Greece and the picture-postcard image that most likely springs to mind is of Santorini – whitewashed houses against a blue sky and sparkling iridescent sea. It’s the most photographed of all the Greek Islands and as a result very popular, particularly with wealthier tourists.
Santorini is actually a vast volcano caldera, with the town perched on the cliffs of the volcano wall above a dazzling blue lagoon. The sunsets here are famous and best viewed from one of the many restaurants that line the caldera rim.
Walk along the caldera rim from Oia to Fira, the main town, stopping along the way to climb up to the ruins of an ancient monastery, which offers some of the best views over the Cyclades.
Sign up to one of the many sailing trips or scuba diving courses on offer and be sure to visit Akrotiri, a 3500-year-old town preserved in ash, much like Pompeii. A stroll around the grounds gives a fascinating insight into what it must have been like to live in ancient Greece.
For a romantic candlelit dinner, try Metaxi Mas, where local food is served on a balcony overlooking the sea. Alternatively, dine at Toseraki, which is situated away from the madding crowd in the small port town of Vlychada. This traditional tavern offers excellent seafood and fantastic service.
Cyprus: Stunning emerald green water and rock arch formation on Cyprus island.
CYPrus
Cyprus’s rich and fertile lands have been fought over for centuries, resulting in a mishmash of beautiful architecture. Today the country, said to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, remains split, with Turkey occupying the north and Greece the south.
While many of the towns in Cyprus have been overrun
by developers and have as a result garnered a reputation
as package holiday hell (you’re best off steering clear of
Ayia Napa), there are plenty of quieter areas that are well worth exploring.
Cyprus still retains kilometres of unspoiled coastline, all open to discovery if you hire a 4x4 and hit the road. The beaches in Cyprus are beautiful, particularly those of the Karpass Peninsula.
For a taste of Ancient Greece, head to the small villages around Akamas or explore the beautiful city of Nicosia surrounded by 16th century Venetian walls, where elements of empires stretching back to Neolithic times can be seen.
After a day exploring Nicosia, you might enjoy spending a few hours unwinding in the Hamam Omerye, a traditional Turkish bath housed in a 14th century restored building.
If you prefer more action, hike the many beautiful trails of the Troodos Mountains, stopping for lunch and a glass of local wine in a traditional taverna.
Why not scramble over the ruins of Ancient Kourion an archaeological site, or the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos? If you like your history more modern, there’s always the medieval castle in Limassol to explore as well.
Foodies should head to Zanettos Taverna (South Nicosia); it’s the best place to sample mezze. It’s hidden away and hard to find, but worth the trouble. In Paphos, the number-one tavern is 7 St Georges, where everything on the menu comes from the owner’s garden.
28 AUTUMN 2013
Prices are in AUD unless otherwise, stated.