Greece
The Night Starts Here

Calling it Little Venice doesn't quite cover it. True, the ancient buildings teeter precariously over the water. But not a lagoon. The water can be wild, more like the sea at Biarritz France, without the beach. The shoreline is rocky, like the New England coast. And how often do you see windmills in Venice? The windmills here, viewed all in a row, were once used to grind wheat.
So it's no surprise to find a bar in Little Venice that doesn't look like it comes from Venice, either. Its unique atmosphere is unlike most bars you'll find on the Greek island of Mykonos, for that matter. The Veranda Café and Cocktail Bar looks part Maine camp, part Turkish Den. It's a delightful place to have a drink.
Mykonos is a Greek island known for its nightlife and beautiful people. While we were there, the Buddah Bar at the Palace didn't really get going until 2 a.m. and the action continued through dawn. Typical of Mykonos' late night character. You can virtually miss the heartbeat of this island by going to bed too early!
But the Veranda beats to its own clock. Built in 1783, the old wooden edifice is a maze of private rooms, each with their own décor. The ceilings are high. The wooden floors are uneven. The artwork & furniture full of character. Outside, bistro chairs & tables are spread out over the slate terrace. The water always threatening to lick your heels at high tide.
But opt for the upstairs, and take the best seat in the house...on the verandah, of course. More like a 1920's New England camp porch (sans the big ol' pine trees around), it's the place to be for sunset over the water. It's a narrow wooden space, packed with little tables & chairs. The building's settled old-age offers a comforting respite from the clubs. It's a heady change from all the action. Here the sea is the show and not much else besides the good company you bring along & the charming staff. An intimate place to reflect and relax. And a great place to start your evening as the sun goes down.