There are many ways to get to the island of Mykonos. Getting there by air is also possible if coming from the Greek mainland. Mykonos has its own airport and there are flights to the island regularly by way or either Athens or Thessaloniki.  At the height of the summer season when the greatest number of tourists arrive to take part in the excitement of Mykonos, there are also charter flights available coming from various European routes.

The other means of getting to the island of Mykonos is by sea. There are two choices available for tourists who wish to get to the island by sea. They can either go for the regular ferry that can carry even rental cars as well as buses. But this might be choosing a longer trip as the voyage may take three and a half hours to get to Mykonos. There are also the faster high speed catamarans that serve daily from terminals in Piraeus and Paros, similar with the bigger ferries.

While on the island of Mykonos, there are many ways to get around and explore the island. The island operates an extensive bus network that can take the tourist from almost any point in the island. For the more adventurous spirits, there are also scooters as well as ATV’s available on the island to get to places one wishes without having to stick to schedules. For convenience, there are also taxis that go around the island to serve tourists if the need for them arises.

There are many attractions and places of interests all around the island. The windmills in Mykonos are considered landmarks and should be worth seeing. There is also an area in the city of Mykonos called Little Venice which has become famous for its wonderful balconies. The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos offers tourists a glimpse of the island’s past through the relics found there. There are also artists who live in Mykonos whose works may also be worth taking a look at.

But what really most tourists look forward to when going to this wonderful island is heading to the popular beaches of Mykonos. There are a lot that tourists can choose from. Agios Ioannis Beach is a small enclave of a beach that offers a fantastic opportunity for snorkeling and exploring underwater sea life. It is one of the beaches in Mykonos that rarely gets crowded since it is not one of those commercialized beaches found somewhere else on the island.

For beaches known for the excitement brought by the crowds, one choice would be Paradise Beach. It is a crowded beach usually for tourists under 30 years old. The beach contains large pebbly sand that is convenient to go to especially on windy days. Other choices for a complete Mykonos Greece vacation include Psarou Beach, Elia Beach, Paranga Beach and Ornos Beach.

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During the day, there are plenty of activities to partake in. The best advice I can give any visitors as far as booking trips is to haggle, especially if you are in a large group. With so many companies pushing the same packages, they need you more than you need them. This is especially true of 18–30 reps, who will try to blindside you with boundless enthusiasm and a sales pitch pitted with banter-fuelled phrases when it is, in fact, often cheaper to book day trips through independent companies. In the end, we booked two trips, one to the Water Village with 18–30, and one boat trip we booked separately, both very enjoyable. The three-hour trip on a glass-bottomed boat which included spotting for logger head turtles, or caretta-carettas, a staple of Zakynthian waters, and a trip to the Marathonisi caves and turtle island was particularly worthwhile. Other activities range from jeep safaris, horse riding and renting quad bikes, although I’d strongly recommend against the bikes.

However, this is all really just filler for the night-time entertainment. Awash with restaurants, bars and clubs, the strip becomes a magnet for Zante’s young party crowd when the sun goes down. This is the Las Vegas of Laganas, where the colours are unnaturally vivid and the bars and restaurants appear to have one motto-everything they have is bigger and better than everywhere else and they will work hard to persuade you of this fact. Most restaurants offer a 10% discount or free wine, and the standard offer in the bars is 2 cocktails and 2 shots for 5 Euros. Food in Laganas is variable. Authenticity may be difficult to find, but lack thereof is made up for in vivacity and good value for money. Our restaurants of choice were Pythari and Ionian Sea, both of which serve Greek food at a good price. After dinner, it is preferable to indulge in some cheap cocktails instead of grappling with clubs drink prices. Niko’s Cocktail bar and Chevy’s, which is done out like an American ice-cream parlour where you can get such saccharine shots as Mars Bar and Skittles vodka, both contain the right balance of atmosphere and liveliness, and Cocktail and Dreams is also worth a visit, both for cocktails and for dancing.

The clubs in Laganas are wide ranging and you could easily club-hop every night, and still have some to spare. The best clubs are down near the beach, and the scene is flamboyant and vibrant, with plenty for the extroverted karaoke singer or dancer on bars to enjoy. The big clubs cater for the hardcore clubbers, with HedKandi every Saturday at Plus, and also Dave Pearce’s Trance Anthems at Rescue whilst we were there. Rescue became a favourite of ours, where up to date music is played whilst still staying thankfully devoid of thumping dance remixes. This is also the club where the best 18–30 night, Anthems is carried out, where the best summer anthems from the past 15 years are played. The 18–30 events also offer either 2 hours of free or discounted bar, important for those on a budget.

Overall, while Laganas may not be for everybody, it delivers its essential elements of sun, clubbing and adventure for its market of young revellers very well — and there are plenty of us to appreciate it.

So will recommendations made by the Lonely Planet, a book more important that a clean pair of pants whilst travelling. Swatting up and having a rough idea of some islands you would like to visit is great, but so is being flexible.…

Paros is an island right in the heart of the Cyclades, and so the theory was to do one long journey first (4hrs30mins) and free ourselves up for shorter ones in the following weeks to come. Once on Paros, other islands were a stone’s throw away. Paros is neighboured by Naxos, the largest island of the Cycladic Islands. However, Paros is still regarded by backpackers and professional travellers as the better of the two. The little airport means that Paros hasn’t had to cater to large groups of tourists and 18–30 year olds on corresponding holidays, so it is much more authentic. It is not exactly as lush and green as say, Amorgos but approaching it via the port Parikia, the skyline is littered with Greece’s traditional bright, white buildings and blue roofs.

Upon arriving we were quite unprepared for the onslaught of hostel, hotel and campsite promoters and so pushed through them like robots, refusing all. However, this barrage of sweaty Greek men is a prime time to get your accommodation sorted. These guys will drive you to your abode straight from the port meaning you can unstrap your backpack (otherwise known as that pain and strain in your ass) and explore the island back-sweat free.

The key word here is haggle. It is the Marrakech of sleeping arrangements and so don’t take their first offer. Another couple of islands and Becky and I had become season pros at this.

Our first stop was a pharmacy to get Becky some form of medication for her worsening case of tonsillitis. The thinking was that they sell antibiotics over the counter in Spain, so why not here? An odd game of charades ensued whereby I pointed down Becky’s neck and made a face and she clutched her throat and gurgled. We were presented with a throat spray and sent on our way.

After a spattered barter with an English guy still loitering around the port, we agreed on a price to stay in his camping spot on the southern side of the island. After bundling ourselves into his scorching hot truck, our driver gave us an animated tour pointing out that there are two halves to Paros: the more secluded side (our present destination) and Naoussa, where nightlife resided, at which point he wiggled in his chair to demonstrate “nightlife”. We understood much better after that.

The southerly beach is known as “The Golden Beach”: clean, white sand, crystal clear sea and chilled-out, generic music coming from the bar up the beach, straw umbrellas and lots of Armani and Cavalli wearers sauntering about the place. There wasn’t a wibbly-wobbly, cap wearing, sunburnt Brit insight…apart from us obviously. Two days of this coupled with incessant spraying and Becky was almost cured, and I was craving something else to do but sunbathe. Relaxing and peaceful as it was, out of season if you are not an avid sun-worshipper, restlessness will kick in down South. On our third day we travelled over to Naoussa to see what we could see.

It felt like we’d entered back into civilisation after being at some kind of retreat. Here there certainly were Brits to be found. The beaches aren’t quite as nice however, there is far more to do, be it water sports, eating in a different place every day, sitting in a swing chair on the balcony of a bar watching the sun set or just plain people watching.

More trinkets and junk than in an episode of Bargain Hunt can be found in the stalls and markets along the seafront, broken up by the divine smell of garlic, butter and all manner of seafood. All the while, Becky and I had found it quite hard not to quote and draw references to Shirley Valentine and so on our last night in Paros, we asked the waiter if we could move our table to the edge of the sea and feel the cool waves lapping at our feet. He said no. So we settled for sharing olives, bread, Greek salad a bottle of deliciously cheap white wine on the sea front under a string of fairy lights and overlooking the bobbing boats.

On our way back to the campsite, we met a German boy (I say boy, he was 18 but looked 5) called Malta who consequently we would then meet up with on the boat to Ios the following morning and spend the next five days with. After a few drinks, Malta promptly divulged that the owners of the campsite had been placing bets as to whether Becky and I were lesbians or not. The next day we both wore dresses and mascara.

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If you’re looking for fun in the summer. Then Paradise and Super Paradise beach on the Island of Mykonos is probable the best place to go. Located next to a campsite within yards of the beach this hedonistic enclave has a reputation for partying. If you’ve arrived in Mykonos port you can take a local bus to ‘Platys Glalos’ in the south then hop on a tourist caique that will take you around the headland directly onto Paradise beach.  The campsite is behind amongst the trees.

Where to stay: Everyone that parties tend to use the campsite (But don’t expect much sleep at the height of the season) its party, party remember… That said the music tends to liven up in the evening after the days heat has gone and the mornings are fairly quiet. Paradise Beach Campsite is directly behind and has plenty of shade. Backpackers pitch their tents amongst the trees to avoid the heat of the day. Hammocks and makeshift washing-lines are all over.

The facilities: Are very good. Plenty of communal showers and washing facilities. There are rented lockers built into concrete walls with electricity to charge up your devices. (Great idea!) They also do Tours around the island. The are plenty of adverts all over offering, Sailing, Scuba-diving, Booz Cruise and anything else you can think off and more.

I was there early May ’08 and the season was just getting started, even then there were plenty of American students about. This is truly an international beach with European, Scandinavian and every other nationality represented too. I had visions of it been tacky but actually it’s a well organised slick operation that is run efficiently and friendly the results produced a regular following of people that come back year after year to break the shackles of the 9 – 5 grind. The atmosphere is friendly, not cynical or clicky, new faces are welcome…

If you’re young at heart… Like to party… Can control your drink… and switched on to your surroundings then Paradise Beach is for you… Oh and take a friend.

Paradise Beach Camping
Telephone 0030 22890–22129 (Summer)
paradise@paradise.myk.forthnet.gr

Paradice Beach Webcam

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One of the best locations to discover crazy party islands is in the country of Greece. People flock to the country for its cool weather, stunning beaches, and great parties. The top two places to party are Ios and Corfu. Corfu is located on the west coast of Greece. There are regular beach parties at the famed Atlantis nightclub and vacationers all seem to stay at the notorious Pink Palace hostel. During the day, people soak up the warm Mediterranean sun and then party all night long.

Ios has a lot of young tourists looking for one thing: party. Ios is not only a party island but it is also beautiful and filled with culture (Homer was from here!). The island has a lot of great beaches with clear blue water. At night, everyone comes out for some great seafood and Greek dining before spending the evening doing body shots of each other and waking up on the beach. Most party goers end up staying out until sun rise and sleep it off while getting a tan during the day. This is an island for the night owl.

Leave Europe and go to Southeast Asia for the two islands of Bali and Ko Phangan. Ko Phangan is the worlds premiere party destination. This island is well known to all travelers. It hosts the famous Full Moon Party every month, when 20,000 or more people descend on Haat Rin beach to consume large quantities of alcohol and dance until dawn. All the partying happens on Haat Rin beach and every night, the beach fills up with crowds of revelers looking to just have a good time. There is always an excuse to party, whether it is a Full Moon, Half Moon, or Black Moon party. After a few of the islands famous alcohol buckets, you wont care what party you are at.

Bali might be famous worldwide but Ko Phangan is the worlds premiere party destination. This island is well known to all travelers. It hosts the famous Full Moon Party every month, when 20,000 or more people descend on Haat Rin beach to consume large quantities of alcohol and dance until dawn. All the partying happens on Haat Rin beach and every night, the beach fills up with crowds of revelers looking to just have a good time. There is always an excuse to party, whether it is a Full Moon, Half Moon, or Black Moon party. After a few of the islands famous alcohol buckets, you wont care what party you are at.

No matter where you desire to go in the world, there is a location that is perfect for you. From Europe to Asia to the Pacific, youll find what you are looking for and will be partying and getting a tan quicker than you can imagine

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Yannis shack; of bamboo, elephant grass and driftwood is situated on Myrtiotissa beach on the west coast of Corfu. Myrtiotissa beach is not easy to find a driftwood sign nailed to an olive tree was my only clue. Walking down a dirt track meandering between the olive trees I found myself standing on a cliff overlooking a tranquil bay. Fresh water from the 200ft cliffs trickled over the rocks and down onto the beach below. Looking out to the west I could see a clear blue horizon Italy being 70 miles away. Myrtiotissa beach lacks the commercialization found on Corfu’s other beaches its isolated location means a walk of at least half an hour is needed to get down to the beach. However commerce is vibrant, its northern end is for clothed or partially clothed sun seekers but its southern end is where the backpackers, travellers and the islands gypsy minded residents reside. A hippy persona emanates everywhere. Artists selling their paintings, jewellery and friendship bands sit naked in the sand sheltering from the sun. Everyone is brown, a procession of bathers walk from the mirror sea to the fresh water shower flowing from the cliff onto the beach. Many using olive oil to enhance their tan whilst others play beach ball in their birthday suits.

As unspoilt beaches go, Myrtiotissa beach is hard to beat. Sheltered on three sides by vertical cliffs with a snake path that no vehicle can follow, its fine sandy beach gently slops into the sea. Standing at the waters edge toes disappearing into the sand I find Joanne (Yannis wife and rival to Ursula Andress in Dr No’) back from her afternoon diving adventure displaying a pile of black urchins glistening in the sun, a real pain if you stand on one and Joanna’s self-appointed mission to rid these pests from the beach. Opening one Joanna shows me the orange food inside then eats it raw passing some to me. Tasting similar to mussels I was pleasantly surprised.

Brown bodies abound I could still distinguish between Germans, Scandinavian and Brits. The Italians are a category apart; cultural backgrounds can manifest themselves even on a nudist beach. Fashion conscious Italians, beer swilling Scandinavians, territorial Germans and lobster coloured Brits can be distinguished with ease. Yet the difference between the residents and hardcore travellers was harder to judge. ‘The best time to get to know who’s who is in the evening” says Joanna. “As quite a few sleep on the beach overnight.”

As the sun gets low in the sky the day visitors begin to leave, a precession of coloured garments snake there way slowly up the winding path and disappear from view. “Quality time” as Joanna described it, starts about now.

Ambling along the waters edge, wearing a sarong in ‘Beckham style’ I stumble into the travellers’ encampment hidden from view of the main beach. Attracted by the aroma of grilled fish, life here looked primitive, yet I could see there were plenty that had chosen to camp on the beach for weeks. Familiar faces sitting in the shade only hours before were grouped around a campfire. Rhythms of ‘Cat Stevens’ strummed on a guitar mingle with the evening heat. Sleeping bags arranged in groups, logs arranged around the campfire all were changed and ready for the evening to come. At such a perfect moment it seemed a shame to leave.

Getting there from Corfu Town & airport.
Myrtiotissa beach is 15km west of Corfu town. Take the Glyfada (Via Vatos) green/cream bus (45mins) from the New Port central bus station in Corfu Town and ask for Myrtiotissa beach bus stop (40 mins), you will be dropped of by the side of a road next to an Olive grove with a dirt track. Follow the signs to the beach (The last bus back to Corfu town is 20:30). If you take a car make sure you park in the parking place half way down the dirt track in the olive grove. Beyond the parking area the dirt road becomes really steep a 1in3 incline. Taxis direct from the airport can cost up to 40 euros so ask the price first and then haggle. The Green Bus station from the airport is 4 km so a local bus to the bus station is needed.

Sleeping on the beach…
In Greece, it’s illegal to camp on a beach as there is no revenue earned through its tourism, at Myrtiotissa those that chose to sleep overnight on the beach take their tents down during the day and only put them back up in the dark, others just have their sleeping bags and netting. Myrtiotissa’s isolated location makes the policing of unofficial campers, difficult. As long as no tents are seen it’s possible to become one with the beach and the sea without paying for any accommodation.

Accommodation…
Panorama rooms. Are located in an olive grove at the top of the cliff, overlooking the sea and a 5-minute walk from Myrtiotissa beach. The accommodation is private but you share the communal showers and kitchen. On the main road 300 yards north/south of the bus stop are a lot of apartments to rent. Villa Myrto, Villa Natassa and Villa Capella are only just a few of them. They offer average to high standards.
http://www.panorama-rooms.gr
panoramarooms@yahoo.gr

Vatos Camping is a 30 min walk from the beach and on the outskirts of Vatos village. (The same Corfu-Glyfada bus takes you there) They provide free regular coach transport to Glyfada beach stopping at Myrtiotissa from their campsite.
Tel 0030 26610 94503

Eating out & nightlife…
Mythos bar, Labis bar, Spiros 97 are all within a 30 min walk from the beach and are located in and around Vatos village. There is a local disco ‘Pam Pam’ (Operated by Vatos camping) that opens from July.

Myrtiotissa beach information guide http://www.mirtiotissa.com/

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