If the dictionaries were photographs, next to the word 'Cyclades' there should be a picture of Paros. This at least is the first thought I made visiting the island. And if we agree that synonyms of the Cyclades is lamperoteros sun Greece, katagalanes beaches, whitewashed houses, the blue domes in chapels, the narrow paved alleys and… the avgoustiatika meltemia, then the island is typical sample of our favorite islands.
An article - and two, and three-are hard to gather all those for which no one deserves to visit the island of Paros. It is one of the islands in the 195 sq km has managed to fit what «fit» all Cyclades together. Mountain and coastal villages, peaceful, alternative and cosmopolitan ports, beaches with sand and pebbles, with green slopes and cliffs, ancient history and attractions, culture and civilization, but above all warm, hospitable local people with smiling faces.
Let's take But from the outset. And the authority for each traveler in Paros is the capital and its port, Parikia. Directly related to the sacred jewel of the island, the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, Parikia named the Byzantine era when the church was as koligous (paroikous) many residents of Paros.
In Parikia, the visitor has access to every service and activity. Bank branches, tourist offices, health centres, but also countless hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars to ensure all the amenities a modern city can offer.
One attraction is the Parikia alone, especially the old part of town around the castle with neoclassical mansions, the gefyrakia and fountains, quaint little shops. However, it is important to visit the Archaeological Museum with sculptures of Archaic and classical times and finds from the Neolithic years already, and the ancient cemetery with the team tomb dating from the end of the 8 th century. BC, which lies on the coastal road near the port.
The church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, as mentioned, however, is the registered trademark of the island. We have to built the 4 th century, when - according to the history-the St. Helena traveling to the Holy Land, stopped in Paros and prosefchithike the small temple then making tama find whether the Fair Cross to build on the position of a large church. Larger, however, interest has the name 'Ekatontapyliani', which prosdothike the temple during the Ottoman and has to do with the motto: «Ninety-nine open the doors Katapoliani. The hundred is closed and does not appear. It appears the door is open and when the Greeks take the town. »Rather, therefore, will not ever see…
As long as we're still in Parikia, do not forget to make a trip to the alleys and aniforisete in St. Constantine, called Castro. There will enjoy the view drinking a cocktail in «Evino», while romantic will engage in photography terrible sunset . Those who know, however, choose to drink coffee and to see the sunset from the mill in Bountaraki. The evening, indeed, invaded part of the world so that the table is… finding treasure hunting!
And after nychtosame useful is to make a list of parties who must visit for food and drink in Parikia. Starting: The first afternoon coffee you will drink in one of the seaside shops «Istio», «Meltemi» or «Enigma», which converted the evening chill out in bars. In the cafe «the Floisvos», recently renovated, tried the best homemade desserts tapsiou, highlights the kantaifi and ekmek, while «Italia Ice Cream», beneath the castle, will enjoy a traditional Italian ice cream.
Depending on your appetites, the evening meal you can enjoy it, inter alia, the «Perigyro», if ligourefteite genuine Greek souvlaki in La Pasteria, which just opened, or 24-hour «Tartine» with the awful and huge hamburger and club sandwich (the xenychtides know well). For beverage and loose situations prefer the bars «Alga» and «Kialoa». Finally, after the port, in Livadia, will find the popular café and 2 Onar summer cinemas ( «Rex» in regional and Parikia «Paros» near the port).
It may indeed be the Parikia is the capital of the island, truly cosmopolitan part, however, is at the northern tip and is Naoussa. And if the small, picturesque port and you fill the eye, imagine that the traditional fishing village that has the largest fishing fleet in the Cyclades. The witness also the countless psarokaika which strimochnontai on wharves.
The Naoussa will choose to stay those who love lively nightlife. The paved alleys that day invite the peripatiti seeking the traditional and beautiful, the night trizoun beneath the psilotakouna and podovolito of nearokosmou which spefdei be flooded the bars. Which is better? Take paper and pencil: «As light» (terrible strawberry daiquiri), «Agosta» (music from other eras), «Barbarossa» (mainstream Greek and foreign-if you manage to get…), «Linardo» ( clubbing until the first light of the sun), «Shark» (our favourite), but also «Briki» and «Red» with terrible tables on the sea and extremely cocktails.
As for food, where to start? Visit certainly the beautiful garden of the restaurant «Pervolaria» (tel. 22840 51721) and try the risotto with chicken and vegetables. In the port «play» the taverns popular with those of «Barbarossa», we, however, preferred the ouzeri «the Mariners», because there fagame better fur (local edesma with liasto fish) and reasonable prices. Tapsiou prefer the sweet «Chamilothori» in the central square, while the alleys of Naoussa will discover some exceptional kreperi, and a huge queue to be waiting for spitikous loukoymades with ice cream! The words are unnecessary…
Let's go now for a cool dip? You, however, will not hit as we… What do we mean? Will you tell everybody to go to the bathroom Kolimbithres and the monastery. Do not go! Unless you like the bays of questionable purity, with valtodi beach, five rows from pyknotopothetimenes sunbeds and sea variesai eventually voutixeis because we have not ever deepening, the beaches are not suitable for relaxed, pleasant bathroom.
Of course, whatever you say to us, it is clear that they will finally get to see the famous Punda Beach. Fovera party, xefrenos dance, drink plenty of them do not newer xekollane from there with nothing! The only bad thing is that people there is so much that sunbeds, side by side, almost akoumpane water, and thus the only passage to the beach is… over them.
To get there, however, in the Gold Coast with huge sand and beach bar, which, thanks to the rich - though the tsimpimeno-list, you will appreciate when they feel a ligoura. To go to Santa Maria with that all year round wave to attract wind surfers. If you have means of transport to go to Faragka, in the southern tip of the island. Have you seen the «Big Blue»; could have been shot there: Looking at the horizon we will see is a thin line that separates (or united?) Sea and sky. The beach has a few pebbles, but water is… to pieis the glass!
Wild beauty will meet also with lesser-known beaches Molos, Tsoukalia and Glyfades. On that side indeed, particularly in Kalogeros beach, the mountains are filled with clay. Cover your body and your hair with mud from clay and leave them little time to dry after xeplytheite seawater. Will you make the best natural spa you can imagine and feel your skin more soft than ever. Truth! The tried!
Opposite the port of Parikia is astonishing that Ram beach - although approached by car-we recommend you to visit the boat (the latter returns at 7.00 pm). Equally good and is regulated beach Martsello with a coffee bar sympathestato , Drink and food. Parasporo campers prefer, but whether it has air - which is unlikely-far better to avoid, both within the St. Irene with two tavernoules, one better than the other.
At the end of that road will find its port Pounta. From there you can pass on to the boat carrying Antiparos, indeed, your car (as opposed to the boat leaving the central port). Very good restaurants and you will find in Punta charaktiristikoteri with the «View». If the way you draw on the beach of Salt Lake, then an attitude of the oven Agkairias and obtain the best nuts, and voutimata kouloyrakia of the island. While after the swim sit there and do not even think about it, for lunch at «Manolis». There will try everything to draw your appetite: From pizzas and makaronades until cod skordalia. Secret (do not know many): Behind the port of Salt Lake, there is a hidden, but even better beach.
The intense pace of Paros general decline in other villages. Ambelas, a picturesque fishing village east of Naoussa is offered for lunch after a swim in the graceful fish restaurants on the beach. Prefer the «Damiano», the «Margarita», the «Christiana »(For astakomakaronades) and« Thalami ». At an altitude of 250 measures, in the center of the island, will find Lefkes. A picturesque village, built the 16 th century by Cretans and Peloponnisious refugees and locals, which deserves to go for walks around the narrow streets, visiting museums and folklore of the spoon sweet traditional cafe in the square.
The ride your island will be completed only if they pass by villages and Prodromos Marpissa and end up in Naoussa, with the beautiful port regularly visited the «Skopelitis», the boat joining the Cycladic island of Paros with other islands. This is the ideal place for relaxation, tranquility and good food…. Choose one of the seaside tavernas with the exceptional ouzomezedes and drink your coffee in «Ostrako».
Our trip to the island will stop here. You'll receive the torch, suggesting your ideal accommodation for a stay, but all relevant sites with additional information about the island and you kouname nostalgika the scarf. Not zilefoume, however. Paros enters anyway in the list of islands visited one more than once.
Accommodation in Paros:
* Stelia Mare Boutique Hotel, in Naoussa. Minimal decoration and a deep water point in each side. Prices: from 110 euro for a simple double to 185 euros for a suite of two persons, including breakfast (Tel 22840 28888).
* Lefkes Village, 10 kilometers from Naoussa. Amphitheatrically built on Lefkes, the beautiful mountain village of Paros. Ideal for families. Prices: from 90 euros a double with breakfast (Tel 22840 41827).
* Astir of Paros, in Naoussa. Giant garden of grass and palm-trees. The children will latrepsoun child pool. Prices: from 185 per double room with breakfast (Tel 22840 51976).
* Heliessa, in Naoussa. For the very romantic, very good prices by 50 per double room with breakfast (Tel 22840 52537).
