Greece

To the south-east of Europe, the Greek peninsula with an area of 131,944 square kilometres, comprises Continental Greece (Attika, Peloponnese,

Central Greece, Thessalia, Epiro, Macedonia, Tracia) and the Aegean and Ionian Islands. Geographically, it is a part of Europe, as it comprises the extreme southern point of the Balkan peninsula.  The small group of  Ionian Islands, in the Ionian Sea, bounds Greece to the west.  On the contrary, there are numerous islands in the Aegean Sea which in some areas form groups of islands, like the North and South Aegean Islands, the Sporadics, the Cycladics, and the Docecanese, and other isolated ones to the south such as Crete.  The Cycladics are made up of 39 islets of which 24 are

inhabited.  The Sporadics are situated in the eastern coast of  Eubean Continental Greece and preserve the actual features of an island and its original popular tradition.  The Docecanese group comprises 12 big islands and a number of other minor islands, each one with its own

features and peculiarities. Furthermore, in the sea which extends from the coasts of Attica to those of the Peloponnese, you can find another group of islets, the islets of the Argo-Saronic Gulf.  From the geographical point of view, Greece is, in its outline, characterised by a variety of structures.

The Cycladic Islands

A group of islands which is made up of 56 small and big islands scattered thoughout the blue Aegean.  Some of them are quite well-known to the vast public and to international exponents, others are unknown to the present tourism flow.

They are considered to be the ideal place for a holiday,and are suitable for all types of visitors.  According to tradition, they owe their name to the destiny they form, like a circle around the holy island of Delos. One of the most important old mediterranean civilisations, the Cycladic civilisation (3000 – 1000 B.C.),  began here.  Geologists claim that  the present structure of the Cycladics was caused by the alternating geological variations, earthquakes, vulcanic eruptions, movements of the earth’s crust, which sank many parts of the mainland.  Many believe that one of these was the disappeared continent of Atlantis.  The islands’multiform shape, the men who inhabit there and who have a particular conception of life, liven up the towns’ streets and the island country paths, the unlimited number of small country churches, the windmills, the pigeon-houses, the seagulls, the donkeys, the seals, the beaches, the underwater grottos, the castles, the monasteries, the windswept slopes, make up the fundamental element of attraction for these islands. In spite of this, even though, in their outline, they have common characteristics: the crystal clear sea, the sun, the golden

beaches, typical scenery and  architecture of the Cycladic Islands, each island preserves its own peculiarity which the visitor can ascertain by analysing them separately. The Cycladics are islands where harmony originates from contrast and where different elements set out a balance.  You can eat local dishes, taste wine, try traditional recipes, take part in festivals and fairs, you can dance the ‘Balo’ and the ‘Susta’ (traditional dances).  We’re certain that you’ll feel like a different person.

The island of Syros

Siros is the capital of the Cycladic Island Cluster.  Orthodoxy merges with Catholicism.  “The Queen of the Cycladics”, Ermoupolis is the capital. It is said that a middle class was formed during the last century.  The Town Hall is a work by Ziller, the “Apollon” Theatre is considered to be a copy in miniature of Milan’s ‘La Scala’.  There are beautiful beaches such as Galissà, Poseidonia, Vari, Foinikas, Kimi, Megas Yalos, Kymata, Aghios Nikolaos, etc...

GENERAL INFORMATION

Distance from Rome 118 km

Distance from Naples 108 km

Can be reached by train – Fondi station

Can be reached by car along the SS Pontina

Sports: scuba, tennis, horse-riding, sailing, water-skiing.

You can rent boats, cars and mopeds.