CNN online lauds the Greek island of Naxos as the best place to lead a healthy life. In a piece titled ‘Naxos: Lush Greek island delivers the good life’, travel writer Marissa Tejada explains why she believes the rocky Cyclades island, also known as the ‘green leaf’ of the Aegean Sea, combines everything a traveler could desire. Here is an excerpt from CNN online:

“Some places are better than others at fulfilling the powerful human desire to live well.
The Greek island of Naxos delivers.
The largest and lushest of the otherwise rocky Cyclades, Naxos is sometimes referred to as the “green leaf” of the Aegean Sea.
Its diverse natural setting satisfies the active traveler’s appetite for outdoor adventure, and the fertile land feeds those who seek homegrown culinary experiences.

There’s rich mythology and medieval architecture. From land to sea, the island is long on allure.
On foot: Naxos Hiking tours traverse marble walkways, fertile plains, vineyards and olive groves and wind along paths connecting village to village.
“My grandparents were walking these beautiful paths, it was a way of life,” says leader Stella Korre, who likes to intertwine the rich history and mythology of Naxos with routes that touch all five senses.

On horseback: Naxos Horse Riding expeditions lead riders through the Naxian farmlands, onto long stretches of beach and to hidden spots where the views are a textured blend of mountain and sea.

Families working in the fields, inland villages and ancient sites give riders a sense of the island’s past and present.

On wheels: Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades region, rises in the core of the island with an elevation of 1,003 meters.
According to Greek mythology, the king of the Greek gods, Zeus, was raised in a cave on Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades.
It’s also the background for some of the most scenic bike routes in the Cyclades.
While excursions with Naxos Bikes don’t climb the mountain, it’s never far away as riders glide past villages and archaeological sites.”