Summer 2016 Cruises; Kythnos

The western Cyclades islands - Kea, Kythnos, and Serifos - we visited in the summer. 

We left the port of Lavrio with moderate winds and sailed 25 nm to the island of Kythnos.  We first anchored at the lovely Colona bay.  Its unique feature is the strip of sand that unites the main island with the Saint Luke islet nearby.    

We anchored near the strip of sand at night.  It was lovely and we needed no light as the full moon created amazing luminosity.

My brother’s family (Nikos, Alexandra, George and Vasilis) and I had dinner at the local restaurant up on the hill.  The food was tasty and the view was amazing.

From Colona an hour’s sail south is Merichas, the main port of Kythnos.   Merichas was a sleepy little fishing village until 1974 when the construction of a new wharf and anchorage for ferries, yachts and sailboats transformed it into a prosperous community, with a flourishing tourist trade.   The harbormaster runs an efficient mooring operation that makes mariners wanting to return. 

My brother, his two sons, his wife – the designated photographer – and I are having dinner at a seaside restaurant of Merichas.

On weekends during the summer months, young boys and girls, exhibit folkloric local dances at the wharf.

Kythnos nickname is Thermia (which means " hot baths" in Greek), a name derived from the hot mineral water springs in the little town of Loutra in the northern part of the island.