A Mediterranean Summer

It's been a while since I've last spent an entire summer in Europe. Finally, in 2010, I've decided to stay by the Mediterranean Sea and visit places I've never been before.

To begin with, I went to Greece, which, in spite of having been born in Italy -such a close country-, I didn't know. And what a surprise it was to discover such a beautiful place, so full of History, Mythology and Art... And also of entertainment and incredible landscapes, with a warm and transparent sea, as that of the Caribbean.

I've been to Mykonos, the glamour island par excellance: the St. Tropez of Greece. A true show in itself, with beaches, nightclubs, lots of young people and joy!

But... beware! If you, heel-lover-women, are thinking about going... well, forget it! It is impossible to walk the streets of Hora (or Chora, as you wish to pronounce it), Mykonos' main town, with heels... Even a true fan as myself had to store them away and move around with basic Havaianas flip-flops. Several local shops sell the classic gladiator sandals, which are a must in the European Summer. They are flat and with straps tying around the ankles, very similar to those worn by Russell Crowe in Gladiator... They look amazing with a mini skirt or mini short, as long as they don't visually shorten the leg...

Another thing to consider about the Greek Islands is the wind, or meltemi, as locals call it. Forget about going to a Hair salon and go for a comfortable ponytail. When the wind blows, it really does blow, but however it is useful to make the air breathable, because if not, the Sun of Greece would feel too strong and hot.

I've also been to Santorini, another of the Cyclades Islands, but located to the south of Mykonos. 

Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. Its spectacular beauty, together with its busy nightlife, has made of Santorini one of the main vacation destination in Europe. It also has a giant central lagoon, more or less rectangular, and measuring about 12 by 7 km, which is surrounded by 300-mts-high steep hills on three of its sides. The island slopes down to the surrounded Aegean Sea. On the fourth side, the lagoon is separated from the sea by a smaller island called Therasia; thus the lagoon merges with the sea in two places, in the northwest and southwest. As you can imagine, a unique landscape!

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I fell in love with the excellent Greek cuisine: fishes, feta cheese, vegetables and, above all, their white yogurt, the famous Greek yogurt, that I ate to excess, always with a spoonful of Greek honey. The best of desserts. And one that won't make you fat!!!