A Summer in Mykonos
A journey _ greek island
A summer in Mykonos
By Tala Habbal
The sun-drenched Greek island is sexy, stylish and seductive
All-night parties, scantily clad sun-kissed bodies and a “who needs sleep” attitude have made the tiny Greek island of Mykonos a favorite summer travel destination for the jet-setting, party-all-night elite. However, a recent first-time trip to the whitewashed, cosmopolitan island proved that there is much more to Mykonos than first meets the eye. As a self-proclaimed anti-clubber in need of rest and relaxation, I always wondered if Mykonos would be the right vacation destination for me. To my delight and surprise, the island took me under its spell from the moment I landed, and I learned that it was in fact the perfect blank canvas for any type of vacation one desires. Days start late (since parties go on until the
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sun comes up) and are spent lounging on the beach. My Mykonos-obsessed friends repeatedly recommended I visit Nammos, and upon setting foot on the white-sand beach located in Psarou, it was clear why. Think Nice meets Cannes meets Ibiza. This family-friendly, see-and-be-seen beach offers luxurious sunbeds, crystal-clear waters and a first-rate restaurant. Take a break from tanning and head to the restaurant to enjoy everything from fresh seafood to sushi, Greek delicacies and abundant amounts of wine, before returning to your beach bed to continue lounging around until sunset. One of the best things about Mykonos is its ability to be laid-back yet glamorous all at the same time, so heading to the island’s famous Caprice bar for sunset drinks in your
beach attire is encouraged. No need to waste precious island time changing into heels. And although clubbing wasn’t at the top of my list of things to do, I couldn’t help but stumble into Güzel, one of the hottest clubs on the island, after dinner, drinks and more drinks. The party starts at 3am as beautifully clad people saunter in and dance until the sun comes up. Most of the action is in and around the main town of Mykonos (also known as Chora), and since there are only 31 taxis on the bustling island, staying in a hotel close to Chora is recommended. Perfectly situated in the heart of the town, Belvedere and Fresh are two of the island’s most luxurious five-star boutique hotels. A drink at the Belvedere’s poolside Matsuhisa (as in Nobu Matsuhisa) is the perfect way to start a glamorous evening on the island, while Fresh’s outdoor Greek fusion Kalita restaurant is a nice spot for either lunch or dinner.
seafood and amazing island views make for a memorable dining experience. Once you’ve tanned, eaten and enjoyed sunset drinks, it’s time to shop, and there’s no escaping the abundant array of accessory and clothing boutiques as you wander the island’s ancient alleyways. The upscale shopping area in the heart of town offers tourists designer brand names, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Hermès, in addition to high-end local and international jewelry and watch boutiques like Cartier and Patseas. My friends who visit Mykonos yearly neglected to tell me that the island was a shopper’s paradise (most probably because they were too busy scoping out bars) and as I walked through the old town at midnight buying beaded bracelets and necklaces galore,
it dawned on me that this was a very different Mykonos that I was experiencing. It wasn’t a big party destination full of 20-somethings, nor was it so quiet to verge on boring. And I understood why people who vacation in Mykonos always come back for a repeat experience: the island offers everything under the sun, injected with a strong dose of glamour every step of the way. Get ready to go Kurban Travel can plan every aspect of your Mykonos vacation. The Lebanese travel agency even offers nonstop flights from Beirut to Mykonos every Wednesday and Sunday until September 4. To turn your vacation dream into reality, contact Kurban Travel at tel. 01.371.013 (Kantari), 01.875.000 (City Mall, Dora) and 01.611.000 (Ashrafieh) or visit kurbantravel.com
A short walking distance from town, the deluxe Cava Tagoo, uniquely built into a Cliffside, is another one of the island’s most buzzed about luxury hotels. The place boasts gleaming white suites and private villas overlooking the Aegean Sea, in addition to a spa, fitness center and an outdoor lounge bar. Famed architect Paris Liakos recently restyled the property, transforming it into one of the most visually stunning hotels in all of Greece, complete with an infinity-edge pool, whitewashed wooden floors and elegant four-poster beds. A trip to Mykonos wouldn’t be complete without at least one outdoor dinner by the sea. Try Sea Satin Market, a glorious restaurant situated in the old port, directly on the water and close to the iconic island windmills. Fresh
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A summer in Mykonos
By Tala Habbal
The sun-drenched Greek island is sexy, stylish and seductive
All-night parties, scantily clad sun-kissed bodies and a “who needs sleep” attitude have made the tiny Greek island of Mykonos a favorite summer travel destination for the jet-setting, party-all-night elite. However, a recent first-time trip to the whitewashed, cosmopolitan island proved that there is much more to Mykonos than first meets the eye. As a self-proclaimed anti-clubber in need of rest and relaxation, I always wondered if Mykonos would be the right vacation destination for me. To my delight and surprise, the island took me under its spell from the moment I landed, and I learned that it was in fact the perfect blank canvas for any type of vacation one desires. Days start late (since parties go on until the
A 282
sun comes up) and are spent lounging on the beach. My Mykonos-obsessed friends repeatedly recommended I visit Nammos, and upon setting foot on the white-sand beach located in Psarou, it was clear why. Think Nice meets Cannes meets Ibiza. This family-friendly, see-and-be-seen beach offers luxurious sunbeds, crystal-clear waters and a first-rate restaurant. Take a break from tanning and head to the restaurant to enjoy everything from fresh seafood to sushi, Greek delicacies and abundant amounts of wine, before returning to your beach bed to continue lounging around until sunset. One of the best things about Mykonos is its ability to be laid-back yet glamorous all at the same time, so heading to the island’s famous Caprice bar for sunset drinks in your
beach attire is encouraged. No need to waste precious island time changing into heels. And although clubbing wasn’t at the top of my list of things to do, I couldn’t help but stumble into Güzel, one of the hottest clubs on the island, after dinner, drinks and more drinks. The party starts at 3am as beautifully clad people saunter in and dance until the sun comes up. Most of the action is in and around the main town of Mykonos (also known as Chora), and since there are only 31 taxis on the bustling island, staying in a hotel close to Chora is recommended. Perfectly situated in the heart of the town, Belvedere and Fresh are two of the island’s most luxurious five-star boutique hotels. A drink at the Belvedere’s poolside Matsuhisa (as in Nobu Matsuhisa) is the perfect way to start a glamorous evening on the island, while Fresh’s outdoor Greek fusion Kalita restaurant is a nice spot for either lunch or dinner.
seafood and amazing island views make for a memorable dining experience. Once you’ve tanned, eaten and enjoyed sunset drinks, it’s time to shop, and there’s no escaping the abundant array of accessory and clothing boutiques as you wander the island’s ancient alleyways. The upscale shopping area in the heart of town offers tourists designer brand names, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Hermès, in addition to high-end local and international jewelry and watch boutiques like Cartier and Patseas. My friends who visit Mykonos yearly neglected to tell me that the island was a shopper’s paradise (most probably because they were too busy scoping out bars) and as I walked through the old town at midnight buying beaded bracelets and necklaces galore,
it dawned on me that this was a very different Mykonos that I was experiencing. It wasn’t a big party destination full of 20-somethings, nor was it so quiet to verge on boring. And I understood why people who vacation in Mykonos always come back for a repeat experience: the island offers everything under the sun, injected with a strong dose of glamour every step of the way. Get ready to go Kurban Travel can plan every aspect of your Mykonos vacation. The Lebanese travel agency even offers nonstop flights from Beirut to Mykonos every Wednesday and Sunday until September 4. To turn your vacation dream into reality, contact Kurban Travel at tel. 01.371.013 (Kantari), 01.875.000 (City Mall, Dora) and 01.611.000 (Ashrafieh) or visit kurbantravel.com
A short walking distance from town, the deluxe Cava Tagoo, uniquely built into a Cliffside, is another one of the island’s most buzzed about luxury hotels. The place boasts gleaming white suites and private villas overlooking the Aegean Sea, in addition to a spa, fitness center and an outdoor lounge bar. Famed architect Paris Liakos recently restyled the property, transforming it into one of the most visually stunning hotels in all of Greece, complete with an infinity-edge pool, whitewashed wooden floors and elegant four-poster beds. A trip to Mykonos wouldn’t be complete without at least one outdoor dinner by the sea. Try Sea Satin Market, a glorious restaurant situated in the old port, directly on the water and close to the iconic island windmills. Fresh
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