Magic Flower of the Aegean: Paros Plaudits!

My wife and I have just recently returned from a two week holiday in Paros Greece during which time she fell and cracked a bone in her ankle, I had my wallet stolen on the train from Piraeus to Athens airport, and we just missed one of those ‘regular’ daylong strikes which often recently preclude travelers from using either boats or planes inside Greece. So I was it worth the hassle? You bet! We have been travelling to Greece on and off for over 30 years and Paros remains our favorite destination and we loved it. So we would and will go again even if we have to ‘crawl’ there!! It is difficult to explain it’s attractions to the uninitiated but I suppose you could best explain its charms by likening it to a unique flower. At first sight its landscape is like a small bud which may seem a bit like any other and even appear to be somewhat ordinary. However, as soon as the morning sun arises, this ordinary bud is transformed into a magnificent flower. Soon after dawn Paros is bathed in the most brilliant sunlight which seemed to enliven both landscape and people in a rapturous haze of brilliant light. The island itself and indeed the nearby island of Antiparos are transformed by this light so that even the most barren of hill features and the most mundane of cobbled alleyways are made radiant and beautiful When you combine this with fascinating walks along Byzantine routes going back centuries, beautiful unspoiled sandy beaches, lovely winding narrow alleys with whitewashed houses, blue domed churches set among cobbled streets in historic villages, an amazing array of flowers in full bloom, fish and farm produce made from the most natural unspoilt ingredients and finally a Greek island people of great kindness and warmth of feeling, you have the makings of an unrivalled holiday.

This year we stayed in the Lefkes Village Hotel in the centre of Paros, which combines lovely poolside opulence with an unrivalled panoramic setting in the centre of the Village and enjoys easy access for walkers to the Byzantine Way and indeed to many interesting old windmills and other interesting sights on nearby hills. Beaches throughout the island and indeed the unspoiled central villages of Prodromos and Marpissa can easily be reached on foot or by bus or taxi from Lefkes. As a contrast in style, we also spent a week in Nouassa where we stayed right beside the beach at the magnificently located Hotel Kalypso and enjoyed walks through the hillside village that runs down to the wonderful fishing harbour adorned with working boats which land and display their fine catch, notably of squid, each morning. From there we made some lovely day trips, notably to Paroikia, the scenic main port town, but also via Pounta to Antiparos Island. It is impossible for me to convey in words the splendour of the landscape or indeed the friendliness of its people, but I am including some sample photos with this post to try and convey some of its appeal to those who may not yet have visited. Thus, may I finish by restating my firm belief that few places truly compare to Paros for a lovely and interesting holiday.

So Go Greece, Go Paros and Go Wild!