Greek Table With a View

The Greek Islands of Mykonos and Santorini offer picturesque views and amazing atmosphere, which can be enjoyed with a cup of coffee and bouzouki music sitting at a 'Table With a View.'

Pictures below are from the Mykonos Island

Pictures below are from the Santorini Island

Greek Island: Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island characterized by dark rock; famous for whitewashed cubical houses set on the side towards the top with some blue roofs. Oia village is the oldest settlement on the island and the most picturesque.

The island has small but flourishing wine industry. The pride of the island is the sweet red wine called Vinsanto. The white wine is very dry.
Santorini cherry tomatoes are renowned. They are very sweet and tasty. Other agricultural products particular to the island are Santorini beans (fava), white eggplants, and large cucumber (katsouni).

You can take public transportation or walk your way up to the village. You may have to share the path with the donkeys. The path is visible in the picture above and below.

Santorini is one of the most romantic islands. Almost every table has a view. It's a perfect place to grab a table and relax with bouzoki music and a cup of coffee. (See 'Table With a View' for more pictures)

Greek Island: Mykonos

Mykonos is a Greek island, second in beauty to Santorini. Most of the inhabitants of Mykonos live in the largest town of Chora (below).

 

According to Greek mythology, Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titans. The island was named in honor of Mykons, son of Anios, who was son of Apollo (Zeus' son).

Tourism is a major industry. One of the landmarks of Mykonos is Little Venice (above). Here the buildings are right on the edge of sea with balconies overhanging the water.

 

 

One of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos are the windmills (above) from the 16th century.

The Church of Paraportiani (above) is one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece. Its name means inner or secondary door. The door to the medieval stone walls, which encircled the area.

Petros the pelican has been the official mascot of Mykonos for over 50 years. In 1958 a wounded pelican was found off the coast of Mykonos shore by a local fisherman. The pelican was nursed to health. However, it was hit by a car in 1985 and failed to recover. Three new pelicans reside on the island. One of them is carrying on the name of Petros.

The beautiful colors of Greece, white and blue.

The charming streets of Chora.

                        One of many churches along the breath-taking streets.

Greek Island: Patmos and its legend

Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is a popular tourist destination due to the John's Revelation. At the cave of Apocalypse (below) John supposedly received his Revelation. He received a vision from Jesus, which he recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John. One of them is the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (below). In 1088 Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos gave the island of Patmos to the soldier-priest John Christodoulos. The greater part of the monastery he completed in three years. He heavily fortified the exterior, because of the threats of piracy and Turks.

According to a legend from Greek mythology, the island's original name was Letois, after goddess Artemis. Mythology tells that the island of Patmos existed as an island at the bottom of the sea. Artemis frequently visited a shrine on Mount Latmos, which was located on the mainland across the shore from Patmos. There, she met with moon goddess Selene, who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos. Selene tried to bring the sunken island to the surface with the help of Artemis. Artemis persuaded her brother, Apollo, to convince their father, Zeus, to allow the island to arise from the sea. Zeus agreed and the island emerged from the water. The Sun dried up the land and brought the life to it. Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it Letois in honor of Artemis.

                                            Streets of Patmos

View of the bay

 

Windmills of Patmos