The Cyclades is a group of islands in the Southeast of mainland Greece and a former administrative zone of Greece scattered across the dazzling Aegean Sea. The islands associated within a round circle around the Delos Island are known as the Cyclades. The Cyclades consists of 39 islands around the sacred islands of Delos and among those 24 are inhabited. Almost all of the islands are based as the peak of submerged mountainous topography except the two which are volcanic islands like the Santorini (Thera) and Milos. The climatic condition of the Cycladic Islands is generally dry and mild. The areas which are at higher elevations have cooler temperature and mostly do not receive winter weather. Though, the winter season in many of the islands is often depressing, unpleasant and intolerant. Except Naxos, the soil is not fertile in any of the islands and the agricultural production includes mainly the wine, wheat, tobacco and olive oil. Even with these infertile and unproductive soils, people mostly try to grow the food crops. They also prefer to raise the livestock and chase a diminishing supply of seafood in the frequently rough and dangerous seas surrounded all around the islands. The population density of the islands varies according to their size and the smaller ones can only support a population of few thousands. The main features of the islands are the golden beaches, cubist houses, pine forests, olive groves, herb-strewn mountain slopes and terraced valleys which make them a tempting mix and an appealing site for both visitors and people living there.
| List of Cycladic Islands |
|---|
| Andros |
| Ios |
| Koufonisia |
| Kythnos |
| Milos |
| Mykonos |
| Naxos |
| Paros |
| Santorini |
| Siros |
| Tinos |
When we talk about the tourism and want to learn about a place to visit then the Islands in Cyclades are ideal. They attract the attention of the visitors with their idealist features of beautiful barren hillsides, rocky coves, clear azure water, diversity of plants and a wide variety of marine animals. If anyone has attention and plan to visit such an idealistic but realistic place, then the best time to visit is from July to August. This is the most popular season for the visitors who have the attraction to enjoy the tour with the crowds but its drawback is that the weather stays hot, some islands undergo water shortage, there is a lot of gathering of people and the accommodation charges are very high. Although to make the tour in less expense, May-June or September to mid October is a better opportunity. At this time of the year, the weather of the islands remains good and accommodation is much cheaper. But during the whole season from mid-May to mid-October, the weather stays hot and climatic conditions favor the tourists to enjoy the beaches. It is also essential for the visitors to keep in mind the winter and chilling weather of the islands at the beginning or end of the season. Though, the Cyclades are also well known for the continuous wind which is called the meltemi that blows during July-August and alleviates the heat a bit.
There are numerous charming islands consisted of the Cyclades but the most famous among the people are the Mykonos and Santorini. Mykonos is the top most expensive, attractive and prominent best Cycladic Island and contains the stone and hilly areas. The elegant white sandy beaches full of crystal water, golden sandy beaches, astonishing mountainous landscape, beautiful churches, picturesque villages, chapels and windmills and the sophisticated nightlife make the island a heaven on the earth. So, the Mykonos attracts the celebrities and wealthy tourist from all over the world. Its beauty is so well known and the artists have such an inspiration of it that they dedicate their excellent work to this island. It is also well known for the invention of beach golf. Mykonos is also considered to be the oasis for the homosexuals and is well reputed to be a gay capital of the Mediterranean Sea. The island is familiar for its great fun and all night long entertainment. It is also famous for the architecture and contains mostly the whitewashed cubic houses with flat roofs, blue doors and windows, smooth streets, flowered balconies with supernatural and mysterious atmosphere. The whole island is well covered by the landscape and only the olive trees with a few bushes make it worth attractive for the visitors. The people prefer to live in or near the city to find the calm and peacefulness. As the tour starts in summer months, the domestic flights and the direct international flights become regular and frequent.
Santorini is also the one of the most famous and frequently Cycladic Island in the Greece. It was also called as the strogili which means rounded and created in a miraculous way. A terrible eruption took place and the central part of the island sank in the sea leaving the hollow and magnificent cliffs which were 150 to 300 meters in height. It makes the unique feature of the island when the little village seems to be suspended in the sky. The island consists of the white painted village, cubic houses and chapels feels to be hanging on the cliffs offer a panoramic view over the volcano. The island also contains the inspiring black sandy beaches and the wonderful colors of the sunset make it the most striking in the world. This implausible outlook with great nightlife, romance, spectacular scenery and excellent beaches attract thousands of visitors every year to spend the holidays, celebrate their weddings and honeymoon in some inexpensive and luxury hotels. It also attracts the attention of film producers to shoot the movies on the island.
The Plane or the Ferry is commonly used to visit the Cyclades but the plane is expensive and less attractive for the visit to such islands. So, most of the tourists and the visitors usually take Ferry to move in the islands. It makes their journey fantastic and comfortable to fully enjoy the charm of the wonderful world of islands.
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