While the allure of the Mediterranean sea kissing the vista of blue and white buildings are quintessential Greece, there is so much more to discover of what I call the “real Greece”. The first volume of this new series, I will be sharing images and stories from my travels through this amazing country. While ELIA was inspired by my own Greek heritage, ELIA is the very thing that allows me to further my connection to my roots.

 

I can't wait to share more with you.

xx
Candice

Nestled in the heart of the Aegean, Naxos island is a wonderland beyond the usual tourist list.  The labyrinthine streets of Naxos town riddled with cafes, shops and markets is a day well spent on its own, but it is a must to immerse yourself in the countryside. Ancient olive trees, endless vineyards, the marble quarries hard at work, ceramicists carrying their masterpieces outside for the sun to dry. No matter where you explore, there is something so unique to each region of this wondrous island. I was lucky enough to visit Naxos in autumn while the sun still warmed the sea for swimming, the grapes ripe for harvesting, the cool breeze the perfect accompaniment to road trips through the unpaved roads to natural gems.

Naxos town, where you arrive by ferry into the port, is bustling with shops featuring the harvests of this hardworking island - herbs, cheese, kitron liqueur, leather goods, marble art, you name it.

The picturesque inland villages, where a vibrant, floral-enveloped building delights the eye at every turn, are meant for long coffees spent people-watching. It is in these little villages that you can find artisans of every kind - pottery being a favorite, of course.

Within a 5 minute drive, you can experience the greenest green, as if you were transported to Ireland-like pastures, the driest desert where only the strong survive, and the sense that you landed on the moon with the wildest rocks you will ever see.

Flavor to transport to Naxos.