Pretty, Pretty Paros

We rented a car for our entire stay on Paros as our hotel was not right in town as it was in Naxos. While we only went to one beach the whole time in Naxos, in Paros we made it to half a dozen and saw half a dozen more! We were really impressed on this island with the sheer number and beauty of the beaches, all easily accessible with short drives.

The landscape on Paros was much flatter, smaller (1/2 the size) and sun parched than Naxos. There were a lot of private villas all over the island and we found this island to be more expensive and upscale than Naxos (though that could have just been the places we ended up).

Our first day, we checked out Kolympethres Beach known for its rock formations. We got a late start due to a delayed rental car drop off so the sun beds were taken, but we found a shady spot under a tree to set up shop for an hour or so before finding lunch at the neighboring beach cafe. Despite zero waves and crystal clear water, Maeve was still reluctant so I eased her into the water by sitting with her on my lap with our legs in the water for a while until she got more comfortable. She ended up loving being in that water, especially when we would do the "washing machine" and dunk and spin her and Jude all around.

Super tranquil lunch setting, sort of made up for the incredibly slow service and melting down children.

After lunch, we made the drive all the way around the island while the kids slept. Beautiful beaches everywhere and some serious back roads. We got very excited to spend the next few days exploring! I even spotted some playgrounds! 

Post nap afternoon routine on Paros. Parenting realities!

The Croatian bar tender at the hotel was really sweet and recommended some child friendly places that she enjoyed taking her daughter to when she was younger. One was a beach with a very good Asian/Mediterranean fusion restaurant, Magaya, just 10 minutes south of the hotel. 

Neighboring beach also looked really lovely

Parking sign: It's all Greek to me! 

The idea was to keep the kids playing on the beach until the food arrived at the table, but they wanted to be at the table with me so that backfired. Pete and I scarfed down our grilled octopus, thai shrimp salad and sea bass while the kids shared yet another meal of pasta! 

The sunset and ambiance was really pretty though!

Pete imitating Maeve's "Noooo!"

All packed up, shutting down another beach! 

Full moon rising behind the harbor

Next Stop, Paros!

This trip was extra challenging to plan. Which Greek Islands to visit, in what order, for how long?What type of accommodation? Prioritize closeness to beach and living space or amenities like a swimming pool? We had one final morning at Naxos and it was so pleasant I was wondering why we were going through all of the trouble to pack up and leave to go to the next Island, Paros. And then we got to Paros and started exploring and were so happy to be there that it was worth the trouble. And again when we left Paros to go to Santorini.

We had a short 40 minute mid day ferry, that ended up being 2 hours delayed. But they didn't announce or post anything. You just get corralled in and when you think it is time to board they yell out that you are delayed 50 minutes. Then they tell you it will be another hour and you start to wonder if you are ever going to get off the island! This delay was minor compared to that first day drama and Maeve fell asleep in the stroller while I played Uno with Jude, with an incredible view so it was a rather pleasant way to spend two hours. And Pete got to go check out the Portara and take some cool pictures.

Last morning in Naxos paradise. 

Leaving our AirBnB

Super dad! 

Delay with a view!

Portara up close

We were picked up at the port in Paros and it felt so nice to be welcomed to our boutique hotel with fresh lemonade and a description of the island. The pool was really inviting and Jude and I floated around for a while. I managed to coax Maeve in for a short while, but she is not really a water baby (a genetic trait). 

Hotel was across the harbor from the port so we got to watch all of the big ferry boats come and go.

The small hotel had a restaurant and could also order in pizza and pasta from a nearby restaurant. Nice to get to stay in for dinner after a long day! Our evening routines here were to put the kids to bed around 9 and then settle in with wine and world cup in our adjoining room. 

Naxos Beach Day Take 2

Just another day at a beach, a gorgeous Greek beach. Our first beach day was a success so we replicated it and again spent all day at the Trata beach club. What we really loved about this trip was how safe the beaches were. We felt totally comfortable leaving our things on our sun beds and all swimming or playing down by the water. We left our towels and sand toys at our place all day after we went home for nap time and exploring town and returned later to have dinner and watch the sunset. The water was much calmer this day and just so clear and pretty!

We diversified and had lunch at a different beach club, which was the start of the many unruly meals to come. We think the kids were just really tired from the sun and from us trying to get them on a later schedule. So they were not on their best behavior when we would eat out. A lot of french fries and pasta was consumed on this trip just to keep the peace. Not our finest parenting moments, or finest dinning moments! 

We went home for nap time so the kids could get good sleep. Afterwards, we walked through Naxos town with two kids whining for popsicles! Town was super cute, though we didn't take the time to really explore it due to the aforementioned whining. We did stop to buy Uno though, which was a big win for the trip as Jude got really into it and I love playing card games.

"Where is the popsicle you promised?!"

Popsicles!

At the port in Naxos town is the Portara, the huge portal to the "hundred foot" Apollo temple that started to be built in 530 BC, but was never completed. We viewed it from a distance though Pete went up close to it during our ferry delay the following day. 

Then it was back to the beach, where the kids were happy once more. And I was happy with my 1/2 carafe of wine despite the judgey look I got when the waiter realized I was ordering for just myself. We had dinner at the beach club and shut that place down after the sunset. We played tag and "don't let the waves touch your feet," and our waitress who was watching us said as we were leaving that us playing together in front of the sunset was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. What a special complement for a special family moment.

The waitress got Jude to smile for the camera- she was a gem!