ParosParadiseOur experience will enhance yours

We have a great many pages about Paros and our life here as well as accommodations. The Paros Overview is probably the best place to start. Unless you want to be impressed by the many sandy beaches, each with their own character:  Paros Beaches 

Or take a look at Paros Activities

We have long considered Antiparos to be part of Paros so you can find information and photos throughout our Paros pages and posts.  This minimally developed Greek island is our favourite place to spend a Sunday afternoon, although you have to reach it by boat(that is part of the fun).  Antiparos is so thick in quaint atmosphere and ambiance that it will become your favourite as well.  See and read more

Photo by Hello Lightbulb on Unsplash

Consistently rated one of the top ten views in the world. Santorini is an easy journey from Paros–we highly recommend it. We found the Akrotiri ruins and the Folklore Museum (cave houses) quite interesting but prefer our sandy beaches to the red and black rock found here. Shopping here is upscale to most other islands–great window browsing! The accommodations with caldera view charge a hefty premium while the bars and restaurants with the same view are just a little more expensive, so we recommend staying at the beach or on the non-caldera side and eating and drinking while watching the sun set. It is a small island; two days seems to be plenty to take it all in.

Karin and I spent a delightful two days on Tinos. It was much different than our other Cyclades experiences, mainly we think, because it appears prosperous without tourism. Yet it receives substantial visitors as a major pilgrimage for the Orthodox church. Most of the population is in the main town which makes the whole rest of the island great for exploring, including maintained footpaths, a rarity on the islands. Our highlight was the unique village of Kardiani; it is a piece of history clinging to life on a steep hillside. It is difficult to put the sense of this pleasant island in words. So Karin has a very long account with more photos HERE

Everybody we know who has been here loves it. More green than the typical Cyclades and dramatic mountain vistas. For those who like to be off the beaten path–and consequently a little difficult to reach.

Read about our October visit. Includes photos

Naxos is much like Paros for sandy beaches, windsurfing, and friendly people.  Then you add the mountain scenery and hillside villages and it makes for exciting touring.  We tend to go for several days every year.  Here is one link to one of our jaunts; I will add others. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the west side of the island drive over to the small east coast village of Apollona and say hello to our long time friend Stamos who provides the best possible hospitality at the Adonis Hotel Finally Naxos in ancient times was considered blessed by the gods and certainly is currently has a great many ancient remains.  Learn more at our sister site:  Visit-Ancient-Greece

Sifnos is quite small and therefore easy access to all of its delightful villages. We highly recommend it as it may be Karin’s favorite. Read about our experiences and see plentiful photos starting on our

Sifnos page

Photo from the wanderingquinn.com

I have yet to get off the ferry at Mykonos, but Karin has. She says that it is a delightful island and that the Delos antiquities are very interesting. Yet the universal comment is that Mykonos is very touristy as well as expensive. It’s cosmopolitan reputation is supposed to stem from a history of fishing rather than farming and thus the locals were more traveled and more tolerant. In modern times this means it is a popular gay destination and noted for its glitzy nightlife and upscale dining. What I like best about Mykonos is that along with Tinos it blocks the worst of the Meltemi winds that come howling down from the North in July and August. These hot, dry winds of up to 35 knots per hour (40 mph) are caused by temperature differences between the hot land and cool water. They can be quite irritating . . . read more here on our blog

Twice now we have taken a short break from our paradise on Paros to Syros. Here is the last paragraph of the first report by Karin: Will I come back to Syros? A definite yes!! I am looking forward to returning with my scooter, taking the back roads over remote hillsides and deep valleys. I will watch for ancient ruins and look for an ancient cave. I want to visit those quiet little villages where shepherds still watch their sheep and goats. I want to see the gardens where the local fruits and vegetables are grown to sell in the big city of Hermoupolis. I will discover a people living a life that is still hard work but has its own sense of peace. I shall find that peace for myself in the warm sun with a blue sea beyond. Yes, the real Greek island beckons . . . Read the whole article Here

Oh to be young and foolish again. We could go to Ios and party like we used to, surrounded by everyone doing the same. Truly a fun place for those 25 and under.

Folegandros and Milos are two islands that many people want to visit after reading their descriptions in guide books. Few do, however, because the ferry schedules make it a very time consuming journey. Thus the islands continue to maintain their charm.

For our spring holiday in 2005 we went to Folegandros. After 6 hours on the ferry we could see our Aliki end of Paros just a nautical mile or two away (on clear days we can see Folegandros from our balcony).

The island was an interesting change from Paros as it is mostly mountainous and is noted for still using traditional methods of farming and handicrafts. The history is also different as it was un-populated for various long periods of the past. Not much was open during our April weekend visit but we enjoyed the dramatic scenery as we mo-peded up and down the hills.

This was just a ferry stop for us.  Definitely an island for those who want to be alone.

Take a look here.

Milos is the in the very southwest of the Cyclades and like at least two other islands claims to be the largest island of the group. Known as the “island of colours” it has maintained its charm by still being relatively remote—though during the summer there are several daily ferries from Piraeus. It is very time consuming, however, to include it in the same itinerary as Paros and most other popular Cyclades. The colours come not only from the sea and buildings as other islands but from the rich and varied rock formations that dominate the views. Some say that the volcanic island is still releasing fumes from the not too deep magma. You can get the facts at the Mining Museum of Milos, a modern facility that puts the geologic structure as well as the history of the people in perspective. Unless you are strictly a beach bum, this museum is a must see. The other activity that most people enjoy is a boat excursion around the island to get a sea level perspective of the colours and shapes of the landscape, as well as delightful coves that are only accessible by boat.

For more on Milos see the account of our June visit.