Naxos awakens the poet within me once more. After so many years, she beckons me to describe my nostalgia and love for this island and its landscapes. Nostalgia is a bittersweet emotion — primarily filled with happiness and comfort, yet tinged with a hint of sadness. It’s this very feeling that inspired my return to my native island and village, where I founded ELaiolithos.
This is my hometown, nestled in the heart of Naxos, within the Drymalia valley. These are the roads and journeys I traversed during my childhood. I hope everyone can embark on numerous journeys throughout their lives, elevating themselves, pushing beyond the boundaries of the imaginable, and savoring the beauty of each experience. Personally, I believe few things in life are as transformative as the people and places you encounter while traveling.
Dreaming of visiting the Sahara Desert? Then head to Naxos and journey from Sagri to Agiassos. The landscape will transport you to the Sahara!
Dreaming of visiting Mexico or the Grand Canyon? Then come to Naxos and take the road from Potamia to Tsikalario. The lunar landscape will transport you, with huge rocks and stones creating a unique scenery reminiscent of the surface of the moon.
Naxos offers an abundance of experiences for its visitors. Each road presents a unique journey and inspiration to the traveler. Every path transports your mind and senses to distant lands, yet they all lead back to this wonderful island. In Naxos, simply glimpsing the surrounding countryside isn’t enough; you must immerse yourself, observe closely, and attempt to comprehend the sights before you. Only then can you truly feel the magic that surrounds you.
The barren, rocky landscapes of Naxos embody a unique blend of wild beauty and serene tenderness, juxtaposing greatness with sweet simplicity. Nature on the island has a way of touching you deeply rather than simply astonishing. It evokes vibrations rather than thrills, offering spontaneous and intense experiences. With its abundance of mountains—wild, imposing, yet enchanting—alongside scattered plains and isolated pockets of land, complemented by ubiquitous oleanders and light filtering through diverse landscapes, Naxos imparts a simple yet profound lesson in peacefulness to all who observe its splendor.
The beauty of Naxos is simple yet profound. It cannot be taught; it is spontaneous and intrinsic. Resembling the geometric precision of Euclid’s shapes, the leafy oleanders line numerous roads symmetrically, evoking a multitude of colors and emotions.
I believe Naxos is beautiful because it skillfully blends striking contrasts with a relaxed rhythm of life. There’s a ruggedness to the scenery that you can sense rather than simply see. Massive rocks, taking on countless shapes, resonate with familiar human experiences. Mountain ranges emerge side by side like pyramids under the blue sky, exuding a sense of perfect harmony.
Everything is interconnected. Travelers immerse themselves in sheer joy, savoring every moment they can. They delight in the island’s breathtaking vistas, admiring, analyzing, and absorbing them. Beneath Naxos’s wild natural beauty lies a captivating mystery, unraveling like a tapestry. This mystery frees the soul, infusing life with happiness. It emanates from the earth’s radiant light, resides within nature, and evokes timeless emotions that endure through the years.
Naxos exudes both purity and excitement, boasting secluded mountains and fragrant underbrush that glisten in the sunlight like precious jewels. Occasional solitary trees resemble human shadows, swaying in the wind akin to souls in motion.
In this island, you undergo personal growth. Its humble yet sacred nature deeply touches your soul and envelops you with its warmth. Each mountain evokes a unique emotion, transporting you to another dimension.
Experiencing this feeling requires a profound soul and a nimble mind. Yet, those who do will sip life itself and attain a precious ideal: an awareness of the earth. They will feel compelled to protect and preserve this sacred land. Here, time slows as you immerse yourself in the hinterland’s environment with all five senses.
That’s why travelers who visit Naxos are drawn back time and time again. These experiences inspire awe and respect in them.
Personally, I cherish these journeys. They delicately touch the heart and awaken the soul, remaining pure magic to me. They imbue a sense of freedom, allowing you to soar like a carefree bird. You’re filled with desires, living with the innocence of a child, laughing easily, and reveling in the beauty of life and creation. You perceive the world differently—seeing, hearing, and speaking with new clarity. Each journey expands your horizons; every kilometer resonates within you entirely.
And there’s even more waiting to be discovered and experienced! All you have to do is visit Naxos island.
Article written by Helen Marakis
