| Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades the group | | | | They are found in the green fertile, valleys that are |
| of islands in the center of the Aegean. The island is | | | | sandwiched between the rugged, arid mountains. |
| eighteen miles in length and 12 miles wide and is oval | | | | Many of these are over 2000 feet high and the |
| in shape. | | | | highest, Mount Zeus is 3,200 feet. |
| It is also the most fertile, and this makes it one of | | | | Naxos enjoys the economic rewards of being a |
| the most beautiful. But it is the miles of unbroken | | | | tourist island but it does not depend on them for its |
| golden sandy beaches that attracts the majority of | | | | prosperity. A great deal of farming takes place in its |
| the thousands of summer tourists that flock to | | | | rich valleys and the cultivation of lemons is especially |
| Naxos every year. | | | | successful. In addition to lemons, Naxos produces |
| For the holidaymakers who can drag themselves | | | | cherries, pomegranates and other fresh fruit. It also |
| away from the glorious beaches, Naxos provides a | | | | produces olives, nuts and potatoes whilst its grapes |
| wealth of ancient Greek remains as well as plenty of | | | | make some of the best of Greek wines. |
| Byzantine and Venetian history. The island's capital, | | | | Naxos is deservedly popular with discerning tourists |
| also called Naxos, has a Venetian fortress as well as | | | | but unlike nearby Mykonos, it is not in danger of |
| an ancient Greek temple to Apollo. | | | | being turned into a mass tourism resort. What has |
| This temple is usually the first thing that a tourist | | | | saved it from doing so is its lack of an international |
| sees when visiting Naxos by ferry because it stands | | | | airport. There is however an excellent airport |
| proudly on the tip of the island, marking the way into | | | | providing domestic flights and some tourists, mainly |
| the busy ferry port. The temple dates back to 522 | | | | Greek holidaymakers, arrive in Naxos this way, flying |
| BC but its ruinous appearance is not because much | | | | from Athens. The majority of tourists arrive by ferry |
| of it has been lost to the passage of time, but rather | | | | however, and there is no better way to start a |
| because the ancients never finished building it. | | | | Greek island holiday than this. You can sail all the way |
| Naxos town is very picturesque port with a maze of | | | | from Athens but it will take at least six hours. Or you |
| whitewashed streets and alleyways, designed with | | | | can fly to Mykonos and get on a ferry that takes |
| the frequent invasions from Aegean pirates in mind. | | | | only two hours. Both options have their pros and |
| Its typically Cycladic architecture blends with the | | | | cons. We flew to Mykonos one year only to find all |
| Venetian and every turning invites the visitor to | | | | the ferries were booked. Another travel tip, |
| explore. | | | | whichever route you choose, is to be careful that |
| With such romantic charm and mystique, it is little | | | | you get off at the right island. The first time we |
| wonder that Naxos has long been popular with | | | | visited Naxos, we misheard a landing announcement |
| writers and artists. Lord Byron visited in his youth and | | | | and got off the ferry only to see a sign that read |
| never forgot the experience, referring to it in his | | | | 'Welcome to Paros'. Luckily, we had enough time to |
| writings as the 'Dream Island' and often saying that | | | | re-board and complete the remaining minutes of the |
| he would love to return some day. | | | | journey to neighboring Naxos. |
| Naxos has 41 villages and most are worth exploring. | | | | |