Cyclades

Greece

The most famous, and quite possibly most photographed islands in the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades, just a few hours on the ferry from Athens or fly direct to Santorini and Mykonos, are known for their whitewashed hillside houses soaring high above an azure bay or the wine-tinged sea. Here the architecture is cubist and mixed with bright blue domes, heritage windmills and white churches. The romance of the area has not been lost on travel lovers, who frequently make these islands a wedding or honeymoon destination. Each rocky gem has its own unique flavours and feel, lending itself to Island-hopping — one of the area’s most popular past times. Whether you’re catching a vibrant Caldera sunset on Santorini or hiking to a hidden chapel on a hillside on Tinos, visiting the old town of Hermoupolis, (Ermoupoli) on the island of Syros, there’s a reason this region has inspired so many legends, and why we all just love Greece.

- Santorini, Greece

Aenaon Villas

Sat in a secluded spot right on the edge of the famous Caldera, individually-created traditional houses hug the rock formations – these exceptionally sleek designer dens are more than villas, their tonal whitewashed minimalism gradually revealing handcrafted touches and a cool boutique aesthetic.

- Syros, Greece

Hotel Aristide

Housed within a fabulously restored Venetian-styled mansion house, this design hotel with nine suites and a stunning rooftop bar has put the island of Syros back on the map.

Infinity Views from Eros Keros Villas, on the slow-pace Cyclades island of Koufonisia

- Koufonisia, Greece

Éros Kéros

Éros Kéros Villas, on the slow-pace Cyclades island of Koufonisia, come drenched in Aegean blue vistas – a sun-kissed boutique retreat of four cubic Cyclades-style merchant houses that lazily gaze onto the island of Keros.

Under The Sun Design Hotel | Tinos, Cyclades, Greece | The Aficionados

- Tinos, Greece

Under The Sun Cycladic Village

Seamlessly slotting into Tinos’ wild and remote surroundings, design hotel Under The Sun is a raw and natural addition to this dramatic cliff-scape where Aegean blues blend sky with sea and a rugged architecture creates the perfect setting for a soulful escape.

Owners of Aenaon Luxury Villas, Caldera, Santorini, Greece

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A Family Affair Santorini - The Owners

Giorgos and Alexandra Alexiou are simply two of the nicest people you can meet, a creative couple that fuse you with their beautiful Greekness. Meet the creative owners behind the fabulous Aenaon Villas on the Cycladic island of Santorini - they found a perch right on the edge of the Caldera.

Tinos - landscapes of the Greek island in the Cyclades

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Tinos – Guide to the slow Greek Cyclades Island of culture

Escape to Tinos – the Greek island of over 60 Cycladic villages, art, culture, great natural food, pristine beaches and enough churches (1500+) to feel totally blessed – and slip into a new way of living, the Tinos way.

Museum of Marble Tinos | Panormos, Cyclades, Greece | The Aficionados

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Tinos’ Marble Marvels

From vast Doric columns to tiny, intricately carved religious artefacts, beautifully smooth busts and imposing door lintels, the Museum of Marble Craft in Tinos reveals the surprising malleability of this revered material.

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Tinos Wines

Three distinctive vineyards on the wild Greek island of Tinos produce bold natural wines from the harsh, mineral-rich, wind-sweept lands in the Cyclades. Meet three heroes: Gerard Margeon of T-oinos, Domaine de Kalathas by vigneron Jérôme Binda and Volacus Wines.

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Akrotiri: The Pompeii of Santorini

Covered in volcanic ash, just like its Italian counterpart Pompeii, the Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri, located on the south side of Santorini, was once the main port of the Aegean and a busy urban hub.

Gavalas Winery Megalochori, Santorini, Greece | The Aficionados

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Santorini’s Wines - Four Producers

Discover the four best Santorini winemakers on the volcanic Cyclades island's vineyards: Argyros, Gavalas, Venetsanos and Hatzidakis from vinsantos to Assyrtiko.

Luxury Villa Charissa Santorini designed in white, view to the Caldera from Aenaon Villas, white architecture view of Aegean, Designed by Elly Alexiou (Architect) and Maria-Christina Alexiou

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Fabulous new Villa-Suite on the island of Santorini

Villa Charissa is a new addition to the hip, designer-cool Aenaon Villas Santorini. Built in the same traditional island’s cave house style, locally called “yposkafa”, Villa Charissa is a luxury suite that cascades into tiers all cocooned in a rigorous aesthetic of pure white.

Tinos - Costas Tsoclis Museum - Costas Tsoclis, an artist whose practice is experimental, contemporary and ever influenced by the striking Aegean.

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Tinos' Aegean Artist, Costas Tsoclis

Art + Tinos go hand in hand, so an afternoon in a museum dedicated to Greek artist Costas Tsoclis is a must-do for experiencing the true poetry of the Aegean.

Santorini - on the edge of the Caldera - Cyclades Holidays in Greece, Infinity pool, Luxury Villas

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Our Favourite Five Cycladic Islands

Cool design, contemporary styling and a hug to local island culture make our pick of five easy-to-get-to Cycladic island escapes of Santorini, Tinos, Syros, Sérifos and Koufonisia, all the more irresistible.

VILLAS - Santorini, Greece