Greece, Jan 13: Mykonos belongs to the Greek Cyclades islands. It measures just nine miles by six and is covered with little whitewashed houses. If you want to arrive at one of Europe`s most cosmopolitan islands in style, and can afford the luxury, it takes just 30 minutes helicopter ride from Athens to reach Mykonos.
The Santa Marina resort is based on the south of the island in Ornos Bay. The resort is a luxury 20 acre complex of 90 hotel rooms and four villas with their own pools. The balcony has stunning views across the bay, looking out at all the luxury yachts. Sharon Stone, Oliver Stone and Mel Gibson have all visited the resort. It has four bedrooms, a gym, its own lift and even a live-in maid. If you can`t stretch to that you can always relax on the private beach or at the bar and restaurant by the pool.
Just ten minutes` drive north of the resort is the island`s capital, Mykonos town. It`s a labyrinth of narrow whitewashed lanes originally designed to baffle invading pirates, although it hasn`t stopped the tourists.
The island was quiet and peaceful until it was discovered by shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who brought Jackie Kennedy to the island. Since then, owning a house on the island has been considered a status symbol by wealthy Athenians.
Mykonos is also home to the island`s mascot: Petros the pelican. He was one of a flock which flew to Mykonos from the mainland in the 1950`s.
There are various ways to get around the island - car, moped or even public transport. If you want to immerse yourself completely in the James Bond lifestyle you can hire a speedboat for a day. It is a great way to see some of the island`s beaches.
Super Paradise is the biggest and most talked-about beach on the island. It is divided down the middle, gay on one side and straight on the other. There are a couple of restaurants and bars that stay open well into the night. Mykonos town has the oldest and hottest bar on the island, Caprice. The beautiful people have been coming to Caprice for twenty-five years and it`s certainly a great place to mingle.
Bureau Report
