Friday 12 November 2021

Naxos

 The greek island of Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades, a group in the southern Aegean .  It's known, around here, for it's potatoes, easter goats and lambs (ready for the spit) and it's cheeses.






I noticed, a few years ago, that temperatures on Naxos were some of the lowest in the summer and the highest in the winter.  I see the tourist blurb promotes its mild winters and cooler summers.  They are right.  If I had a choice I'd move down there right now.  I'd live on local potatoes and sample all their cheeses, bask in the warm winter sun and spend the summer reading under the shade of my, one, olive tree.  Don't want to overwork myself.  One olive tree will do the trick.


My last posts complaining about grey skies and foggy mornings reminded me of Naxos.  So go and visit when you're here.  Arrange a rental car when you book your hotel and go and see the sites.  I'm sure you won't regret it.  Eat lots of roast lamb, fried potatoes and nibble on cheese with their delightful local wine.


I've only been to Naxos once, in 1980, with my brother and wife.  Both she and I were pregnant with our first children.  Back then we stayed at a pension.  A room with a bed,  toilet and shower down the hall.  No aircondition or even a fan but with the mild summers I'm sure we didn't need either.  All I remember is being accosted as we got off the ferry by someone touting his rooms, normal back then before Hotel.com and tripadviser.   We followed along after him and they were quite close so there we stayed.  We wandered around the town, ate at a taverna overlooking the main drag where we could watch all the Naxos beauties pass by on their perantzatha (evening walk) and swam at the sandy beach near town.


It's a big island, a lot to see but you need transport.  There are little villages, monasteries and Venetian castles.  At the entrance to the port is a small island called Portara, the gate, and there stands an ancient marble gate.  



The ancient gate from a Temple to Apollo
dates back to the 6th Century BC


22 comments:

  1. Another one to add to my wish list.

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    1. There are fast ferries now and they have an airport. The best of the cyclades

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  2. WOW, what a picture that ancient gate presents!

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  3. Sounds like a great place to visit, and one I might never want to leave! The gate is a wonderful reminder of ancient builders and the beauty of their creations!

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    1. You've got to put it on your bucket list. I'd like to visit again too

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  4. That does it - F and I are moving there to 'work from home' next summer.

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    1. I watch their temperatures on the daily forecast. They really do have the best climate. And those cheeses!

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  5. That gate photo is stunning. You should put it in a frame. I would love to visit Naxos,

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  6. Greece is such a beautiful country - I enjoy hearing about all the different places :)

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    1. I should write a few more travel posts. We have lived on Crete as well and another island

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  7. I'm like you, I"m not a fan of hot heat, I'd rather have those cooler temperatures too. We nearly have Summer here, I'm not looking forward to it.

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    1. It's those cooler summer temps I notice most. They don't seem to have the severe heatwaves that we do

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  8. Sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy a holiday
    Eat drink and be merry I say

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  9. Sounds like paradise. A must see if I ever venture to the northern hemisphere again.

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    1. Not as crowded I think as some of the other Cycladic islands, like Santorini

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  10. Some friends of ours spent the early Autumn in Santorini, and what a stunning island it is. Their photos were spectacular, and not a single thing seemed out of place or unattractive. No doubt this means far too many tourists in Summer, but in Autumn it seemed perfect. I note that it is quite close to Naxos.

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    1. I think Santorini is crowded in the winter as well. It seems to be the most well known. They are both in the Cyclades group

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  11. We stayed there back in the early 80's, same deal as you, met off the ferry, small room, bathroom down the other end of the building. Loved the tavernas by the water and the beaches. Beautiful place to visit. I bet it has changed now.

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    1. Yes, I'm sure there will be boutique hotels with swimming pools and up market tavernas. Next time I would like to stick to the villages

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