Kimolos, Cyclades Islands

In brief
Kimolos, is a nice, small unspoiled quiet island. It is believed that took its name after chalk (chalk=kimolia in Greek), which it once produced. Kimolos was known in antiquity for the chalk, used as detergent and in medicinal baths (fuller's earth). But according to a legend it took its name after its first inhabitant, Kimolos husband of Side.

General Information
Very close to Milos lies Kimolos, the hilliest island in the Cyclades and one  whose predominant color is as white as blinding as the chalk it produces. The necropolis found at Elinika, in the south-west of the island, and the remnants of the ancient city of Kimolos on the islet of Agios Andreas (facing Elinika) are testimony to habitation as far back as the Mycenaean period.
Much later, in the Middle Ages, pirates used the well-concealed caves of Kimolos as places of refuge.

From the quiet harbour of Psathia road leads uphill to the capital of Kimolos or Hora, where almost all the islanders live.

The houses of Hora, in the authentic Cycladic style, are clustered around the nucleus of the castle, which is itself divided into two settlements, Messa Kastro (Inner Castle) and Exo Kastro (Outer Castle). In the former, the outer walls of the houses form a defensive wall with loopholes for windows and four entrance gates.

The overall impression is of a painting in white against a blue background. Flowers are grown in all the courtyards, and the alleyways are cobbled.
Prassa in the north of the island is where the chalk is mined. There are also medicinal springs with sulphurous waters.
In general, Kimolos is a little off the tourist track. Yet it has superb beaches and would be an ideal spot for those who are fond of quiet and solitude in an idyllic setting.

Sightseeing
Most of the people of Kimolos today live in the island's capital Hora. Because of the many pirate attacks the village has been built like a true labyrinth, in order to confuse the enemies. Here, you can visit the archaeological museum with objects mainly from the excavations at Ellinika, and there is also an impressive church with a blue dome, as well as an old castle.

At Ellinika there is a diving school, where they take you on dives around the sunken city. 

The fishing village Goupa is very pretty and definitely worth a visit.
The hot wells of Prassa are reputed for having healing powers.

Beaches

Apart from the beaches at Psathi and Prassa, there is good swimming at Aliki, Limni, Bonatsa, Klima and Monastiria.

Useful Information

(Area 36 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus 88 nautical miles)
How to get there
By sea from Piraeus & Milos

Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005
Milos Port Authority: +30 2287022100

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22870
Municipal Office: 51218
Police: 51205
Port Authority: 51071
Health Center: 51222

http://www.kimolos.gr

Ios, Cyclades Islands

In brief
Ios or Nios (Ios Greece) -as it is called by the locals- is a very beautiful and picturesque Greek Island with excellent sandy beaches and hundreds chapels. Its pretty Hora (capital) is a dazzling mix of white washed houses and blue domed churches. Ios island is well know for its nightlife and is a mecca to the youngsters. If you can sleep to the beat of the music, Ios is an island for you.

General Information
The coastline of this predominantly mountainous island with its countless chapels, its olive trees, its vineyards and its limpid air, is adorned with small, attractive coves. Those features combine with the crystal-clear sea, the superb sandy beaches and the good range of amenities to make los a magnet for tourists.
 

Locally called Nios, this is an island whose history goes back to prehistoric times. According to Herodotus, the “poet of poets”, the “god-like” Homer was buried at Plakotos, in the north of the island. Pausanias tells us that there was an inscription at Delphi confirming the poet’s interment on Ios, which was the homeland of his mother, Clymene. On 15th of May each year, the Homer festival -Homeria takes place in Ios Island and a flame is carried from the port to his tomb in Plakoto.
 

Above the pretty harbour of Ormos, where fishing-boats and yachts bob at anchor, stands the capital of Ios or Hora. The town stands on the site of the ancient city of the same name and is a typical Cycladic settlement, with whitewashed houses, narrow alleys and chapels. Among the churches, those of St. Catherine, St. John the Baptist and Sts. Cosmas and Damien stand out.
The whole beautiful image is rounded off with the bulk of the medieval castle and the row of windmills, which top the town.

The authentic Cycladic beauty of Ios, in combination with the island’s rapid development for tourism, has had the effect of attracting ever-increasing numbers of visitors.

Sightseeing
The island's pride is the tomb of Homer, which basically is just a pile of stones. It is difficult to find, but if you manage to locate it, it does tickle the fantasy. Local legend has it that he wanted to be buried on Ios since his mother was from here.
There are a few interesting churches on the island as well, but most visitors like to go to the monastery of St. John (Agios Ioannis).

The sites of Ios include a Hellenistic tower at Plakotos and the remains of an ancient aqueduct at Agia Theodoti, traces of an ancient temple at Psathi and a ruinous Venetian castle at the spot known as Paleokastro.
The Archaeological and Folkloric Museum in Hora and the Museum of Modern Art (Drot-Gaiti) at Kolitsani are also worth a visit.

Beaches
Lovers of the sea will be enraptured by the superb beaches of los. Mylopotas, a busy and favourite for youngsters (formerly beloved by hippies) is located near Hora.
Other beaches equally attractive but much quieter  are Agia Theodoti, Psathi, Kalamas, Plakes, Tzamaria, Kolitsani and Manganari.

Useful Information 

(Area 108 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus 107 nautical miles)
How to get there
By sea from Piraeus
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22860
Municipal Offices: 91505, 91028
Police: 91222
Port Authority: 91264
Health Center: 91227

http://www.ios.gr