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Day 2, June 22 2013 - Saturday
See what we will do on Day 1 of this trip in our previous blog post here
Volcanic Milos is the most spectacular of the Cyclades islands, with mysterious rocks that resemble lunar landscapes, hot springs, white villages, vineyards and fields. In the Middle Ages it housed the largest pirate base. The goddess of beauty Venus who decorates walls of Louvre had been created here.
In Milos (area 151 sq km., 5.000 inhabitants) archaeologists discovered an unusual settlement of 2300 BC, the prosperity of which was associated with deposits of limestone. It is believed that now the largest city on the island, Plaka, stands on the site of the ancient acropolis that Dorians built between 1100 and 800 years BC. In the IV century BC it was colonized by the Athenians. Later the Romans came, then the Byzantines and the pirates. Venetian dynasty Krispy ruled the island until 1580, when the Turks captured Milos.
Milo's inner bay is the best harbor of the Mediterranean! After breakfast we will walk through the "lunar landscape" Sarakiniko created by a powerful underwater volcano 2.5 - 3 million years ago.
We will explore the catacombs of the early Christians. This monument is unique because you cannot find anything like this in Greece. Carved into the soft rock, 1,500 tombs connected network of corridors with a total length of 185 meters. According to archaeologists, there are remains of at least 8,000 people.
We will take hot thermal baths in the municipal baths and will visit the luxurious beach Langada. In Plaka you will have some free time.
In the afternoon you will return to the ship. Lunch will be on the ship and we will sail to the island of Folegandros (about 1.5 hours).
Folegandros is the smallest island of the Cyclades. A long time ago people ran here, people were in exile here, and now people come here for peace and relaxation. Photographers and filmmakers love the island for bare rocks, terraced fields and the stunning capital of Chora. The glory of the island was created by wilderness and nice beaches.
In the second half of the day we will arrive to the island of Folegandros (32 sq. km., 650 inhabitants), which got its name from the Phoenicians. When they came here they called it "rocky." But do not think that besides of the rocky plateau, there's nothing there. The island is covered with a variety of native vegetation, shrubs and grass, which are dominated by cumin.
The island's capital, Chora, is 300 meters above the sea. It is is divided into two parts: the Castro and "village" (chorus). Castro is dominated by XIII century Venetian fortress, built by the Duke of Naxos Marco Sanudo. In the area of Howrah life goes around small squares with the artisan, traditional tavernas and bars, souvenir shops. You will visit the Church of the Assumption and learn about the history of the miraculous icon in a silver frame, rescued from pirates. When walking around the island you will find why one of the walls of the temple is built of stones of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess of hunting Artemis.
In Folegandros you will see magnificent sunset! At night you can sit on the terrace of the restaurant with a glass of wine and admire the breathtaking sunset! You will enjoy seeing fantastic picture of sun disk immersing into a silver sea! And then there will be another miracle, the dark dense Mediterranean night with myriads of stars twinkling in the velvet sky. So it would seem that you will be able to reach nearby constellations! Dinner. Return to the ship. Then we will continue sailing to the island of Santorini (about 4 hours).
To be continued ...
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