Greece: Dancing waiters and abandoned beaches

“Greece may have lost its shirt, but it hasn’t given up its hospitality,” says the article

The British newspaper Daily Mail writes about Greece and the different type of vacation one can experience in the country and especially on the island of Naxos.

As the newspaper says, “Greece may have lost its shirt, but it hasn’t given up its hospitality”.

“On our second night at Hotel Grotta on the island of Naxos, the owner, Dimitris, insists we join him for dinner in the old town, a charming network of busy, narrow streets” says travel writer Kyle Staib.

“As we take our seats, he gives us a potted history of this, the largest island in the Cyclades, and says we must sample his mother’s legendary pies. We do — and they are superb.”

The article continues saying that the land of Naxos, that is home to about 20,000 people, is “remarkably fertile and they have a lot of marble, which has brought some prosperity to the island beyond tourism”.

“There are hills to climb, monasteries to visit and a touch of archaeology”, while if you need more action “the water sports centre in the sheltered bay of Agios Georgios is on hand. Conditions are ideal for windsurfing.”

The writer also describes one evening when they decided to “go to the Sunset Concert at the Venetian Castle, deep within the old town. The theme is traditional music and dancing in costumes (a lot of hands slapping feet) and ends with crowd participation, particularly from my girlfriend, who dances wildly with the waiters.”

The company of Staib decided to also visit one of the four neighbouring islands which are accessible by ferry. They chose tiny Schinoussa, where “certainly, there is no dancing with waiters. But we love the jagged landscape and lack of proper roads.”