Villa Aithan

Villa Aithan enjoys a wonderful spot looking out to sea in the Kastraki area of Naxos, just south of Mikri Vigla. Within easy reach are the beaches of Kastraki, Parthena, Mikri Vigla, Plaka and Orkos. Kastraki Beach is absolutely fabulous with fine white glimmering sand, crystal clear water and a good array of tavernas with wonderful waterfront settings. It is quite secluded and fairly quiet. Mikri Vigla was named after the observatory at the top of the cape that was used to watch out between Naxos and Paros to protect the island and for following ships on the ancient trading route from Crete to Athens.

According to myth, the southern bay was a hideout for legendary pirates. The beach is a gift for watersports enthusiasts with its superb kite surfing school and perfect wind conditions. Plaka Beach is also another paradise beach for watersports fans. Aliko is a beautiful beach, backed by a cedar forest which has been declared a protected natural area. Further north, Agios Prokopios is delightful with watersports, refreshments and gorgeous sands. The tiny chapel dedicated to Saint Prokopios stands on the western side of the beach. Close by, you will find Agios Anna, a quieter version of Agios Prokopios and pink coloured salt lakes with many birds and other wildlife. Agios St George is on the edge of Naxos Town with its warm shallow water. On the east of the island, the small quaint harbour of Moutsouna is a great place to eat fresh fish and the coastal ride leads to Panermos Bay, a pristine, tranquil spot. There are lots of hidden beaches and the Rina sea cave.

The island of Naxos enjoys glorious, panoramic scenery, stunning views, endless sandy beaches, a lively main town, gorgeous mountain villages, a rich history and a superb dining scene where you will be served delicious local produce. It is said that Naxos is where Dionysus (the God of Wine) met and married Ariadne. The first Dionysus Festival was held on the island which later became famous for its exquisite marbles. Naxo’s beautiful marble,  emery mines, fertile land, its geographic location in the Aegean Sea, its pottery and its cuisine are some of the reasons for its stature in the Cycladic islands and its popularity.

Naxos Town is within easy reach of the villa. It is guarded by its Venetian castle and enjoys narrow, winding, cobbled streets, gleaming white architecture, ancient churches, antique shops, buzzy bars and wonderful restaurants. Marko Sanoudo II, the Venetian emperor invaded and conquered Naxos in 1207 and built the castle. It was the seat of power for the Cyclades islands for three hundred years. During the summer months, music festivals are held in the setting of the Kastro and painters and sculptors also hold exhibitions in the castle. Naxos’ Archaeological Museum is housed in the old Jesuit School of Commerce with a wonderful collection of old Cycladic art, white marble monuments and local ceramics. The great writer Nikos Kazantzakis attended the school and it is where he wrote ‘Zorba the Greek’. The car free old town is known as Kastro, located within the castle’s old Venetian walls and enjoying steep narrow lanes decorated with tumbling colourful bougainvillea, numerous churches and elegant Venetian mansions. The lanes from Kastro lead downhill to Bourgos which is where the Greeks lived during the years of Venetian occupation. The new town is situated next to the main port and with many of the town’s restaurants, bars and cafes. As soon as you enter the port of Naxos, you notice the ancient monument of Portara which means ‘Big door’ in Greek. The Portara is a centuries-old marble doorway built in 522BC as the entrance gateway to the unfinished Roman Temple dedicated to Apollo. It stands on a small islet and is an incredible Instagram worthy spot at sunset when the sky turns to orange and gold.

Naxos enjoys a fabulous reputation for its delicious cuisine. You will fall in love with the island’s local delicacies. The island is very fertile and almost self-sufficient. You will enjoy delicious vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish and alcoholic drinks. Must try dishes include pig rosto, pork stuffed with garlic and braised in wine, pork fricasses flavoured with the leaves of sea lavender and tasty cheeses including Graviera of Naxos, Arseniko and Xynotyro. The local dishes can be divided into three groups, the fish and seafood dishes of the coastal areas, the vegetable and beef dishes popular on the plains and usually made with homemade butter and the goat and lamb delicacies of the mountains, always cooked with plenty of local olive oil. There are excellent vineyards in the north of the island. The island’s special drink, Kitron, is wonderful, made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree. Visitors can enjoy cooking workshops as Vioma and visit and tour wineries such as the Saint Anna winery in the small village of Kato Potamia.

You mustn’t forget to explore the mountains and valleys of this lush island and the charming villages sprinkled around including Tripodes, Filoti, Halki and Apeiranthos. The picturesque village of Halki is utterly charming with neoclassical architecture, tiny alleys, bougainvillea, jasmine trees and charming shops. The marble village of Apiranthos should not be missed too. It is brilliantly well-preserved and is the highest village of the Cyclades. It is famous for its tavernas that serve the delicious local meat dishes. Not to be forgotten are the island’s major sites of the Demeter Temple. Kouros of Melanes, Kouros of Apollonas, Panagia Drossiani Church, the Monastery of Fotodotis and Kalamitsia Monastery. The oldest of the island’s churches is Panayia Vlacherniotissa which boasts a beautiful carved alter screen. Panayia Myrtidiotissa stands on a tiny islet in the port of Naxos and Theologaki is a tiny chapel in a cave.

Visitors to Naxos also enjoy taking trips on luxurious catamarans to find the island’s secluded and hidden beaches or sail to some of the small Cyclades. The boat trip to the island of Koufonisia takes just under two hours, a lovely experience with wonderful fresh fish lunches in the tavernas and secluded naturist beaches if that is your thing.

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