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Winter programme 2011/12
Our winter programme is from the beginning to November 2011 to the end of March 2012.
Winters in Naxos are fairly mild, with temperatures during October and November ranging between 17C - 20C. The coldest months are January and February, with lows reaching 13C on average, sometimes dipping as low as 7C. Rainfall is fairly infrequent. December and January see the most rain, with an average of 12 rainy days a month. During the winter, Naxos still receives an average of 3 hours of sunshine every day.
Winter is the best time of the year for walking, bird watching, admiring the natural beauty of the island, exploring archaeological sites, visiting the island's wealth of Venetian towers and Byzantine churches, and enjoying February's Carnival Season.
We provide guests with detailed information about the various activities available, including:
Self guided walking/treking using detailed maps/guides (with GPS data) supplied by us (GPS devices supplied if required)
Visit and take part in the work of local cheese, raki and honey makers and taste the products
Horse riding
Visits to archaeological sites and Byzantine churches
Visits to local makers of ceramics and emboidery
Visiting local marble and emery mines
Greek cookery lessons from a local chef
Recommended Village and Chora (main town) restaurants and bars open during the winter months
Carnival time (Apokries) – In 2012 Apokries runs from Sunday 5th February to Sunday 26th February
The carnival season in Greece is also known as the Apokriés. The festivities originated in ancient Greece, in honour of Dionysus (Bachus), the god of wine and joy, and celebrated the end of Winter.
One of the season's high points is Tsiknopémptẽ ("Smoke Thursday"), when celebrants enjoy roast beef dinners at tavernas or friends' homes; the ritual is repeated the following Sunday. The following week, the last before Lent, is called Tyrinē ("cheese week") because eating meat is not allowed, but dairy products are. The Great Lent begins on “Clean Monday”, the day after "Cheese Sunday".
Throughout the carnival season, people disguise themselves as maskarádes ("masqueraders") and engage in pranks and general revelry. On Naxos Apokries reaches a crescendo on Sunday the 26th of February. In the evening there are parades throughout the island towns and villages. The largest is in Chora and it begins at the top of the town next to the Kastro and snakes down through the narrow streets before makings its way along the Paralia at which point the revelers are supplied with copious amount of raki laced with honey. There are fireworks, fancy dress parties and different kinds of revelry in the bars and clubs throughout the town.
[Please note that the pool is closed during the winter period].
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