Paros Page 3

Valley of the Butterflies

Southwest of Parikia, 6km by bus or or motorcycle, is the Valley of the Butterflies. Go in the early morning in July and August to see the butterflies (fee).

The valley is cool and refreshing, even when the butterflies are not there.

 

 

 

Naoussa: Paros' Secondary Port

Developmentaly, the small, traditional, laid-back fishing village of Naoussa, 10 km north of Paroikia, has retained much of its innocence. It remains among the loveliest villages in the Cyclades.

Naoussa still retains much of its traditional architecture in the form of two-storied, white-washes houses with carnation and bougainvillea covered balconies. Naoussa is the first place where the Greek government clamped down on shoddy building, a dubious claim to fame. Its intriguing medieval castle is in ruins and half submerged by the sea. Built by the Somaripa family (1386-1516) the sunken stone work provides an romantic background for the harbours blue and white fishing boats.

In season Naoussa becomes the cosmopolitan haunt of the upwardly and nautically mobile jet setters. You may see anyone here from Sting to 'Proletar' from Albania. Cosmopolitan, but expensive, stylish cafe-restaurant-bars compete for your recreational dollars.

 

 

The islanders re-enact their battle against Barbarossa on August 23 in the Naoussa harbor. One hundred torch-lit boats fill the harbor for the re-enactment. Naturally, there is music, dancing and a party scene after the battle.

Naoussas harbor is an ideal places to read the latest foreign papers over an omelette of feta cheese and people watch. The blue-domed Byzantine Museum is up from the central square. There's also a small Folklore Museum with regional costumes.

There are great and popular beaches for all tastes in and around Naoussa. Some are long and wide, some are small and cozy and several have special activities to offer (for example Wind Surfing and Scuba Diving).

 

 

Some beaches are quiet and with very shallow water, ideal for families with young children, some offer concerts and beach parties and one allows nude bathing. The best is Kolimvythres, which has unique rock formations. You can snorkle at Monastiri, plus they have some popular clubs there. There's good windsurfing on the eastern headland at Santa Maria. All the beaches are reachable by road or caique. There is also a very good & frequent bus service, so you can move back to Parikia easily or visit other parts of the island. During the high season, the buses even run all through the night!

 

 

Drios

At a distance of twenty kilometers from Parikia lies the seaside village of Drios (alternate spelling Dryos), at the very southern most tip of the island. Drios is a picturesque little village with plentiful vegetation, surrounded by sandy beaches ideal for relaxation and swimming. In Drios you can find small hotels and rooms to let, built with traditional cycladic style, in complete harmony with the landscape. Throughout the area there are tavernas, restaurants, music bars, watersports like scuba-diving and windsurfing. Look for the ancient trenches carved in the seashore rocks, used to haul up the boats for repair or sheltering. Although it attracts many tourists during the summer months Drios is never really crowded. It's a good place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the landscape along with the clear waters.

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