Saturday, July 20, 2013

Syros, Greece



Despite its proud history, the Greek island of Syros, in the Cyclades, has fallen into an obscurity which has preserved its heritage, traditional cuisine and the genuine welcome offered by its people. As one of the few package-tour-free islands, it is essentially a self-contained society where tourists are guests, not an industry.


What To Do

BEACHES
The best, least inhabited beaches are those north of Kíni, most easily accessed by a caiquem (boat), which can be hired from Kíni. First you will come to Delfíni Beach and north of that, Varvarousa, Aetou Bay and Lía. Beaches in the south are not brilliant and tend to get swamped in high season.

What To See

Ermoupolis has been declared a National Historic Landmark by the Greek government, ensuring that its architectural and cultural integrity are preserved.
Ermoupolis's grand town hall on Miaouli Square contains a Cycladic art and archaeology museum, a fascinating historical archive and an old-time coffee shop in the atrium.
Italian opera companies travel here to perform at the Apollo Theatre, a miniature model of La Scala, with an intriguing little museum on the top floor.
The industrial museum near the dockyard recaptures the bygone trades that bankrolled Syros' rich cultural history.
For edible souvenirs, the food market on Chios Street stocks local sausages, dried figs and delicious San Michalis cheese, similar to pecorino.
While you're exploring Ano Syros, visit the Capuchin Convent of St Jean, which was founded as a poorhouse in 1635 by Louis XIII of France, and the Byzantine museum attached to it.

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