Greece 2012: Antiparos Town

Date: 27 June 2012

Location: Antiparos

Walkers: Helen

In the morning my friends caught the ferry back to Athens. I had a couple of extra days before I had to head home and so I also took a ferry - a short ride to the nearby island of Antiparos.




After checking into my room I made my way to the nearest beach, San Spiridon, just a short walk from my accommodation. Not the best beach for swimming as the sea is very shallow, but I lay in the sun and read my book.




Later on I walked into the main part of Antiparos town, passing a gaggle of geese that seemed to live right there on the beach.



It was lunchtime so I sat down and ordered some "Greek cousin".




Salad, some eggplant dip and delicious bread.



Then I meandered up and down the main pedestrian road through the town - lots of shops and wonderful restaurants.



I also took a turn around the harbour.




And then walked south of the town, past the windmill and church.



Here I found the main beach of Antiparos town which was lovely, a long stretch of sand and with great sea for swimming.


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Greece 2012: Exploring Paros VI

Date: 26 June 2012

Location: Paros

Travellers: Helen, Dom, Josie & Lloyd

This morning we went into Naoussa town for breakfast.



We shared a big omelette and a waffle. Yummy.




And then we walked around the town.




Lots of little fish in the harbour, nibbling on bread crusts.



The main sight in Naoussa is the remains of an old Venetian Fort dating from the 15th century. It is situated in the old port and is half submerged in the water.



We walked through the restaurant precinct on the quayside...



... and along a walkway to the fort.



From here we got great views of the harbour and the town.





We also walked up to the church on the hill.





In the afternoon we took a drive around the peninsula to the west of Naoussa.



We had lunch at a taverna at Kolimpithres...



... and some excellent swimming for the rest of the afternoon.


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Greece 2012: Exploring Paros V

Date: 25 June 2012

Location: Paros

Travellers: Helen, Dom, Josie & Lloyd

We left lovely Lefkes today, but not before one last stroll into the village...




... and juice, coffee and baklava at our favourite kafeneon under the trees.



We then drove to Naoussa, seaside town on the north coast of Paros, and checked into our little little apartment, our base for the next couple of days.



Naoussa is a popular holiday destination and seemed considerately more built-up than the other villages we'd visited on Paros.



Our accommodation was a ten minute walk away from the harbour and town centre.



We took a drive around the peninsula on the east of Naoussa. The coastline here was quite stark and rocky, the sea a brilliant blue.




Our lunch spot was in Ampelas, at a little taverna right next to the sea.



Delicious watermelon to share for afters.



After lunch we walked down to the beach at Ampelas and swam and sunbathed the rest of the afternoon away.




Later, in the evening, we walked into Naoussa. Very attractive harbour.



It amused me to see the cats waiting on the quayside - as the fishermen cleaned their nets they threw scraps to the hungry kitties.


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Greece 2012: Exploring Paros IV

Date: 24 June 2012

Location: Paros

Walkers: Helen, Dom, Josie, Lloyd & Christina

Our day started with another stroll through Lefkes village.








And then we moved on to a beach near Agia Irini on the west coast of the island, where we swam and chilled. It was a wonderful spot.





At lunchtime we had a feast at the tavera near the beach. It was a very low-key place but the food was outstanding.



Mmm... greek salad, fish, fried eggplant.




Later we headed into Parikia, the main town of Paros, and went to have a look at the Panagia Ekatontapyliani (the Church of 100 Doors). It dates back to the 6th century.



No much to see on the outside, but a beautiful dome and arches within.






We said goodbye to our friend Christina who had to head back to Athens via ferry, and then explored the town a bit more. Admired another church...






... caught the view down the coast...



.... wandered around the old town...





... and visited the Frankish Castle. This building built by the Venetians in 1260 using marble from ancient temples.




There was baklava in the bakeries and corn on the cob for sale.



We ended our walk at a little bar and had drinks as the sun set.



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