The fishing village of Naoussa is our home away from home on Paros. It is our favourite place in the world to holiday, relax and enjoy the sun. A walk around the village chatting to the locals we have grown to know makes us feel as though we actually live here. It is not as touristy as Santorini and Mykonos (although we really love both of these Islands) and as you walk through the many little laneways the atmosphere is vibrant and inviting. Brightly coloured flowers add to the ambience of this spectacular village.
We love to sit down at a cafe by the water and watch the fisherman untangling their nets and bringing in their catch of the day, hanging the octopus over a railing. Some mornings we check out one of the bakeries for freshly made bread for breakfast. One of our favourite times is enjoying a drink of an evening and watching the passing parade of tourists as well as locals. An eclectic range of visitors obviously enjoy this village as much as we do. Naoussa is for us the most beautiful relaxing village. Getting to know the local people and this exquisite village keeps drawing us back.
This is our fourth visit to Naoussa and this hotel. We decided to stay at Hotel Christina because of the great reviews on Trip Advisor and the proximity to the centre. We love it so much we are back here again this year for nearly four weeks. This delightful Hotel is located in a tranquil area of the village where you walk down some steps and two minutes later you are in the village square.
Thalia, her Mum Christina and Dad Nikos the lovely family who own the hotel make you feel at home immediately. This is a real family hotel, just gorgeous and the ambience reflects this in abundance. You can feel the Greek Island atmosphere everywhere.
There are 15 rooms in a lovely garden area with either a verandah or balcony, tradionally decorated and exceptionally clean. Our room has air conditioning, a fridge, balcony, comfortable bed, free and excellent wifi and tv (which we did not use, who needs tv in this beautiful setting) while being extremely good value for money.
So if any of you guys are looking for the "Greek Island Experience" this is the place to stay and the island that we would recommend, having visited quite a few others.
A delicious buffet style breakfast is available with home made jams, honey, fresh breads, croissants, eggs, meats, cheese, yoghurt, cake. Great value for 6 euros we could not eat lunch after having this yummy breakfast. The gardens are a delight with lots of flowers and trees and places to sit including a sun terrace with great sea views.
The service and attention are first class as nothing is too much trouble for this family who lovingly care for their guests wanting them to have a good holiday and go out of their way to make it happen. Thalia can arrange pickup at airport or port for a reasonable cost, our driver Antonas was waiting again this year when we arrived just great to be greeted as a friend after a tiring trip. There are several beaches close by, along with a great selection of restaurants, shops and small supermarkets.
Naoussa is a most beautiful area of Paros, exactly how you imagine a typical Greek Island to be with many local friendly people wishing you Kaleemera (good morning) or Kaleespera (good evening) when exploring the streets of this gorgeous village.
It is a long way from Australia but we will be back again to this little piece of paradise and Thalia, Christos and their gorgeous little daughter Christiana and Thalia's Mum and Dad Christina and Nikos. The family at this beautiful little hotel making us feel so like part of their family is the main reason we keep returning.
Thalia, her Mum Christina and Dad Nikos the lovely family who own the hotel make you feel at home immediately. This is a real family hotel, just gorgeous and the ambience reflects this in abundance. You can feel the Greek Island atmosphere everywhere.
There are 15 rooms in a lovely garden area with either a verandah or balcony, tradionally decorated and exceptionally clean. Our room has air conditioning, a fridge, balcony, comfortable bed, free and excellent wifi and tv (which we did not use, who needs tv in this beautiful setting) while being extremely good value for money.
So if any of you guys are looking for the "Greek Island Experience" this is the place to stay and the island that we would recommend, having visited quite a few others.
A delicious buffet style breakfast is available with home made jams, honey, fresh breads, croissants, eggs, meats, cheese, yoghurt, cake. Great value for 6 euros we could not eat lunch after having this yummy breakfast. The gardens are a delight with lots of flowers and trees and places to sit including a sun terrace with great sea views.
The service and attention are first class as nothing is too much trouble for this family who lovingly care for their guests wanting them to have a good holiday and go out of their way to make it happen. Thalia can arrange pickup at airport or port for a reasonable cost, our driver Antonas was waiting again this year when we arrived just great to be greeted as a friend after a tiring trip. There are several beaches close by, along with a great selection of restaurants, shops and small supermarkets.
Naoussa is a most beautiful area of Paros, exactly how you imagine a typical Greek Island to be with many local friendly people wishing you Kaleemera (good morning) or Kaleespera (good evening) when exploring the streets of this gorgeous village.
It is a long way from Australia but we will be back again to this little piece of paradise and Thalia, Christos and their gorgeous little daughter Christiana and Thalia's Mum and Dad Christina and Nikos. The family at this beautiful little hotel making us feel so like part of their family is the main reason we keep returning.
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Kalypso Cafe & Bar on the waterfront is a great favourite for a snack, drink or coffee. Their club sandwiches would have to be among the best anywhere and they do a great greek salad. One of the reasons we enjoy dropping in there so often is the service from Vasiliki the girl who is the waitress there,a student from Athens, she is just so professional efficient and friendly. |
Wandering around Naoussa village we discovered this patisserie with beautiful cakes and desserts.
In 1967 when there weren't any tourists on Paros only the native inhabitants and a few holiday makers the Hamilothoris family decided to open the first patisserie on Paros.
A lot of things were necessary in order to create this patisserie, not only the know how and desire but the basic necessities and infrastructure such as electricity, water, telephone and transport in order to be connected with Athens. At the time all these facilities did not exist, conditions were quite primitive, despite all these issues they remained dedicated to their task and were rewarded for their dedication.
Over time the family created a contemporary patisserie with skilled staff, hygienic conditions, and excellent quality materials a business they are very proud of. The family now have the cake shop run by Mum and Dad, the cafe run by daughter Maria and her husband Marcos and the factory and shop run by their son. They now present an endless variety of quality cakes and desserts equal to any you will find anywhere. They have received international awards for their efforts.
The almond and honey tarts and the mille feuilles, lemon meringue tarts, strawberry tarts and traditional Greek desserts and sweets are all divine.
In 1967 when there weren't any tourists on Paros only the native inhabitants and a few holiday makers the Hamilothoris family decided to open the first patisserie on Paros.
A lot of things were necessary in order to create this patisserie, not only the know how and desire but the basic necessities and infrastructure such as electricity, water, telephone and transport in order to be connected with Athens. At the time all these facilities did not exist, conditions were quite primitive, despite all these issues they remained dedicated to their task and were rewarded for their dedication.
Over time the family created a contemporary patisserie with skilled staff, hygienic conditions, and excellent quality materials a business they are very proud of. The family now have the cake shop run by Mum and Dad, the cafe run by daughter Maria and her husband Marcos and the factory and shop run by their son. They now present an endless variety of quality cakes and desserts equal to any you will find anywhere. They have received international awards for their efforts.
The almond and honey tarts and the mille feuilles, lemon meringue tarts, strawberry tarts and traditional Greek desserts and sweets are all divine.