Travel - Mykonos {Part One}

June 05, 2017


Mykonos feels like such a long time ago already now. It's been such a whirlwind of crazy since getting home and finishing the kitchen off. But I couldn't leave these photos sitting on my camera, it was such a dream whilst we were out there {as a trip with Mr & Mrs Smith} and Mykonos is now firmly up there as one of my favourite Greek islands. Photos and a mini travelogue below;

{Hat from Sunshine & Shade, Bikini H&M, Pouch Elizabeth Scarlett}

Arriving into Mykonos and driving to our first hotel we were reminded just how much we love about the Greek islands. The bakeries, the smell of fig trees in the air like my favourite diptyque candle, the pretty flowers at the side of the road and in the case of the Cyclades islands the white washed buildings everywhere. White is the colour of Mykonos {and Santorini}. I think there must be a law about painting your house or restaurant or church anything other than blanc. It sits against the bold blue sky and makes the bright pink bougainvillea stand out even more.



We had four nights, but five whole days on the island, and stayed at two different boutique hotels out there. Both Smith properties, the first was Rocabella Mykonos. A whitewashed hotel that reminded me a lot of our trip to Santorini a few years before {here and here} with a cave like style and bright blue skies to offset it all.






We were spoilt with two private terraces, one for sunbathing and one for a hot tub where you could sit and overlook the town glittering at dusk. 



I've talked more about Rocabella Mykonos on So You're Getting Married this week with a full honeymoon guide {online here}. We loved the Greek buffet breakfasts sat overlooking the pool.







Living in a white washed world.








Mykonos isn't a huge island, we'd hired a car for a few days and it was so easy to get around with free parking everywhere. I think it helped that we visited in May, just before the peak season. May was such a beautiful time to visit, warm enough to sunbathe but not scorching hot and before the main crowds. It gets packed in the summer with both cruise ships and people staying to party.



Mykonos Old Town/ also known as Chora is a must visit. We visited a couple of times from Rocabella, it was just a five minute drive with free parking at the Port car park. 



It's the kind of place that you just need to get lost in all the alleyways full of shutters, bougainvillea and pretty climbing vines. We went in on our first evening for dinner and were amazed by just how magical it all was.










These streets!





We had dinner in a little taverna that felt so Greek with the check table cloths, under the pink blooms and blue and white streets.






The next morning we woke to bright blue skies so walked down to Agios Stefanos beach after breakfast. It was just a two minute stroll down the hill from our hotel and one of the most beautiful beaches I've seen in Europe.





Such gorgeous water, soft sand and all framed with that bougainvillaea.





That's one of the ways that Santorini differs from Mykonos, it lacks these gorgeous beaches.









We spent our first few days exploring. At the start of a trip I'm always so eager to get out and see the island before spending the last few days relaxing. First on our list was lunch at Kikki's.



We drove across the island towards Agios Sostis. Mykonos is an island of two halves, some incredibly stylish filled with white cubes. The other so undeveloped, tiny unmade roads, farmland and cactus and donkeys everywhere. We'd been recommended Kikki's by a few people but told to get there early before 12.30pm.


It's a BBQ restaurant with no electricity overlooking a quiet little Greek bay. The food is amazing and it's one of those holiday experiences that you'll remember forever. You turn up and take a seat in the queue before Kikki finishes his swim. He'll come and take your name and then give you drinks while you wait or you can wander down to the beach. Then at 1pm if you're high enough in the queue you can go to your table and order. Those who turn up after have to wait until the next sitting. 






The food and setting were both so gorgeous and felt like we'd found the real Mykonos. 


We started with the salads that you choose from the counter before ordering fish and grilled aubergine from the BBQ. 



Such an incredible lunch overlooking the sea.


You must order that grilled aubergine!


Our lunch view.



Next to the restaurant is this gorgeous church, just what you picture when you think of Mykonos and Santorini.








Beachy days.




I think it was one of my favourite days in Mykonos. That evening we got dressed up and headed into town in search of the famous windmills. We picked up some gyros and souvlaki from Pepper's {a recommended restaurant in the middle of town which we loved and would definitely recommend} and an ice cream before just wandering around and soaking it all up. It was such a beautiful evening.




Such clear water looking over whitewashed Mykonos town.








Dress from Zara.













We found the best gelato spot called I Scream that was all homemade, and cheaper than the crazy prices in the main part of town. That was our only gripe with the island, the prices were so much higher than other Greek Islands.








I loved the hidden alleys by the sea in Little Venice, near the windmills. The famous bar below is called Kastro.










 




Looking back at these photos just makes me want to beam myself right back there.




More in Part Two including the best dinner we've ever eaten and gorgeous Ornos Beach.

You can find more on Rocabella Mykonos here with Mr & Mrs Smith. The only place I look to for boutique hotels when holiday shopping.

R <3 xx

{I was a guest of Mr & Mrs Smith but have been using them for years, as always I would never promote anything that I didn't truly love and wouldn't pay for myself}

You Might Also Like

2 comments

  1. Oh what beautiful photos, it brings back memories from my visit to Mykonos three years ago, would love to go back... the white buildings against the amazing blue backdrop of the sky and ocean #heaven thanks for sharing and bringing back those memories

    All things nice...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Omg these photos are beautiful I want to go there now omg :( xx

    franalibi.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

@rvk_loves on Instagram