With untouched beaches, Despotiko is a tiny uninhabited Greek island in the Cyclades with only about a thousand resident goats. Important archaeological remains at Mandra show evidence of a huge 6th-century B.C. temple complex. Further ancient ruins in the south of the island have since confirmed that this was a place of worship for Apollo, his twin sister Artemis, and Hestia devotees. Excavations show temples, a dining hall and even an aqueduct.
The capital of the Cyclades island of Paros, Parikia is home to the 4th-century church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (known as the church of 100 doors), considered one of the most important Byzantine monuments and best preserved Orthodox churches in Greece. The typical Cyclades town has cobblestone alleyways lined with blue-and-white houses. In Parikia, you’ll also find a striking Venetian castle, a bustling old market, tavernas, quaint shops, several churches and archaeological sites.
