Mykonos
Mykonos is one of those Greek islands that has somehow managed to become famous for almost everything except being a Greek island.
It has the sunshine, the blue sea, whitewashed buildings, little fishing boats, narrow lanes and windmills that you expect from Greece. But it also has luxury hotels, designer shops, expensive restaurants, beach clubs, superyachts and enough people posing for photographs to make you wonder whether anyone actually came here for a holiday.
And then there are the prices.
Mykonos has acquired a reputation as the playground of the rich and famous, and unfortunately it seems to have decided that ordinary tourists should be allowed to play as well, provided they bring a very large wallet.
That said, underneath all the glamour and commercialism there is a genuinely beautiful island.
Mykonos Town
Mykonos Town, or Chora, is the heart of the island and is exactly what you expect a Greek island town to look like.Whitewashed buildings, brightly painted doors, tiny chapels, narrow cobbled streets and colourful flowers all compete for attention. The streets twist and turn in seemingly random directions, which is partly deliberate.
The narrow lanes were originally designed to confuse pirates.
Nowadays they mainly confuse tourists.
It's very easy to walk around in circles in Mykonos Town, although that's not necessarily a bad thing. Every wrong turn seems to produce another pretty little street, another tiny church or another photograph that looks as though it came straight from a Greek tourist brochure.
The difference between Mykonos and some of the less fashionable Greek islands is that almost everything here looks remarkably well cared for.
The houses are pristine, the streets are generally clean and the whole place has a polished appearance.
Perhaps that's because somebody knows that a wealthy tourist might be looking at it.
Little Venice
One of the most famous parts of Mykonos Town is Little Venice.
The colourful houses are built right on the edge of the water, with balconies hanging over the Aegean. It is undeniably attractive and one of the best places to sit with a drink and watch the sun go down.
Of course, sitting in Little Venice comes with a price.
Quite literally.
You aren't simply paying for the drink. You're paying for the view, the location, the atmosphere and probably the privilege of occupying a chair that has been polished by someone earning considerably less than the person sitting in it.
Still, sometimes you have to accept that you're on holiday.
Order the drink.
Enjoy the view.
Try not to think about the bill until you've finished it.
The Windmills
The famous windmills overlooking Mykonos are another of the island's iconic sights.They date back to the days when Mykonos relied heavily on wind power to grind grain, although today their principal purpose appears to be providing a background for photographs.
They are particularly attractive around sunset and provide one of the classic Mykonos views.
And yes, you will probably take a photograph.
Everybody does.
The Beaches
Mykonos has some excellent beaches, although exactly what you think of them may depend on your idea of a relaxing day by the sea.
There are quieter beaches, but there are also beaches that have become synonymous with music, beach clubs, cocktails and parties that appear to continue long after sensible people have gone to bed.Paradise Beach and Super Paradise are probably the best-known examples.
If you like loud music, expensive drinks and the idea of turning a day at the beach into a nightclub without a roof, you'll probably love them.
If your idea of a perfect beach is a quiet stretch of sand, a good book and the sound of the sea, you might want to look elsewhere.
Fortunately, Mykonos does have alternatives.
There are quieter beaches where you can actually hear yourself think, although naturally the word "quiet" is relative on an island that attracts this many visitors.
Ano Mera
If Mykonos Town begins to feel like too much, head inland to Ano Mera.It is a much quieter settlement and gives you a glimpse of a more traditional side of the island.
The Panagia Tourliani monastery is the main attraction, and the village square has a selection of tavernas where you can enjoy a meal without having to watch a superyacht owner being served something you've never heard of and couldn't afford anyway.
Ano Mera is a useful reminder that Mykonos isn't entirely about nightlife and luxury.
There is a real island here underneath it all.
The Food
Greek food remains one of the great pleasures of visiting Mykonos.You can find all the usual favourites: souvlaki, moussaka, grilled fish, Greek salad, feta, olives and fresh seafood.
The quality can be excellent.
The prices can also be excellent.
Unfortunately, "excellent" isn't necessarily the word you'll use when the bill arrives.
Mykonos is one of those places where you need to check the prices before ordering, particularly around the harbour and the fashionable areas.
A simple meal can quickly become considerably less simple when the bill arrives.
Nightlife
Then we come to the reason many people actually visit Mykonos.
The nightlife.
Mykonos has been famous for its clubs and parties for decades and has developed into one of Europe's premier destinations for people who don't consider midnight particularly late.
Beach clubs can carry on throughout the day and into the evening, while the bars and clubs in Mykonos Town take over later.
If you enjoy nightlife, you'll be spoilt for choice.
If you don't, you may find yourself wondering whether the entire island has forgotten that some people actually enjoy going to bed.
Fortunately, outside the main party areas it is perfectly possible to escape much of the noise.
So, Is Mykonos Worth Visiting?
Yes, but with a qualification.Mykonos is beautiful.
There is no getting away from that.
The architecture is lovely, the beaches are excellent, the sea is gorgeous and Mykonos Town is one of the prettiest island settlements in Greece.
But it is also expensive, busy and highly commercialised.
If you want traditional Greek island life, there are plenty of places that will give you a more authentic experience for considerably less money.
If you want a mixture of spectacular scenery, beaches, nightlife, luxury and a little bit of celebrity glamour, Mykonos is difficult to beat.
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