Mykonos

In Greek mythology Dionysus is a goddess of wine, ritual madness, and ecstasy, and she never misses a summer in Mykonos. A playground for gods and mortals alike, when the Grecian sun sets in Mykonos the wind stays warm and music turns up. Laughter and the clinks of glass are swept off to sea with the night winds, and are brought right back in the mist drifting off the shore break. Even the Aegean sea yearns to be closer, and knows that the ritual madness of Mykonos really is not to be missed. 

We arrived to Old Town Mykonos just as the sky was coalescing shades of pink and purple and a golden sun melted past the horizon. We watched the clear blue water lap the boardwalk and understood how such a place could inspire timeless myths of sea, sun, love, and adventure. We were still in our awe struck stupor when our young handsome greek host found us in the Manto Mavrogenous Square. Deeper into Old Town we traced cobblestone around smooth, immaculately white buildings as bright as the full moon as store owners turned on their runway lights. We landed at our adorable cave home deeply nestled into the puzzle of pathways, fit with a bunk bed and not one window aside from the door. 

We left to meet friends also on island, and found the perfect waterfront table at Kavos Restaurant, and sipped on spritz under the stars, reminiscing on islands visited past and relishing in the certain uniqueness of Mykonos. The combination of freedom and fairy tale render the air balmy, dreamy and full of imaginative possibility. We couldn’t resist a little ritual madness ourselves and followed the hum of music towards Little Venice, the party district. We danced and laughed under the disco ball, feeling the sea mist waft in from a meter away. We watched the sunrise over the islands perfect windmills and knew we were catching feelings for this island gem. 

Up with another perfect Grecian sun, we suited up, hoped on an ATV hit the road in search of complete and total Mediterranean immersion. The hills of the island rolled endlessly, the wind shimmering golden brown grass in the heat. Every cove was a myriad of blues, every beach so beautiful Calypso herself could be at any, waiting for Odysseus to return. Mykonos can be VERY WINDY, but thankful there are many many beaches, so be sure to find the beach that will work best with the wind direction that day. The locals, and our host, were very kind and helpful in choosing the best experience daily. Have fun with the ATV, most people on the island will have them, and driving here felt safe. 

We pulled up to the quiet and serene Ornos Beach, whose waters truly embody the phrase “calm cool and collected”. The waters are turquoise and tranquil, striking against the white and green of the landscaped homes dotting the hot hills behind. Many people swam and children splashed around carelessly, and some alone, proving it a very safe beach too. Here I finally submit to the to slow sultry peace of greek island time, and stretched under the sun, thanking Apollo for his shine time. After sufficient bronzing and a quick dip, we hopped back on the ATV in search of new shores and seafood. We disembarked the ATV on the bright sands of Platys Gialos, greeted by yachts and the dreamy escapism of tropical house music echoing lightly in the breeze. Platys Gialos is a wide and lively beach with many beachfront hotels and restaurants, as well as few fresh DJ sets. Of the many lovely restaurants, we chose Anios, an airy Mediterranean spot in front of the gorgeous Mykonos Palace Beach Hotel. We sat beachside under the shade of a bougainvillea and sipped more spritz while feasting on pesto spaghetti and seafood risotto. 
We snorkeled, and explored the beach end to end, taking in all the incredible blues, greens, and golds, bouncing off of tan and smiling people, it was a perfect European summer day.   

When the sun’s glow turned a deeper hue, we hit the road for a final stop at Jackie O’s, a popular beach bar overlooking Super Paradise Beach Club. Jackie O’s is a very very lively gay bar where the poolside dance party is the main attraction. We didn’t know it was a gay bar when we arrived, and the fun let-loose vibe was a welcome surprise! Jackie O’s also had several levels, and some incredible Greek chic design. We stopped by the Agia Marina church for a quick look on the way home, for the most anticipated part of our day was just before us. 

Just out of Old Town at the end of a rugged southern tip of the island, lies the boho luxe oasis of Scorpios Beach Club. Described by the StyleJunkies as a place “where sybaritic hedonism rules supreme”, we anticipated a place Cleopatra herself may be spotted, maybe even our Dionysus, and we were not disappointed. We pulled up to the restaurant at sunset and were immediately mesmerized by the scene: laidback lounging by cliffside fire pits while soft Arabian house music played into the warm wind that wrapped around the swaying girls of the starlit dance floor. I had never seen a place quite so mysterious, quite so enticing. 

Seated in farmhouse chairs, surrounded by wicker and clay in earthy tones, embers roasted on the lavender garnish of my cocktail while we listened to two beautiful girls on stage, one behind the turntable and another on a flute. The design of the club is that of an Arabian nights fever dream, incorporating rural Mediterranean design with Moroccan touches to create a rural chic ambiance that feels in tune with the the rugged and wild nature sanctuary of rock and sea that surrounds. 

Scorpios’ embodied the duality of Mykonos, a place where the sun starts days that are long and slow spent under thatched umbrellas and leaves them with warm nights and top DJ’s spinning long into the spotless night. It is the ultimate mystery to me how an island so mystical and secluded holds so much vibrant and joyous energy, yet here is an unparalleled celebration of life at any hour. Ritual madness it may be, but the pure pursuit of pleasure seems to by the raison d'être of the island, and it that there is ecstacy for us all. 

Ευχαριστώ Mykonos! 
Xo
Amanda Jam-

THE JAM

DIGS
Airbnb for an authentic cave home vibe. Splurge on The San Giorgio Mykonos, the ultimate haute hippie paradise, steps away from Scorpios and under the same ownership + design, swoon

EXPERIENCE
Old Town shopping + Little Venice, ATVs, Ornos Beach, Platys Gialos Beach, Nammos on Psarrou Beach, Paraga Beach, Paradise + Super Paradise Beach, Jackie O’s, Fokos Taverna, Windmills

FEAST
Kavos Restaurant, Alegro Restaurant, Hippie Fish, Scorpios , Kastro’s

LOCAL
Eats: Moussaka, Gyros, Olives, Saganaki, Feta, Dolmadakia, and Souvlaki
Drinks: Ouzo and Metaxa