You want to discover the natural and cultural treasures of four of the most extraordinary Greek islands from an expert? This is the book for you!
(Look also for the other books in the series)
You will see this is not just another Greek islands travel guide.
In this book, you will discover, through a travel story and a large number of black and white photos with concise historical and architectural explanations, the known and unknown treasures of four of the most extraordinary islands of Greece.
Four islands form a geographical entity and can be visited together. Moreover, they represent the part of Greece where ancient Greeks placed the dwelling of Aeolus, god of the winds. This was due to its being perhaps the country's windiest part, which has the advantage of relatively cool summers.
Andros is not among the most known and visited islands of Greece. And yet, it deserves much more attention, since its hidden beauties are many more than the obvious ones.
Among other things, you will discover
-one of the most beautiful neoclassical ensembles in Greece
-historic monasteries
-beautiful villages
-a landscape of waterfalls and astonishing greenery in the arid Cyclades
-the island's great naval tradition, which gave it the nickname of 'Little England'.
Tinos. Last possession of Venice in the Aegean and thus the last bastion of the Western World in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tinos boasts a wealth of cultural treasures, set in an exceptional landscape. The fact that the church of the Virgin Mary in its port became the main pilgrimage of Greece resulted in the treasures of the hinterland remaining unknown to the wide public.
Among other things, you will discover
-medieval settlements
-monumental churches
-picturesque chapels
-monasteries that housed schools of international fame
-artistic dovecotes
-the island's marble craftsmanship, inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
World-famous Mykonos, despite the very intense tourist activity, has surprisingly maintained its beauty and characteristic picturesque image.
And finally, the tiny uninhabited island of Delos is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece.
Although these treasures are presented to you through a hiking tour, even if you don't hike you can see them since you can also reach them by car.
The author of this book holds a Ph.D. in Architectural History from the National Technical University of Athens and a master's in heritage preservation from the Ecole de Chaillot of Paris. He is a professor at the University of the Peloponnese, where he teaches these subjects. He is also a fervent cultural hiker.
His travel books (mostly about Greece) are addressed to you, the reader with a special interest in cultural sites. In order to help you better understand and remember these sites, they are written as a guided tour. They include encounters with interesting people and other personal travel experiences that will help you organize your own trip beyond the tourist clichés.
