Greek Islands May 2018

The members of a tour are dwarfed by the ruins of the seating area in the amphitheatre of the Island of Delos, in the Aegean Sea. Delos was an immensely important religious centre 2500 years ago, and for hundreds of years before and after that time. There was an annual trip by ship from Athens for people who were ritually purified. The Ship probably had white sails as well as oars and was decorated with flowers. Once a floating island in mythology, it was anchored and became protected by the other islands that now circle it, the Cyclades. Delos was the birthplace of Apollo and his sister Artemis who, being born fully formed, assisted in her brother's birth.

A church building sited in the harbour area at Mikonos in the Cyclades.

Where the most western part of Mykonos town meets the sea is the area known as "Little Venice". Here the buildings have been constructed right on the sea"s edge with their balconies overhanging the water. During the 16th and 17th century pirating was common and it is believed this area was used for the necessary quick loading and unloading of goods.

A symbol of Mykonos' rich past, the island's windmills represented one of the earliest manufacturing units in Greece, showing the locals' great use of innovation in their effor to harness the enormous power of the wind. It is said that there used to be 28 windmills all over the island, 10 out of which were located here in the Kato Mili complex.

A cat (probably stray or feral) relaxes on the dockside at Mykonos. There is a fish tail nearby.

A bar in the Little Venice area of Mykonos, an island in the Cyclades.

Naxos town on the island of Naxos. Looking towards the eastern shore of the island of Paros in the Cyclades.

At the Fortress of Chora, on the island of Naxos.

The Palace of Marco Sanudo, the Venetian conqueror of Naxos. Marco Sanudo captured the entire island of Naxos as well as other Cycladic islands by 1209 and pronounced himself as the Duke of the Archipelago in 1210. Naxos (Chora) was his chosen capital city.