Antiparos, the island in Greece, about the beaches, hotels, with many pictures and lots of information

<XMP><BODY></xmp> Antiparos, the island in Greece, about the beaches, hotels, with many pictures and lots of information

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Antiparos	Antiparos 2004	Antiparos History	Antiparos Beaches	Naturist Beaches	Antiparos Restaurants	Antiparos Hotels
Antiparos 2006	Antiparos 2009	Antiparos Cave	Antiparos Sea Caves	Despotico Excursion	Antiparos Travel	Antiparos Real Estate

The island of Antiparos - an introduction

The island of Antiparos is located southwest of Paros, from which is divided by a shallow and about 4 metres deep channel. Because it is so undeep the big ferries have to sail around Antiparos instead of in between Paros and Antiparos. The island covers an area of 35 square kilometres, and because of its long shape it has 57 kilometres of beautiful coasts. When we arrived on Antiparos for the first time we were there for a daytrip, but as soon as we sat down we both had the same feeling of 'we are home'. Eversince that day it has been on our menu when we go islandhopping in Greece. A holiday just wouldn't be complete without it, so I have to go there at least once, but preferably twice a year (or more!). It has become my favourite island of all the Cyclades. We go to Antiparos every year and meet with our friends Simon and Clare and their kids, to relax and to eat. There's a restaurant situated on both sides of the main road, called taverne Yorgis, that's just fabulous. The food is always tasty and the daughter and son (Garifalia and Bennos) that work outside on the terrace ar super: fast, friendly and funny. We always look forward to seeing them and their parents, but we don't look forward to the extra kilo's we always gain, haha. You will have no problems finding it. There are chairs and tables on both sides of the road and it's always busy. Once you have eaten there you won't find the need to eat anywhere else. At least: we don't.

Antiparos hotels: Mike's Place in Antiparos Town
Beautiful, quiet & totally renovated in 2007

In the evening the lamps on Paros and the small ferry that's sailing between Pounta (on Paros) and Antiparos make it feel like something out of a science-fiction movie. The honesty, sincerety and friendliness of the people that live there move me every time I go back. We found an apartment on a spot right on the beach with no road in front (so only the birds, the sea, the beach and the silence) with an extremely nice lady called Lillian, who rents studios, apartments and rooms at a good price (cheap!!). It's called Mike's Place and she has the best views in Antiparos village. If you are on the ground floor you have a terrace in the garden and if you are on the first floor you have a balcony, and a big table where you can have breakfast, or just a drink. You can also go and sit on the pier in front of the house and be in the middle of the sea. It's very likely I'll be your neighbour, because this is a place I return to almost every year. :). Quiet, comfortable and close to everything (the beaches, the restaurants, the supermarkets, te bakery, the ferries). People return to this place year after year (like me, I have been here so many times, but I often meet people that come to Mike's Place every year longer than me - and for a good reason!).

Tel: 0030 22840 61217 Mobile: 0030 6932420307 Send an e-mail to Mike's Place in Antiparos Town.
Read more about Mike's Place and see all the pictures - click here

Antiparos hotels: Dolphin Apartments in Agios Georgios
Luxury and complete peace and quiet - with swimming pool, incl. breakfast

In the south of the island, about 10 kilometers away from the Antiparos Town, in the cozy village of Agios Georgios, you can find the Dolphin Apartments. It is a small complex with 7 apartments that are divided over three buildings. The apartments offer space for 2 to 5 people depending on the apartment. All apartments have a kitchen, airconditioning, bathroom, umbrella's, parking, and they all have a seaview. Agios Georgios has a beautiful large sandbeach on which you can sometimes find the rare beachlily. On the other side of the village there are coves with many other small beaches where you can find a beach of your own. Opposite Agios Georgios you can see two islands of which Despotiko is the largest. In the distance you can see several other islands including Folegandros, Sifnos and Sikinos. On Despotiko island excavations have taken place and an ancient sanctuary has been found. From Agios Georgios there are boattrips to this uninhabited island of Despotiko. The village of Agios Georgios offers peace and quiet and there are a couple of very nice beachfront taverna's. There is as good as no traffic, and the beach leading into the water is shallow, so a perfect and safe place for small children as well. The name of the owner is Magda and she is a superhost with a big heart and a big smile, always ready to answer your questions or give you help if you need it! For 2009 Dolpin Antiparos has special offers in the months May, June, Juli and September. Take a look at them click here. You can call the Dolphin Apartments at these numbers:

Tel. +30 22840 24506, 25309 Athens Tel. +30 210 8053613 Fax +30 210 8029979 Mobile +30 6977310167.

Send an e-mail to the Dolphin Apartments in Antiparos.
Read more about Dolphin Apartments and see all the pictures - click here

Rocco's Studios in Antiparos Town
Cheap option in the middle of the harbour of Antiparos Town

Roccos Studios in Antiparos Town is situated in the port of Antiparos town at a distance of 100 meters from the main street with the restaurants and the shops. Roccos Studios is a recently renovated small complex with 10 studios and apartments (1 or 2 rooms for 2-4 people) overlooking the island of Paros. It is also a good option if you are looking for an economical place to stay in Antiparos Town. For the year 2007 and for the low season special offers from 25 euros per day for 2 people.

Tel. +30 22840 61449 (May - October) +30 22840 21019 (November - April) Fax +30 22840 28068
Send an e-mail to Rocco's Studios in Antiparos Town
Read more here about Rocco's Studios and see all the pictures - click here

Some facts about the island Antiparos

The land in the north is flat and fertile while small hills, with Profitis Helias (300m.) being the highest. The western coasts of the island are smooth and sandy, while the east ones are rough with small bays. The island is surrounded by a a lot of smaller islands. In the north there are Kavouras, Diplo and the rocks Kokkinos Tourlos and Mavros Tourlos. In the northern entrance of the channel there is Rematonisi (owned by Goulandri, with a beautiful house, palmtrees and beaches on it) and Saliagas with the lighthouse and the remains of a prehistoric settlement. Southwest we can find the biggest one, Despotiko, and a little further more Strogilo. All these islands except Rematonisi, are uninhabited and some of them are used as pastureland. On Despotiko a number of Early Cycladic tombs were excavated in the 19th and 20th century, and isolated remains of a Doric architecture were found in 1958. Systematic excavations now focus on the site Mantra, where a large building of the Classical period has been partially uncovered.Archaeological work has documented occupation from the Early Bronze Age through Roman times.

Information about the excursions to the sea caves and the island of Despotico with Captain Marianos

See the majestic sea caves of Antiparos, make the walk up the hill to the sanctuary and the rest of the excavations ondeserted Despotico island and then be dropped off at your own private beach, wonder around the island and feel like Robinson Cruso� for a couple of hours. Captain Marianos and his wooden boat the Sargos 1 can be found in the village of Agios Georgios, in the Antiparos, next to the three sea front tavernas. Marianos will take you anywhere you want and he will galantly help you to get off and on the boat. You tell him when you want to be picked up and he is there in time! This excursion is quite different from all the other (commercial) boat excursions you will find, really extra ordinairy, I would say: a must. It will be a day that you will always remember and treasure. Marianos is friendly and strong, his traditional wooden boat is fast, and the sea caves and island of Despotico are unforgettable. In high season he has a time schedule that is fixed (I think) leaving at 10.30 in the morning when the bus from Antiparos Town gets there. On other times you can call him at 0031 6973 794876.

Alternative Antiparos - a note from my friend Vigdis about the excursions with the Sorgos 1

There is more to Antiparos than the village and the cave. Unfortunately, most tourists never discover this, and so miss out on a great experience. In my opinion no stay in Antiparos is complete without a visit to St Georgios, 12 km from the port, lunch at Captain Pipinos at the water�s edge, and a boat trip with Captain SARGOS.

Captain SARGOS with his fast-going boat SARGOS I can offer you an unforgettable trip, taking in a visit to the archeological site on Despotico, the cave of the Epitaphios ,which is such a tight fit for the boat you are sure it cannot possibly get through ,where you can swim from the boat, and then the Captain will leave you on a beautiful sandy beach on the deserted island of Despotico and return to get you at an agreed time. The boat trip takes around 2 hours, not counting time spent on the beach. You can call the Captain on +30 9673 79 48 76 or just turn up at St Georgios. You will find him on the boat or in the taverna. You cannot miss him, he is the one with the bandana round his head, looking like a pirate!

During High Season, the boat departs at 11 am and then every 2 hours until quite late. During Low Season, ie April,May, September and October, trips run on demand.

Walking holidays in Antiparos

Ant�paros is a small island of 35 km�. It is situated southwest of P�ros and a long time ago the two islands used to be connected. Now the islands are separated by a narrow strait of about 1 km. The small island of Sali�gos is located in this strait, and remains of a neolithic civilization (4000 B.C.) have been found here. This could mean that P�ros and Ant�paros were still connected at that time. Other small islands can be found in the neighbourhood of Ant�paros, such as the deserted island of Despotik� in the south and Dipl� (a double island with K�to and Ep�no Fyr�) in the north. From the northern beach of Ant�paros you can even wade to Dipl� through the shallow water. The island of Ant�paros is fairly flat. Its highest point is Prof�tis Il�as, with an altitude of 301 metres. There are a few beautiful beaches, but the island is especially renowned because of the cave on a hilltop of 250 m in the south. Next to the entrance of the cave, you can find the small church of Agios Io�nnis. The cave itself contains three large halls and it is more than 100m deep. It is famous because of its huge stalactites and stalagmites, many of which contain ancient inscriptions. The most famous stalagmite is 8 metres tall and it is called the "Agia Tr�peza" ("Holy Table"). This name was given because a mass was celebrated here on the 24th of December 1673, in the presence of the French ambassador in Constantinople, marquis de Nointel � a Latin inscription still bears witness to this event. In turbulent times, the cave also provided a shelter for the inhabitants of Ant�paros.

The capital Ant�paros is built around a beautiful Venetian k�stro, dating from the 15th century. The k�stro is built around a tower, of which only the base remains.

The most famous beaches are the beaches of Psaralik�, southeast of Ant�paros, the beaches of Agios Theol�gos (close to the campsite, a few minutes north of the small town) and the beaches of Sifn�ikos Gial�s a little southwest of it � both of which are within walking distance of Ant�paros. In the south there is also the beach of Agios Ge�rgios, opposite the island of Despotik�. On the east coast as well there are a couple of nice beaches, among which the beaches of Ap�ndima and S�ros.

But Antiparos is not only this. You can have lots of experiences,such as: walking around the island, watching the local people caring for their animals, making cheese in the traditional way, or learning how the bees produce the local honey.

The Hotel "Dolphin St.Georgio" in Antiparos, offers you a week walking holidays with impressive experiences in 2010.

One week - 7 nights-8 days
� 15/05-22/05 , 29/05-05/06, 12/09-19/09 (Guided walking holiday - per person, price 490 euro)
� 08/05-15/05 and 22/05-29/05 (Self Guided walking holiday- per person, price 420 euro)
If you want to know more about these walking holidays in Antiparos click here.

Maxim op een dak van een huis in de kastro

How to get to Antiparos - the trip to Antiparos by ferry

Antiparos can be easily reached from Rafina (near Athens) or from Piraeus, where there are daily ferries going to the Cycladic islands. The journey to Paros takes about four to five hours, depending on the speed of the boat you take and the schedule it follows. After that you hop on the small ferry to Antiparos (30 minutes), or take a taxi to Pounda in the south of Paros, and take the car ferry there (10 minutes). On the airport of Athens there are regulair busses going to Rafina, and you don't have to drive through Athens itself. Off course you can also take a taxi. The ride takes about half an hour. It's also possible to fly to the island of Mykonos. From there it's only one and a half hours by ferry.

Sculpturing in marble for starters on the island Antiparos

Greece and especially Paros are famous for their beautiful white marble and on the island of Paros you can take a look at the marble caves. The artist Jessy Boelen gives a very specal course on the island of Antiparos. she teaches how to sculpt marble in the old Greek tradition and she does it in a very inspiring surrounding. There is no need for experience and it is not especially physically demanding. She lives and works in Glifa. More info you can find on het website.

Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece 2009 <XMP></BODY></xmp>