Our Greek Isle
By Michael Shepherd, Thu Dec 8th

Our Island, Paros

As one reads the guide books or browses the travel sites it iseasy to become confused about the character of the Cycladicisland of Paros, Greece. Because it has more ferry traffic thanany other island --due to being between Athens and the wellknown islands of Mykonos and Santorini—everyone who visits thearea has been to Paros. Yet each beholder sees a differentaspect. The superficial don’t get past the rock & rolling beachclubs or the harbour drive full of restaurants and bars. Some,especially those with young families, pass through to theadjacent isle of Antiparos which is well known for its quiet,laid back, small scale village lifestyle. It is also a favouritespot for Scandinavians who like the nude beaches found there.For the adventure seekers who wish to stay on Paros we recommendtaking the first day to circle the island—non-stop it can bedone in less than hour, but that is not the way to sample itsjoys. There are far too many sandy beaches to enumerate so thevisitor has too look a few over and decide if he wants a smallcove all to himself , a wider stretch with a small taverna and afew other people or the big Golden Beach with hotels, cafes,windsurfers, waterskiing, etc. Except that is not a necessarydecision because a little further around the island at SantaMaria you can find all three types in close proximity. Paros hastwo towns and numerous villages. Parikia is the port city andcommercial hub; Naoussa the up-scale tourist haven around apicturesque fishing harbour. Piso Livadi is the archetypicalMediterranean village while it is said about

Aliki at theundeveloped south end of the island, “Not many people find theirway here, but those who do, don’t want to leave.” Perhaps weshould also visit some antiquities as well. That is easy as youcan’t go anywhere without stumbling over or running into ruinsfrom either ancient Greece or the Venetian period about 1,500AD. One of the best views is from a partially rebuilt Mycenaeansite from about 1,500 BC. Behind the main supermarket in Parikiais an excavated ancient pottery factory. Our major Orthodoxchurch, Ekatontapyliani, has plexiglas floor inserts so you cansee the ancient temple over which it is built. For the activityholiday we have horse-riding, yoga clinics, painting and cookingcourses, bicycling, hill walking, etc. Of course there is everywater sport that you can imagine. Ever heard of kite boarding?Paros is the Greece capital for that sport. Scuba diving,snorkeling and sailing opportunities abound. This shortdescription of Paros has not included the vast array of artgalleries, wineries and the like. We have also selfishly notmentioned our favourite spots, but if you come visit us, we willshare our pieces of paradise with you.

Michael Shepherd

http://ParosParadise.com

About the author:An American-Irish expatriate couple share their Greek islandexperience by offering lodging and information including mapsand photos. They provide content and links for Paros, theCyclades, Greece and the world of living abroad.