Kythnos, the Cyclades
“My warm-up trip before my main vacation will be to a small island called Kythnos, a really great destination that for many years was overshadowed by the other Cycladic big names,” says Panagiotis Sopiadis, founder of White Label Development, and a food and travel writer. “It’s just a breath away from Athens, less than two hours by boat from the lovely little Lavrio port. There are nice tavernas, amazing turquoise waters, great beaches, great food, and small boutique hotels. I’ll stay at Yfes hotel, a place where I go to disconnect, right on the rocks by the water’s edge with amazing views. I love eating at Margiora, located in a very old house with a beautiful terrace at the front, and for traditional Greek coffee and people-watching, I’ll go to Ta Thermia and sit on the church steps.”
Rhenia, the Cyclades
“This summer, my heart is set on returning to Rhenia, a Cycladic gem that holds a very special place in my soul, and the island I named my dog after,” says Katerina Topouzoglou, an environmentalist and founder of All For Blue, a global ocean conservation charity. “It’s the untouched sister island of the iconic Delos, where we do annual beach and underwater cleanups in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. After the bustling energy of other Cycladic islands, Rhenia’s tranquillity and natural beauty feel like stepping back in time to a more serene and authentic Greece, something I miss while living in Mykonos. The water is unbelievably turquoise and clear, perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and there’s a wild beauty to the landscape. For me, it’s a sanctuary, a place to disconnect, recharge, and truly immerse myself in the raw beauty of the Cyclades, away from the crowds. The underwater world around the small islets surrounding the island is teeming with life, and soaking in the silence and the starlit nights is an experience in itself, a reminder of the simple magic of the Greek islands.
