Sifnos Island
We discovered the joy of visiting Greece late in the season today, as we explored the small Cycladic island of Sifnos. Arriving in the principal port of Kamares just after sunrise, we found a sleepy Greek village slowly waking up. After breakfast, we boarded our coach, and set off on a drive around the island.
Our first stop was Kastro, the ancient acropolis, on top of which the Venetian town was later constructed. In medieval times, the labyrinthine alleyways and hidden gates of the “castle” provided safety from pirate raids. Today, they provide shade for residents, and countless photo opportunities for visitors. We toured the inner alleys and the peripheral path with the gorgeous views, before relaxing with a fresh squeezed orange juice or a “freddo cappuccino” at the local café.
Mid-morning, we returned halfway across the island, to the twin towns of Artemonas and Apollonia. Most guests chose to walk from the upper village to the lower, while others opted to skip the walk and return to the port a bit early.
We remained at the dock into the early afternoon, so many folks decided to head to the public beach for a quick swim after lunch.
Mid-afternoon, as the breeze freshened, we cast lines and set sail to the southwest. We had a perfect angle on the wind, so we were able to hoist the sails and turn off the engines for several hours.
Late in the afternoon, our guides Sophia and Effie spoke to us about the history of Greece, and the Cyclades in particular. In the early evening, just before sunset, we sailed into the caldera of Milos Island. The light was gorgeous on a flat calm sea, making a perfect photo opportunity.
After dinner, most of us opted to stroll the waterfront of this very typical Cycladic island town, finding locals fishing off the pier on our way to the taverna or the gelato shop. We heard no English spoken, and truly enjoyed this “authentic” Greece, off the beaten path and in the late season.
