My Favorite Greek Isle

Mykonos may be one of the smallest of the Greek isles but its legends are larger than life.  According to Greek mythology, it was here that Hercules slew the giants.

Mykonos is my favorite Greek Island.  It is a cosmopolitan island with magnificent beaches, which draw masses of tourists each year to its clear blue waters and seaside tavernas.  Chic and stylish beaches include Agios Ioannis and Ornos, located in the southwest corner of the island.

The island village of Ano Mera houses the 16th century Panagia Tourliani Monastery.  The ornate monastery has post-Byzantine icons and an impressive marble tower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The peaceful town square is the perfect spot for a Greek appetizer and a glass of ouzo, the anise-flavored apertif.

Mykonos Town has winding alleys and whitewashed houses.  It’s a terrific place to just get lost, traversing those alleys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The patio of Familia Taverna is a pretty and tasty location for lunch.

Little Venice has houses literally suspended over the sea.

The Sun Set is a wonderful place to have mussels swimming in tomato sauce, along with a Greek beer; the island is known for its delicious tomatoes.

A series of snow-white windmills remind me of The Man of La Mancha.  Only one works these days but they look cool!

This island is not to be missed!

A French Wonder

Mont-Saint-Michel, one of France’s most recognizable landmarks, is visited by more than 3 million people each year.  The giant rock standing strong in the middle of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay is a sight to behold!

 

It’s not just a church on a rock; it’s a whole medieval city between the ramparts, with steep, cobblestone streets.  It used to be a center of pilgrimage for medieval travelers.  It was also a great fortress during the Middle Ages and once served as a prison.  It was even a battlefield during the Hundred Years War.  The Monks were expelled during the French Revolution and didn’t return until the 19th Century.  It was one of the first monuments to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This remarkable medieval walled city, crowned by its great Gothic abbey, is surrounded by sand and sea.  At low tide, it’s a tidal island, surrounded by sand.  As the high tide slowly rolls in, it becomes an island.  The tides can vary greatly, sometimes 46 feet between high and low water marks, making it quite dangerous to walk the flats.  You can, however, take a tour, with an officially trained guide, on foot or on horseback.

The salt marsh meadows that have resulted from flooding are ideal for raising sheep, and you will see many grazing the area.

There is now a bridge, linking Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.  You can either take a short walk or ride an official bus to reach it.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to visit–don’t miss it!