Agios Prokopios

Nana and Pops were hoping to do some hiking during our time in Greece. In the weeks leading up to the trip, the deaths of 3 hikers on 3 different Greek islands made the international news, with the heat being a major factor. So I was apprehensive of embarking on anything too strenuous. We settled on a short hike leaving near Agios Prokopios, a chill beach that we sailed past on our sunset cruise. We thought google maps had led us astray after we turned onto sand and drove past some radioactive-looking red ponds, though we eventually found the parking lot. The winds had really picked up as we started along the cliff walk. When it was time to turn into the wind to continue the loop trail, I turned back with the kids and found us a spot on the beach while the others completed the hike. 

Beautiful views!

Blowing away!

Our first beach with a significance drop off and depth. The water on this trip was not warm, but still felt really good once you got in it. 

We returned home for lunch, pool, and relaxing time and then walked to a local taverna, Vlahos, in our small village. It gave us a chance to see our neighborhood blue-domed church up close. We were seated in an enclosed terrace and held our breaths as hurricane-force winds blew up the hillside. 

Deeply engrossed in Harry Potter

G&T time! 

We returned home for a beautiful sunset from our place and Eurocup! 

Chalki Town and Sunset at Agios Georgios Beach

We set out to do some exploring, driving to one of the interior villages, Chalki. Signs pointed to an old church, so we did a little walk out of town. Maeve was clearly pumped about the detour. 

Chalki town was small, but very cute. There was a taverna showcasing their meat roasted on a spit with a tree-shaded courtyard, which made the perfect lunch spot. Jude got rooster and really enjoyed it! 

We did some shopping and then found the local distillery, which had a quaint museum and tastings. 

The scenery on the drive home. 

Some afternoon pool and game time.

We headed into Naxos town for sunset at the beach. Agio Georgios was our spot 6 years ago and one of my favorite family photos was taken there as the sunset. After some sweet drip sand castles were made, we did our best to recreate the photo with some much bigger kids. Maeve says we have to come back in 6 more years. I told her she might need to hold me! 

Sunsets just go on and on in Greece! This was back at our place an hour after the sunset. 

Plaka Beach and Sunset Cruising

We had visited Naxos 6 years ago for 4 nights, and while we like to explore new places, we really enjoyed our first trip and were very excited to return. The kids were so little then that so we didn't get to explore much (and the exploring we did do was clouded by car sickness!). This time we had a whole week, a rental car, and some built-in babysitters. 

We had a lovely first day in Paradise! Tea and morning by the pool, lunch made by Maeve, games around the outdoor table, afternoon at Plaka beach, and evening sunset boat cruise with Pete. 

All my favorite blues

Agia Anna

We sailed for 2 hours up and down the Western coast as the sun dipped behind Paros. 

We made friends with 2 girls from CA and had fun getting to know them and talking about expat life.

A late dinner on the beach with the sunset that wouldn't quit. Living the dream! 

Meanwhile, back at home, Nana snapped some cute sunset picks of the kids. 

That's a framer!