With luxury resorts and a glamorous main town, Mykonos is the

With luxury resorts
and a glamorous
main town, Mykonos
is the perfect Greek
island for a girls’ trip
By michelle darlow
I
am a big fan of the Greek
Islands – but the problem is
there are so many to pick from.
Our holiday brief was mixed
– five women who wanted a bit
of fun in the sun.
We wanted it to be relaxing with
glorious, uncrowded sandy beaches to
lounge on, but with enough of a buzz
at night to keep us happy. We also
wanted a dose of culture and history,
as well as fashion and fun. And we
found it all on the cosmopolitan
island of Mykonos.
For starters, it’s only a four-hour
direct flight from the UK with British
Airways. No transfers, no rickety
boats. The airport is tiny so you can
whip through it in no time and the
whole island is small enough that
transfers are usually under half an
hour. This is Greece the easy way.
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aegean
well
Bridge of
sighs... the
magnificent
pool at St
John Hotel
sparkling
On top of that, it’s beautiful – it’s not
for nothing that in the last decade this
has become one of the most visited,
photographed and loved islands in the
Aegean.
Framed by a row of famous
windmills above, and the sparkling
sea below, it only took us seconds to
get into the holiday mood.
There’s plenty of budget
accommodation in Mykonos
Town, but if you’re treating
yourself, head out to the flashy,
splashy beach resorts: beautiful,
golden curls of sand backed by
hills dotted with shining white
Cycladic villas.
And you won’t do better than
the luxurious St John Hotel
Villas & Spa, where we couldn’t
walk a step before a golf cart
Sun kissed...
whizzed up to escort us around
girls just
wanna
– a luxury we very quickly got
have fun
accustomed to.
St John is a big resort hotel,
great for weddings and
honeymoons, just a 10-minute
(£5) taxi ride from the main
town. The villas are scattered
across the hillside, with enough
private space without feeling
completely deserted.
here!” I’m more interested in an older
The main infinity pool –
claim to fame – this is the beach
complete with dazzling white bridge
Shirley Valentine came to in the 1989
and endless sea view – is the sort of
vision of calm you see in honeymoon movie. If you want to have a go at
recreating it there are no less than six
brochures.
hotel restaurants and bars to try
You can while away hours lying on
(including one named after her).
the double swing beds, iced coffee in
Even if you’re not out to bag a sexy
hand. If you want to escape the pool
waiter, try the exotic Au Bar overarea, some of the villas have hot tubs
on the balconies, but whatever type of looking the sea. It’s the perfect little
place to chill out and work your way
room you have, the day’s highlight is
through the impressive cocktail list.
watching the beautiful sunset from
Because there is everything on site,
the hotel’s private beach – one of the
we could happily have spent a week
best spots on the island.
not leaving the complex, but it’s worth
This is celebrity Greece past and
present. While my friend is squealing: stirring yourself to discover the rest of
what this idyllic island has to offer.
“The Kardashians stayed around
TRAVEL FILE
Tilting at
windmills...
iconic
Mykonos
Mykonos Town is a maze of narrow,
painted paths which tempt you into
getting lost. That’s our best tip: dump
the guide book and head out to
discover flower-filled courtyards, chic
little shops and restaurants.
If you’re a foodie after a treat,
dining at Meating is a must:
traditional Greek
fare at Michelin
standard. But if
you’re on a budget
head further into
the maze, where
you’ll discover
friendly local bars
like Galleraki and
snack shops at
purse-friendly prices. Save a couple of
euros for the amazing ice cream – it’s
practically a food group around here.
The quaint little streets lead out to
the harbour, where you’ll see the
cruise liners dock and get to feel
superior to the day-trippers who’ll be
gone by tomorrow.
We chilled in Alegro right on the
port with fresh calamari and a glass
(or two) of wine.
A week away just didn’t feel long
enough, between the wonderfully
relaxing days mooching around the
hotel, mixed with a few days out
exploring. Plus
Fine style... St
John Hotel & Spa there really is a lot
to be said about
the friendly
chilled-out locals.
We left this
whitewashed
paradise feeling
serene and to
return.
WHEN TO GO The best
time to visit is JuneSeptember, when the
island comes to life. But
in July and August,
temperatures rise over
30C, and August can be
windy. September is
often the best month – a
slight drop in the
mercury and crowds, but
still loads of sunshine.
WHAT TO SEE Head to
the neighbouring island
of Delos, a Unesco World
Heritage Site, where you
can spend the morning
wandering around the
ancient streets and
temples. The ferry leaves
at 10am (not Mondays)
and returns 1pm or 3pm.
A return is €20 (£16).
BE ACTIVE Take a boat
trip around the island.
We booked through
Mykonos Sailing Day
Cruises. This boat only
fits 10 people, so it felt
very exclusive while we
sunbathed on the deck,
sipped champagne and
dived off for a snorkel. A
highlight of the trip. Half
day from €70/£56pp.
mykonossailing.gr
BOOK IT The five-star St
John Hotel has garden
view rooms from £150
per night including an
awesome breakfast
buffet. saintjohn.gr BA, easyJet, Thomson
and Thomas Cook all fly
to Mykonos.
Get inspired at
mirror.co.uk/travel
AUGUST 17, 2014 • HOLIDAYS AND GETAWAYS • 13