Today the island continues to welcome the rich and famous to its shores. Recent visitors include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey, Nicole Sherzinger, Gerard Butler, Usain Bolt and Kate Moss to name but a few.

Mykonos’ party scene is legendary thanks to its numerous cocktail bars and nightclubs. But as I was told ‘the windy island’ of Mykonos is an island of contrasts and there is so much more than just the party scene on offer. 

One of the most picturesque areas of Mykonos town is ‘Little Venice’. The homes of the fishermen have been converted into bars and restaurants and their colourful balconies over the water are the perfect location to sit and enjoy a drink and the sunset.

One of the most iconic images of Mykonos is the number of private family chapels located in the town and across the island. The whitewashed buildings have been named by the Ministry of Culture as protected historical monuments.The chapels were originally built as a tribute for the safe return for the island’s many sailors and fishermen. Today there are said to be close to 500 on the island and house the remains of family members and are also used for religious celebrations.

Today the baker is George and his family has run the bakery for the past 200 years. All of the delicious sweet and savoury treats on sale are made using local ingredients and baked in the wood oven. The bakery acts as a recycling centre for wood that is no longer required by the islanders - TLTB saw an old wooden chair being prepped for the fire. 

A 30 minute boat journey from the harbour is like taking a ‘time machine’ back thousands of years.  The island is regarded as Greece’s most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites. The island and its museum features art, statues and mosaics from different periods and eras  since 3rd millennium BC Wandering the quiet ruins and hearing only the wind blowing though the pillars, houses, theatre and temples, Delos seems like a world away from the bustle of busy Chora.

When he died such was the loss, that a replacement Pétros was found and still today his successor wanders around the island being photographed by tourists.When taking a walk around the Mykonos harbour, which was made famous in the movie Shirley Valentine, tourists might spot the island’s most famous resident – Pétros the Pelican. The official mascot of the island has become somewhat of a celebrity since he was found by a fisherman following a storm in 1954. The wounded bird was nursed back to health and he soon made the Greek island his new home. So famous was Pétros that he met Jackie Kennedy and she donated another Pelican, Irene to the island as a companion.

Luxury Link: www.visitgreece.gr/en , www.mykonos.gr

Sarah Bryans 15/10/17