Greek Isles 2: Milos & Santorini

Milos is an island in the Aegean which boasts more than 70 unique beaches, some with the softest white sand and others with rocky outcrops from which to dive into the inviting sea. One beach even possesses a lunar-like surface called Sarakiniko. Although the beaches are beautiful, they are often overshadowed by the island's most famous beauty, the Venus de Milo,  discovered in the recess of a wall by a French amateur archaeologist in 1820. While she now resides in the Louvre museum in Paris, it is still interesting to search for site where she was first discovered all those years ago which lies somewhere near the Hellenic amphitheater of Milos. 

Tsigrado Beach, Milos. Accessible only by rope and ladder. 

Firiplaka Beach, Milos

Our hideaway on Milos was called Skinopi Lodge   a cluster of stone cottages sitting on a golden hillock overlooking a tiny fishing village. We liked to trek down the path to the sea below for a morning dip while watching the local fishermen emerge from their syrma, a two-level structure built at water-level and backed up into the rocky outcrop.  After a day of beach-hopping, we would pick up some provisions to dine al fresco at the lodge and watch the sail boats lazily drift by, culminating in dramatic sunsets with Greek wine in-hand.

Skinopi Lodge blends into its surroundings.

While we chose to dine most nights at the lodge, we did have some wonderful lunches around the island, including a sea-side taverna called the Medusa at Mandrakia where fresh fish was the order of the day.  After our brief stay on the island we caught a catamaran to Santorini to spend one last night in Greece before flying home to Paris. We chose to stay in Oia as we both really wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  While theres no denying that the tiny village of Oia is pretty, it was no surprise that after spending time on smaller, less visited islands, Santorini was a bit of a shock.  Its popularity is visible at all times and had us longing for the peacefulness of Sifnos and Milos.  I can't wait to return to explore the rest of the Greek islands someday... Efcharistó Greece!

Pezoules Hotel, Oia