Paros - Antiparos Inn-to-Inn Kayaking Circumnavigation

The famous Venus de Milo (whose marble was quarried from Marathi on Paros) cannot match the beauty or intrigue that this trip explores. Join us as we discover the islands of Paros and its smaller sister Antiparos with our exciting Inn-to-Inn Sea Kayaking adventure in Greece! We'll kayak the turquoise waters by day, visit romantic soft-sand beaches, dally in picturesque whitewashed towns, and then dine at charming seaside tavernas before we take our night's rest in intimate inns situated within the sound of the sea. Throw in traditional food specialties, locally-pressed olive oil, fascinating rock formations and a surprisingly sophisticated nightlife and you have everything needed for another great Northwest Passage adventure in Greece. Book now and don't be left out.

Day 1: Warm Mediterranean breezes and soft sand beaches await our arrival on Antiparos. Today we settle into our comfortable accommodations, and set out for some exploration. There's time to stroll through the streets, get some warm sand between our toes on the beach and explore the interior of the island. If time and energy allow, we can go for an evening paddle in Despotiko Bay, scan the crystal waters for sea turtles and maybe even circumnavigate little Komitiri Island. Afterward we quench our thirst with sunset drinks and eat our fill of delicious Greek cuisine before resting up for tomorrow’s adventures. D

Day 2: Greek yogurt with honey, freshly squeezed juice and other Greek breakfast staples fuel morning kayak lesson and orientation. Then we put our newly acquired skills to work, and work up an appetite while paddling to our beachside luncheon spot. For the rest of the day, we continue to paddle in the electric blue waters or decide to check out the famous caves of Antiparos. In the caves we experience the natural beauty of a still growing cavern system as well as a respite from the high noon sun! B, D

Day 3 : Today we take our paddling to the next level! We set out along the coastline searching for wildlife, photo opportunities and, of course, cliff jumping ledges. The Cycladic Islands dot our horizon in every direction. We push leisurely along the coastline leaving time to enjoy the hidden beaches that we pass. Lunch is a picnic in the shade or a visit to a coastal taverna. There's also time to shop and stretch our legs on land. B, D

Day 4 : Energized after another tasty Greek breakfast, we launch our boats and either head for some of the many tiny, surrounding islands, or perhaps decide to circumnavigate Antiparos! Why not? We have the skills, and new beauty awaits us around the corner of each approaching bay! Either way we once again cap off the night with another delicious Greek dinner. B, D

Day 5 : Today we continue to paddle and explore this Mediterranean paradise. We make sure to get our fill of Antiparos today, because tomorrow we are scheduled to paddle east to Paros. After enjoying yet another Mediterranean sunset, we rest up for tomorrow’s crossing. B,D

Day 6 : What a day! We enjoy our final breakfast on Antiparos and then make the crossing to Paros—the channel is said to be only 12 feet deep the whole way across. On our way across we stop by the blue lagoon, a stretch of the most electric blue water you’ll ever see. After our successful crossing we continue to explore the Paros coastline, and then settle into our new hotel. Tonight we acquaint ourselves with the new town and perhaps enjoy the bigger island’s nightlife. B only

Day 7 : On our last full day in the Greek Isles, we have the option to continue paddling into the hidden coves and beaches along the coastline, or rest our well used paddling muscles and explore the interior of Paros. This island packs some serious variety. There’s Lefkes, a village built into the rocky mountain crags, Parikia, a bustling labyrinth of shops and tavernas and the famous Marathi marble quarry, the raw material origin of the Venus de Milo and Napoleon’s tomb! Tonight we celebrate the memories we made on this trip and soak up our final Mediterranean evening. B,D

Day 8 : There may be time for a final morning paddle and some last minute shopping before we end our stay on Paros and catch our flight, hydrofoil, or ferry to the next destination. B

Trip details: Our planned accommodations for the week include family owned inns. Our trip is van supported the entire way. On most days, the van will meet us at the cappuccino and lunch stops. **This itinerary is subject to change. We hope to see you on this spectacular adventure. Any further questions? Feel free to contact us!

This is all you will need - anything else is unnecessary baggage and will only be extra weight to carry.

• 3-7 t-shirts, some synthetic for paddling
• 1 shirt, long sleeved
• 2-3 pair shorts (some quick drying) Sun/rain hat Sneakers/cross trainers hiking; some prefer hiking in Tevas or other sandals with socks
• Rain gear just in case! (Paddling jacket works well as an alternative) or windbreaker jacket
• 1 pair sport sandals (Tevas, water socks etc)/ Paddling booties are great!
• Bathing suit(s)
• Underwear, socks
• Casual clothes for evenings (shorts/summer dresses are fine!)
• Clean change of clothing for the trip home

Miscellaneous

• Passport (be sure to check expiration date)
• Toiletry kit- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, face cream, nail clippers, moleskin, baby powder, soap, washcloth (most hotels don’t provide them) etc.
• Personal medication kit- ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamins, band-aids, Dramamine®, cold/sinus meds if prone to colds
• Daypack/fanny pack for hiking options
• Collapsible walking stick for optional hikes
• Sunglasses Chums/Croakies® to keep glasses on your head are imperative
• Water bottle (optional- bottled water is plentiful and cheap)
• Small dry bag with carabiner clip (clear ones are very useful)
• Headlamp for sea caves
• Camera, film, waterproof container
• Paddling gloves (for the tender of palm- not neoprene but any open fingered glove can help e.g. biking gloves etc)
• Small towel (e.g. PackTowel® works well)
• Small travel alarm clock

Optional Equipment

• Guidebooks
• Mask and snorkel (can be purchased inexpensively)
• Field glasses – binoculars
• Paddle/personal PFD- we will supply paddles and PFD’s for group but if you prefer your own paddle and PFD, feel free to bring them along
• Ziploc® storage bags (to keep stuff extra dry in dry bag)

What is special about this trip?
Like all the Cyclades, Paros and Antiparos have strikingly beautiful countryside and coastlines. Each Greek Isle has its own unique flavor, and traditional Greek culture and hospitality distinguish Paros and Antiparos. Most tourists choose to visit the busier towns on Santorini and Crete, leaving Paros for us adventurers. Oh, and Outside Magazine listed this adventure as one of its “Trips of a Lifetime”!

How do I get there?
Most people choose to take a ferry from Crete or mainland Greece to Paros. The islands have a well organized ferry system. Paros also has a small airport with flights from Athens and Crete.

What papers do I need for travel?
All US citizens require a valid passport to enter Greece. A visa is not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. If you are a citizen of another country, please check with your nearest Greek embassy for visa requirements.

Do I need to get any shots before traveling?
No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Greece.

How and where will you meet me?
We will meet you on Paros. We will have a copy of your travel itinerary and a guide wearing a Northwest Passage shirt and carrying a Northwest Passage sign will greet you at the port.

How long will it take me to get there?
The flight to Athens is usually an overnight flight, leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon and arriving mid-day to late afternoon in Athens. Depending on the carrier and connection, you may overnight in another city en-route.

Where should I stay overnight around there?
If you plan on arriving early or staying late, be sure to call the office beforehand if you’d like a recommendation for a good place to stay.

What money should I take?
The trip fee covers most of your costs. The only things you will be responsible for are lunches, drinks, one dinner, personal purchases, and gratuities. Lunches generally range 5-10 Euro. Dinner ranges 10-20 Euro. Personal purchases again vary- one can buy unique souvenirs made of olive wood for 5 Euro or get fine jewelry for significantly more… it’s up to you.

What's the currency? Exchange rate? Where can I exchange money?
The Drachma was the Greek currency. However, Greece converted to the Euro in January, 2002. For the most current exchange rate, there are several helpful websites. Oanda (www.oanda.com) will give you a handy conversion cheat sheet to take with you. You can exchange money at the airport. Exchange rates at the airport may not be the most favorable and they often have higher commission rates and/or minimum commissions. There are ATM’s at the airports which can be handy as there is not a commission, just the ATM service charge.

Do they take plastic there? Are there cash stations?"
Some of the larger shops accept major credit cards, but many shops, restaurants and vendors only accept cash. So be sure to stop at an ATM in the more populated areas as some smaller towns do not have them.

What's the weather like?
The weather in fall and spring is generally around 80° with lots of sunshine. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, including lip protection. A broad-brimmed hat that secures on your head can also be very helpful. Water temperatures in fall tend to be in the mid to upper 70’s. Spring water temperatures are significantly cooler (high 60’s). Air temperatures cool off at night to the point you may want a light jacket. Rain is unusual but does sometimes occur. A light rain jacket can be handy.

What are the accommodations like?
Each night we choose to stay in the nicest family owned inns and hotels. They are all very secure and have bathrooms in each room.

What do I need to bring?
Upon registering, we will provide you with a detailed clothing and equipment list to guide you in your packing. Casual clothes are the order of the day- no need for anything fancy. If you bring any items requiring electricity, be sure to bring both a converter and adapter plugs. These can be purchased at Radio Shack®, other electronics stores, travel stores etc. Let the salesperson know you are traveling to Greece and they can help you select the appropriate converter and adapter plugs for your equipment. Note that hair dryers, irons, and any other heat producing devices require a stronger converter than other devices. It is helpful to know the wattage of your particular equipment when purchasing the appropriate converter. While paddling, your needs in the boat will be minimal. A small dry bag with a carabiner clip to keep it attached to the boat is very handy. Clear bags are helpful to be able to find what you need. During the day, you will want to have sunscreen, some Euros for lunch and the cappuccino stop, sunglasses with something to keep them tied on with (Croakies®, Chums®, etc.), water bottle (most folks will buy cold bottled water in the morning, eliminating the need to bring a water bottle), camera, mask and snorkel (if you enjoy snorkeling), small binoculars if you already have some, and a small pack towel. A pair of gloves can be helpful to prevent blisters. You do not need neoprene paddling gloves- these can be too warm. Any open fingered glove (including bike gloves, sailing gloves, golfing gloves) can work well (just figure that they will get quite wet). The key is to protect your palm between your thumb and index finger as that tends to receive the most friction. The rest of your gear can be loaded in the van in the morning. Packing your gear in flexible bags (e.g. duffle bags vs. hard suitcases) is preferable. A common comment from participants at the end of the trip is that they brought much more than they needed- added extra clothing to what was on the clothing/equipment checklist and regretted it in the end. Simplicity is the order of the day- less is more!

Can I drink the water?
The water is safe to drink in all the areas we visit. However, bottled water is readily available everywhere and quite inexpensive so most folks choose to drink bottled water.

What's the food like?
Breakfast generally consists of fresh Greek yogurt with honey, bread, cheese, juice, coffee or tea, with eggs as an occasional option. Lunches and dinners are ordered off the menu which typically consists of Greek specialties such as moussaka, pastitsio, grilled meats and fish, spaghetti (doesn’t sound Greek but very popular), stifada (generally beef stew), etc. Selections for vegetarians are more limited but previous vegetarian clients have not gone hungry, enjoying dolmades (grape leaves), eggplant, zucchini, tzatzki (yogurt/cucumber/garlic dip), saganaki (fried feta), Greek salads etc.

What time zone will I be in?
Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Time, which makes it 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time, 8 hours ahead of Central Time, 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time.

How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
We will provide you with a list of our hotels including phone and fax numbers. You should also provide family/friends with The Northwest Passage number (800-RECREATE, 732-7328) as NWP staff will always be notified of any changes in the itinerary. You can call home using a calling card. Many of the hotels will have phones in the rooms. Keep in mind the time difference listed above. It can be helpful to remind family and friends about this also.

How much time do we spend traveling each day? How many miles? Do I have free time?
We will generally kayak 5-6 hours per day. The paddling is broken into multiple sections with plenty of time to explore the coastline, paddle in and out of sea caves and jump in and out of the water to cool off. We generally begin paddling at 8:30 each morning, then take a cappuccino break at a seaside taverna after an hour or so. We stop again for lunch after another hour or so and generally reach our next hotel between 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Distance traveled varies each day, ranging from 6-24 miles. Once we reach our destination, you will have some free time to shower, relax, and/or explore the town. We will generally offer some additional skill training for folks who are interested at the end of the day. Some participants have wanted to work on Eskimo rolling, paddling techniques, etc. Each day, the van will be following our route, meeting us at the cappuccino stops and lunch stops, offering multiple options. You can paddle to the cappuccino break, then hop in the van to the lunch stop, then paddle again in the afternoon. Or start with a van ride and paddle later in the day. The choices are endless!

What kind of equipment do you use?
We have a combination of hard shell plastic doubles, singles and folding doubles. Some participants prefer to paddle in the doubles the whole time (paddling is a bit easier with two people powering the boat and the doubles tend to be more stable) and some prefer to trade on and off with the singles. We will provide kayaks, paddles, spray skirts and PFD’s (personal flotation devices) for all participants. If you prefer to bring your own paddle and/or PFD, you are most welcome to. Please let us know in advance so that we can pack the appropriate gear, especially if you have a particular need or unusual size.

How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides / what are their qualifications?
Our group sizes for this trip range from 6 to 16 participants. We generally have two guides on the water and one or two additional staff members as van drivers. Your guides will be knowledgeable Northwest Passage staff members who are highly skilled in all aspects of sea kayaking and wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all have training and/or certification in Wilderness First Aid.

How can I prepare physically for the trip? How much prior experience is needed?
We have had participants on this trip who have never been in a kayak before and others who have been paddling for years. We have found that all levels of kayakers have enjoyed this adventure. A good level of personal fitness makes the journey more enjoyable. For kayaking, upper body exercises that strengthen your shoulders, back and arms are recommended. Strengthening exercises with free weights can be very beneficial. Upper body stretches and exercises such as rowing are also useful. Keep in mind that we have had folks at all different levels of physical conditioning thoroughly enjoy this trip and the van is always an option! It is extremely important that you know how to swim and are comfortable in the water. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns about your physical capabilities for this trip.

"Dear Rick and Ryan - Kudos to you both for a great circumnavigation of not one, not two, but at least three Cyclades islands! Wow! Thank you! Also a special acknowkedgement for your skills at finding outstanding inns and tavernas. They've been the best and so are you! Thanks too for bringing us together for the adventure. Sincerely, Karen C." -2011

"Rick and Ryan, I Can't think of any finer introduction to the Greek Isles. Thank you for sharing your passion, your expertise, and your sense of adventure. It was a trip of a lifetime with many fond memories" Aaron and Marie Z. 2011

"I so appreciate all the planning that the Northwest Passage does to make this such a special experience." L. Christie 2011

"A wonderful way to see Greece... A wonderful mix of adventure, exercise, and relaxation. I can't think of any finer introduction to the Greek Isles. Thank you for sharing your passion, your expertise, and your sense of adventure. It was a trip of a lifetime with many fond memories." M. Zimenoff 2011

"I admire your sense of adventure in exploring new places-keep on expanding!" -M. Watts 2011

“Beautiful location with great activities fueled by taverna food! Yogurt and honey is my new favorite food.” -Peggy Kell (2009)

“Wish I could stay!” “Ryan did a great job working with us and flexing the trop when necessary.” -Yvette Kell (2009)

Paros and Antiparos are believed by archeologists to have formed one island thousands of years ago. The original island was inhabited as early as 3200BC and according to mythology, the first king of Paros was a Cretan, Alkaios, who built the original city on the site of today's capital of the island, Parikia. At this time, the Cretans used the island as a naval hub, giving it the name Minoa. Crete had established trade with Egypt, Assyria, and the Balkans therefore the location of the island was particularly advantageous along such trade routes.

In the year 1100BC, another tribe of ancient Greeks, the Ionians, defeated the Minoans and settled on the island. The Ionian's time on the island of Paros was short-lived, however. Within a hundred years the Ionians were attacked and defeated by the Arcadians, led by Parios, for whom the island is definitively named.

The Arcadians prospered on Paros for centuries. By the 8^th Century BC, Paros had become a maritime power, trading with the Phoenicians and even expanding its colonies to nearby islands. The primary source of wealth on Paros was its marble. The high-quality, semi-transparent marble was prized across the Mediterranean for the production of statues and temples. Masterpieces such as the Temple of Apollo, and the statue Venus de Milo are formed from Parian marble. Today, the ancient quarries remain but are owned by the state, and used only for archeological restorations.

In the 4^th Century BC, Paros fell under the control of the Macedonian Empire, and power over the island was succeeded over the following centuries to the Roman Empire, and eventually to the Byzantine Empire. It was under the Byzantines that Paros was converted to Christianity. During this time many churches and monasteries we constructed. Church of Ekatontapiliani, considered to be the most important Byzantine monuments in all of Greece, is located in Parikia and is believed to have been built on the orders of Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great.

During the Crusades of the 13^th Century the Byzantine Empire lost control over the region, allowing Paros fall under Venetian rule. Like the areas around it, Paros also succumbed to the Ottoman Empire in the 16^th Century. Paros remained under Ottoman control, like the rest of Greece, until 1821 when freedom was gained during the Greek War of Independence.