9-Nights Greece Deluxe: Athens, Paros, Naxos & Ios

Paros, Greek Isle

Paros is a pristine escape among the Cyclades, with terraced hills inland accented by windmills and a coastline rich with relaxed, comfortable and traditional Greek towns, of which Paroikia is the central port. This island capital is a labyrinth of white houses clustered around the extraordinary Ekatontapyliani - the Church of a Hundred Doors. Legend says there are 99 doors already discovered and upon finding the hundredth, Constantinople will be reunited with Greece. From antiquity, Paros has been known for its famed, translucent marble; such famous statues as the Venus de Milo was made from it. Also visit the Venetian castle, built on the site of an acropolis and steps away from the sea. From Paroikia you can also go to Naoussa, the Monastery of St John and Prodromos.

Ios

This Cycladic island 125 mi/200 km southeast of Athens is the place to go if you want a wild time in Greece. There are plenty of all-night bars and dance clubs to attract a young (ages 18-25) crowd. You won't be bothered by obligatory tours of cultural sites—there are none.

The island has 365 churches, one for every day of the year, as locals say. You will also find the tomb of Homer there, as the poet is said to have died on the island. During the summer, daily boat service operates from nearby islands and Piraeus.

Naxos

Naxos Island, the largest and most fertile island in Cyclades, is probably one of the most attractive and beautiful of the Greek Islands. It combines golden sands with mountain beauty. It is a popular destination and this is not a surprise with the great variety of things it has to offer to the visitor: impressive mountainous landscapes, endless golden sandy beaches with crystal waters, a beautiful Venetian capital and many traditional white painted villages, fishing harbours, Byzantine churches, ruins of ancient temples and an active nightlife. Large enough to be explored, Naxos promises unforgettable holidays.

Athens

Even though you've probably come here to see the "glory that was Greece," perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the superb statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum, allow some time to make haste slowly in Athens. Your best moments may come sitting at a small cafe, sipping a tiny cup of the sweet sludge that the Greeks call coffee, or getting hopelessly lost in the Plaka -- only to find yourself in the shady courtyard of an old church, or suddenly face to face with an ancient monument you never knew existed. With only a little advance planning, you can find a good hotel here, eat well in convivial restaurants, enjoy local customs such as the refreshing afternoon siesta and the leisurely evening volta (promenade or stroll) -- and leave Athens planning to return, as the Greeks say, tou chronou (next year).