This is the amazing view from the top of where once stood a grand marble temple to Apollo and Artemis, across the bay from Parikia in Paros. You really feel like you are at the centre of the Cyclades from this point, able to see the islands of Delos, Mykonos, Naxos, Syros and Sifnos appearing in the haze of the afternoon sun.

It was a bit of a walk to get up here, mainly because Google maps shows roads that have been closed off by new hotels or otherwise don’t exist. There is also absolutely nothing to see archaeologically, all the marble having been re-used in other buildings through the centuries and the temple structure itself was completely destroyed by pirates in the 17th century.

The importance of Apollo and Artemis on the Cycladic islands cannot be underestimated – it was believed that they were born on the nearby island of Delos, imbuing all the islands with a mystical importance of association and centres of cult practice. The hills with fantastic views such as these guided mariners on their journeys and their pilgrimages to such important religious sites.