Ios Island
Ios is a beautiful small island set in the Aegean Sea and forms part of the Cyclades group of islands, which are part of Greece.
This relatively unspoilt island is hilly with cliffs which run down to the sea on most sides, offering sensational views of several of the Aegean Islands. It’s outstanding landscape makes Ios a perfect choice for Walking Holidays. Several fine golden sandy beaches are within easy reach for those wishing to relax and soak up the sun on those very hot days. Ios is situated half way between Santorini and Naxos and regular ferries make it possible to visit these islands for a days excursion.
Ormos Port
The main town on Ios is a spectacular Port at which the ferries arrive and depart. Here you can find the Town Beach and a very attractive Marina for visiting yachtsmen. Also clustered around the Port are a group of traditional Taverna Restaurants, a good selection of shops including Bakery, Supermarket, Boutiques and Travel Agency. (for you Ferry tickets etc.)A regular bus service takes you from the Port up to the Village, which is situated at the top of the hill, then down to beautiful Mylopotas Beach which is of fine golden sand. The Village of Chora can also be accessed on foot by an old and picturesque stepped donkey track.
Chora (Village)
Chora during the day is a peaceful traditional picturesque white painted Cycladic village, with winding streets to explore and many shops, restaurants and bars. Chora is proud of its beautiful churches and fine windmills.
At night Chora changes and becomes a Party Village with a large choice of Bars and Discotheques where partying goes on until the early hours of the morning.
Apart from The Port and Chora, Ios has a few small settlements set around its main major beaches (Theodoti, Kalamos, Manganari). With money from the European Community some new roads have been built to give good access to secluded areas of the island, other existing roads have been resurfaced in recent years to make it easier to travel about the island, using local buses and hired transport.
A very scenic amphitheatre has been created by the German architect Peter Haupt (who died in 2003). This is set at the top of the Village and is used to stage cultural events.
Ios attracts very large numbers of young tourists for the lively nightlife to be found in the Village. During the 1970’s the island attracted large numbers of young travelers who slept in their sleeping bags on the popular beach of Mylopotas after partying through the night. Today Mylopotas beach has been developed to an equivalent tourism resort like Platys Yialos and Paradise Beach of Mykonos.
In recent years Ios has also attracted tourists who wish to enjoy a quiet holiday vacation allowing them to do very little but relax and soak up the sun’s rays, and for the more energetic who prefer walking holidays, Ios has become an excellent destination.
At the end of the day why not enjoy the calm atmospheric scenery around the Port and watch the sun go down while enjoying a meal, or relaxing with a glass of Ouzo. Whatever your holiday requirement it can be found on Ios.
History of Ios.
The Island is about 18km long and 10km wide, with and area of 105 square kms. Its population in 2006 was 1, 820 inhabitants (down from 3,500 in the 19th century).
Ios has left little impression on history. Ancient tradition said that Homer’s mother was from Ios, and that he himself was buried there, indeed locals will show visitors the site of the ancient town of Plakotos at the northern most end of the island, where the rocky entrance to a tomb can be seen. There is no physical evidence connecting this with Homer. However there are signs of a Mycenaean settlement.
The north end of Ios also has a ruined Venetian castle from the 15th century and Ios itself can boast 365 churches and chapels one for each day in the year
Sources:
Ios (Island). (2006, June 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11:01, June 24, 2006, from Wikipedia.
Editions by Ray & Kathy Bonsor
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