Aegea Blue Cycladic Resort ★★★★

The Greek Island of Andros is relatively unknown and is often overlooked in favour of its more popular counterparts, but I was looking forward to getting to know this undiscovered part of Greece. As the closest Cycladic Island to Athens it’s so easy to get to, but that wasn’t the main reason to go there, for me. Like much of Greece, Andros savours a rich and gregarious history. Plenty of age-old narratives flow through its fresh water springs, and, mythically, it was the home of Dionysus, an ancient god who turned water into wine.

Tucked away in a haven of golden sands and cobalt waters, Andros boasts an almost surreal natural beauty – sweeping mountains, wild coastlines, and never-ending views are pretty much standard. It’s also home to an unspoiled culture, both traditional and new; historical monuments hark back to times-gone-by whilst international modern art museums pack a punch in the present day.

It was the Aegea-Zorgos bay that piqued my interest. Set in the North-East of the island in the scenic foothills of Vryokastro Castle and surrounded by the local river, Aegea is the epitome of holiday heaven.

With thoughts of ancient gods mingling with new-age culture, I checked into the Aegea Blue Cycladic Resort which languishes on the soft-sand beach of the bay. The building itself is the product of careful research undertaken by the best Greek architects. Together they visualised a potted village with 24 luxurious villas speckled around the landscape. To tie into the rich history of Aegea and Andros, the layout represents the style of traditional ship villages – there are quaint central squares tucked away beneath sprawling viewpoints, flower-laden pathways, and even an amphitheatre in true Greek style. The complex is focused around a communal area, much like the market towns of ancient civilisations, with bars, restaurants, and a swimming pool taking centre stage.

But independence and privacy is the ultimate aim of the game. Each villa is perched in a secluded spot, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. My villa hovered on the crux of old and new; inside, the décor was a contemporary, stylish affair, with white-washed walls, sleek furniture, and all the modern-day amenities you could ask for. This luxurious interior was contrasted against the ancient rock formations and historic timeline that imbued the landscape outside – a landscape that was well within my reach from the sumptuous seating of my private terrace.

This hidey-hole of relaxation was exactly what I was looking for, but I also enjoyed the community feel of the resort. In the evenings, I’d head over to the bar-restaurant and tuck into mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine under the watch of the stars and overlooking the meander of the river. Then, after a few local cocktails, the amphitheatre would provide entertainment in the form of a concert or a dance. For a moment I’d feel like a toga-clad Greek goddess from a civilisation that has long since passed. But I’d return to my villa and be reminded that I was very much a part of the twenty-first century.