What hits you first is the sun on most Greek islands, reflecting off burnished rocks that paint a fuzzy peach on the horizon. On wildly beautiful Sifnos, it's the scent of orange-and-anise biscuits lingering through whitewashed paths; pockets of sage and oregano in wind-chiseled valleys; bursts of waves as sea urchins are cracked open, orange roe with salty fingers scooped up. Sifnos stands out for both its architecture and natural beauty. Formerly a flourishing area for gold and silver mining, it has developed a reputation for the finer things in life. The island today blends the picturesque with a rich heritage of cuisine and crafts. However, she still upholds a low profile that instills a sense of peace in the traveler, in harmony with its sophisticated culture and 'Cycladic chic' atmosphere.