Cruising the Greek Islands: A Study Beyond Blue and White
Bigger is not always better. I cruised the Greek Islands on Compagnie du Ponant’s l’Austral. With only 160 cabins and a capacity of 320 passengers, l’Austral is one of a group of smaller vessels that are able to call at harbors that can’t handle large cruise ships. For passengers, this means a more laid back, uncrowded view of the Greek islands.
We stopped at some of the classics such as Santorini and Rhodes, but we bypassed party-town Mykonos in favor of quieter islands that see so few cruise ships that l’Austral brought its own guides with it.
Overwhelmingly, the palette of the Greek Islands is blinding white and blazing blue — this is what tells you you are in the Greek islands and nowhere else on earth. But each island has its own hues and patterns, and some of them break ranks dramatically.
The themes of blinding white, blazing blue, and religion run through the Greek Islands. Lime based whitewash has antibacterial properties. The white color helps reflect the heat and keep the houses cool.
Church bells on Nisyros Shadows of the bells A staircase on Symi breaks the blue and white rule with abandon.
Paint colors on Symi flout the traditions. These steps on Santorini pass a traditional dolphin motif. Steps at the Akrotini ruins were crushed by an earthquake in 1700 BCE. Blue and white on Sifnos Oia overlooks the Santorini caldera. Oia seen from the Santorini Caldera View from Oia. Many of these homes have been converted to hotels and guest houses. Priests at the Monastery of St. John on Patmos. Woman explains processing mastic in Chios. Cafe on Chios Bride in Rhodes Cafe owner on Nisyros Gyspy girl busking on Rhodes A new take on blue and white on Sifnos Traditional and modern meet on the volcanic island of Nisyros Dried flowers are traditionally placed on doors in spring. (Sifnos) A door on Sifnos More color on Sifnos Even the boathouses on Santorini have painted doors. Door knocker Nisyros Door knocker: Symi Door knocker: Patmos Symi harbor is too small for large ships. Steep hills surrounding Symi make homes look stacked. Neighbors on Symi with different home decor aesthetics.
A Church on Sifnos. Isolated settings give time and space for contemplation and prayer. Steam vents and sulphur color the inside of this caldera on Nisyros. The island is still volcanically active, with steam vents in the caldera. The caldera on Nisyros is 3 kilometers long. The area is volcanically active with fumaroles, hot springs, and steam vents. The volcano last erupted in 1888. Souvenirs of Symi’s multi-colored doors. Souvenirs: Marionette from Santorini Souvenirs: Canned fruit from Sifnos Souvenirs: Sponges from Symi Souvenirs: Shoes from Symi St. John’s Monastery in Patmos. St. John is said to have written “Revelations” in a nearby cave. Mosaic at St. John’s Monastery on Patmos The arches of St. John’s Monastery on Patmos Arches are a theme in Byzantine church architecture. (Patmos) Church Bells on Patmos Byzantine frescoes fill St. John’s Monastery. Traditional Chios architecture features geometric motifs. In autumn, balconies are brightened by tomatoes hung for drying.
Woman n Chios The villagers in Chios were among the friendliest anywhere,
A street on Nisyros A planter on Chios
The cruise ship L’Austral can be seen in port in Patmos.
For more on Cruising the Greek Islands, see this review.
9 thoughts on “Cruising the Greek Islands: A Study Beyond Blue and White”
A vey nice balance of color, places and people.The Greek coastal cities and islands are my dream vacation trip.
Very very nice! (The blog’s great, and wow, the pictures!!) I’ve been briefly to Patmos, Rhodes, and Mykonos, and this makes me so want to go back again; I’d like to add a few days at Santorini, as well.
Oh, this is breathtakingly beautiful! Especially the Sifnos photos.
Reminded me of the days I spent in Santorini. Love the Greek islands!
What striking photos — I’ve cruised through the Greek islands and had forgotten quite how stunning the colors are. You’ve captured them beautifully.
Your photos are stunning, Karen, and bring back a lot of memories from my rambles in years past. Can’t wait to visit Greece again.
Gorgeous photos, Karen. As one who loves the Greek Isles (wrote several editions of the Fodor’s Guide) I salute you for capturing the beauty of these islands. I especially love Symi and Chios, and am happy to see them featured here.
Marvelous post of some excellent photos.
Beautiful…we leave for Athens, Santorini, katakolon, venice, Dub. Split, Rome in two weeks. Taking Canon 7d, 10-22, 24-105, and love to catch distant stuff with 100-400! Thanks so much for sharing! Ed
A vey nice balance of color, places and people.The Greek coastal cities and islands are my dream vacation trip.
Very very nice! (The blog’s great, and wow, the pictures!!) I’ve been briefly to Patmos, Rhodes, and Mykonos, and this makes me so want to go back again; I’d like to add a few days at Santorini, as well.
Oh, this is breathtakingly beautiful! Especially the Sifnos photos.
Reminded me of the days I spent in Santorini. Love the Greek islands!
What striking photos — I’ve cruised through the Greek islands and had forgotten quite how stunning the colors are. You’ve captured them beautifully.
Your photos are stunning, Karen, and bring back a lot of memories from my rambles in years past. Can’t wait to visit Greece again.
Gorgeous photos, Karen. As one who loves the Greek Isles (wrote several editions of the Fodor’s Guide) I salute you for capturing the beauty of these islands. I especially love Symi and Chios, and am happy to see them featured here.
Marvelous post of some excellent photos.
Beautiful…we leave for Athens, Santorini, katakolon, venice, Dub. Split, Rome in two weeks. Taking Canon 7d, 10-22, 24-105, and love to catch distant stuff with 100-400! Thanks so much for sharing! Ed