36 The largest of the Cyclades Islands, Naxos has high mountains, fertile valleys, lush green gorges, stunning seascapes and traditional villages perched high on mountain tops, where the inhabitants still wear their traditional dress and live off the fruits of the land. Naxos is also home to beautiful old churches, monasteries and Venetian castles coexisting harmoniously with the Cycladic architecture. Chora, the capital of Naxos, whose landmark is an imposing Venetian castle, is a medieval town with stone paved alleys. (known as kalderimia in Greek) where you can admire a unique blend of Cycladic and Medieval architecture: mansions with Venetian blazons still decorating their entrances, narrow arched alleys (known as stegadia in Greek), catholic churches and fortifications. Naxian Collection A member of Small Luxury Hotels of theWorld St Prokopios, Naxos Stone pathways curve through serene gardens. Old cedar trees rub shoulders with contemporary marble sculptures. White sugar-cube villas glint in the sunlight. Your welcoming hosts are the family that created the Naxian Collection – a chic cluster of retreats in perfect harmony with their natural setting. The lobby bar and restaurant looks across the sea to Naxos town. Sit here and sip wine, see the cellar where it came from – and even the family’s vineyard that provided the grapes. The olive oil you dip your just-from-the-oven bread comes from their centuries-old groves. If you want to cook yourself, pick up a basket and gather organic produce from the Naxian Collection garden. You can even join a class to learn the art of island cuisine. Or simply relax your cares away beside a pool.
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