Journey to Paros that I loved - Greek Gastronomy Guide

Η Paros does not have its high mountains Naxos, its take-off winds Mykonos, the wild but impressive landscape of the Caldera cliffs in Santorini.

The Parian mountains and hills are low, fading sweetly to the shores, the beaches are full of secret attractions, while the archeological findings, in the museums or in the excavations of the island testify to its long historical path.

I met Paros when I first set foot in 1976, student, it's been 40 years now and I was fascinated by its beauty, the innocence of its landscapes and inhabitants, its people with many scales of dignity and wisdom and it is no coincidence that in my book "Paros, a journey to the place and time" Some classic types of the island were described, such as Captain Linardos and Stratis from Naoussa, Mr. Giannis Kaparos or Loukis from Lefkes.

The years passed, the world changed, so did Paros. Innocence may have been lost, but Paros acquired a pluralistic identity and an ability to give pleasure to all but all tastes.

The pleasures and goodies of the island are fairly divided.

In the North with the two tourist divas Parikia and Naoussa, the entertainment, the lifestyle and the dolce vita of the youth get married with islets of authentic life

The West generously offers the unique sunsets over Antiparos while the South has the port of Alyki with its fishing boats, the fresh fish and its calm family life.

In the East overlooking Naxos On the one hand, there are organized beaches such as Santa Maria, Chrysi Akti, Logaras, the youthful Pounta, as well as the serene ones where the coolness of the sea accompanies, the ouzo with the enjoyment of appetizers from the taverns of Ambelas, Molos, Drios and Lolantonis. In the East are the traditional settlements of Marmara, Marpissa, Prodromos, Kostos that compete with each other in picturesqueness and of course in the center of the island, the mountainous Lefkes, the lord of Paros with its unique architecture and with its ornament the Holy Trinity, a start for paths in all directions, where here we will meet the most beautiful vineyard of Paros, windmills, presses, monasteries, houses (complexes rural houses of exceptional aesthetics).

Gastronomically how Paros is distinguished for its fish, its seafood, its cheeses (gruyere, xinomyzithra), the revitada but also for its creative delicacies. The most special dish of Paros, however, are the snails, the so-called ships eaten with boiled potatoes and garlic. Local food of the Whites and that is why the people of Lefkia are playfully called caravolades and they, indifferent to their nickname, made their love a celebration with the glorious festival of "Karavolas".

From an oenological point of view it dominates Moraitis Estate and its visitable winery in Naoussa with its tastings for four generations is the temple of Parian wine.

Ο Arsenis Loukis, started with a vineyard a while ago and now manages 500 acres of land, whose fruits - most of which are products of organic crops - are available in its tasteful store in Naoussa, while at the same time its crops beautify the landscape of the island.

We gladly welcome her "Paros Microbrewery”Of the young Nikolas Pavlakis and Marinos Alexandrou who with beer 56 isles put Paros on the map of Greek areas enjoying their own beer.

We are proud of all three companies because they are shining examples for the local community.

The dining options in Paros are many. My personal weaknesses are in the mood: in Mario in Naoussa when my body asks for gourmets, at the sunrise of the full moon above Naxos I shoot at Christiana in Ambelas, on the rocks, in the most tidy family of the island, to eat the freshly caught red mullets of Kyr-Christos and the relevant kakavia.

When I have an appetite for song and for side dishes I choose it Artistic cafe lost in the Labyrinth of Prodromos where you will eat, drink and sing a song, while again I want the atmosphere of a port with fishing boats, Piso Livadi is offered, which develops into a small Naoussa and in Mariana Halari, you will enjoy her delicacies and you have the most opportunities to eat fresh fish from her husband's boat.

Ο Giannakos is just a dream tavern in Molos that dates back to the 60's. You will find meat-eating taverns in Lefkes starring "Clarinet», But whoever desires peace will drink sums in cafe of Marigos and Konstantis in front of the courtyard of the Holy Trinity, or in the "Pet Cafe»Of Chrysoula, where even here one accompanies the song very easily.

Once the conversation brought it Suma is the raki of Paros. Even though we enjoy it, we get rid of our sorrows all year round, on boilers which take place in October-November, the new batches are produced in the distilleries and during the waiting the best festivities take place, because it is the best opportunity to gather the people from the summer spending and to find the locals among them again.

Finally, in order not to close this lovely article with gastronomy, let us make a visit to Parikia, a tour of the Archaeological Museum, a candle lighting in the unique beauty of Ekatontapyliani and a walk in the main historical pedestrian street of the market, all within 300 meters help to condense a 3.000-year-old Parian culture that demands respect and continuity!