After three nights in Athens, we caught a ferry to the island of Naxos, Greece. We have been dying to expertise a few of the Greek island life we had heard a lot about. I received’t lie, I’d heard horror tales about Greek ferries earlier than we left, and sadly our first wasn’t nice. With loopy winds and 20 foot waves that have been so intense that at one level ALL of the bottles on the bar legitimately flew off the shelf, we have been all horrifically seasick by the point we arrived. And by all of us, I imply your entire boat. Actually. (One way or the other our 3 12 months previous was high quality THANK GOD. She watched Peppa Pig the *total* time as we may barely maintain it collectively – pure survival mode. However she was high quality and I’ll ceaselessly maintain onto that silver lining).
WHAT WE PACKED:
I received’t lie although, it was nightmarish, with ferry employees standing exterior washrooms armed with rolls of paper towel and disinfectant. And due to stated vicious winds, what was presupposed to be a 4 hour journey took 5. It added insult to harm once you’re actually counting down the seconds. It was barely torturous, however in fact may have been worse. We have been headed to a Greek island in spite of everything (perspective!) And we have been so grateful when our toes landed stable floor. One thing I had by no means been grateful about earlier than, however it all counts!
I’m happy to report that the island of Naxos made up for a lower than stellar journey. Tenfold, after which some. Should you’re planning a visit of your personal, I’ve since been advised these experiences do occur however they’re not the norm. Both means, the journey was completely price it in the long run.
MORE TRAVEL IDEAS HERE
We stayed at Argo Boutique lodge in Chora, Naxos. It was only a block away from the seashore and some minute stroll into the core. And we had absolutely the loveliest keep. We got a room that had a pool inside and that was an instantaneous core reminiscence for our daughter. She talks about it nearly each day, even now after being again for a number of weeks. An enormous hit for all of us, however particularly the youthful crowd.
cowl up
Everybody from the employees to the company have been nothing in need of form. A lot in order that by this level within the journey I discovered myself googling why Greece is so heat and welcoming. Because it seems, there’s a time period known as “philoxenia”, which interprets to “good friend of a stranger”. It appears to stem from an previous Greek delusion whereby anybody who involves your door could also be a God in disguise. Everybody have to be handled with the utmost respect by that logic. It’s a sentiment that appeared pervasive all through the whole thing of our journey. I used to be always blown away by how welcome we all the time felt, which was simply so pretty.
Naxos itself is a small, largely quiet, however completely lovely island. It was our favorite place that we stayed for certain. It made for absolutely the good stability between utter leisure on the seashore, and enjoyable journey time. With a fortress to discover within the coronary heart of town, a few of the loveliest boutiques, eating places, and bars to frequent, in addition to a few of the most lovely seashores I’ve ever seen, it’s protected to say that it stole our coronary heart. At one level we stumbled throughout the sweetest toy retailer. It felt like a mini magical Willy Wonka manufacturing facility. The proprietor, unsurprisingly, was so form with our daughter. He spent a minimum of an hour introducing us to (ahem letting us play with) all the distinctive toys they’d on supply. It was admittedly a very enjoyable solution to spend a night for all of us, ha.
{downtown Chora, Naxos}
Although we spent the vast majority of our time lounging on the seashore and exploring the charming city of Chora by foot (it is extremely walkable), we did hire a automotive in the future to discover. Our principal objective was to go to the village of Chalki. It’s, arguably, essentially the most picturesque village on the island. Full with a Byzantine church from the thirteenth century (!!!) and is properly definitely worth the go to. Exploring this beautiful little mountain city was completely a visit spotlight for us. Having a automotive additionally meant we may discover a few of the tougher to entry seashores. In spite of everything, the proper solution to cap off a sizzling and sticky village go to is with a dip within the Aegean sea (and being buried within the sand, in fact!)
{Paralia Agios Georgios. steps from the lodge}
{exploring Chalki}
{every little thing in Chalki was so fairly}
{loukoumades (a superb Greek dessert)}
{views from lunch}
{in the hunt for the thirteenth century church}
{post-Chalki seashore go to to chill down}
{I want I may bear in mind the title of this seashore – we had all of it to ourselves and it was magic}
{again to Chora}
{on the hunt for gyros}
{the journey package was an enormous hit – not simply on the aircraft however on the lodge and in eating places too. Extremely advocate for those who’re travelling with toddlers}
{lazy seashore days <3}
