Xasteria

With 60km of coastline, Antiparos offers an abundance of idyllic beaches and many of these are very close to Xasteria. Apart from Soros below the house, two of the most beguiling beaches are Agios Sostis and Faneromeni, little bays on the southernmost tip of the island. Slightly further afield, in the southwest, is the bay of Agios Georgios, whose turquoise waters are a great starting point for kayaking excursions to the little islet of Despotiko.

Typical of the Cyclades, the landscape of Antiparos is dotted with small whitewashed churches and traditional cottages, and carpeted with aromatic Mediterranean shrubs and wild herbs. The south of the island is hilly and there is some rewarding walking to be had, thanks to the wonderful 360-degree panoramas from vantage points such as the Prophet Elias church.

The main town, Antiparos Port, is archetypally Greek, with narrow pedestrianised alleyways and picturesque squares flanked by independent little shops and pretty white houses with blossom-filled courtyards. At its centre are the remains of the Kastro, a Venetian castle built in 1440 to protect the island’s inhabitants from pirates and other would-be invaders. Around the harbour is a good selection of traditional tavernas and cafés, and it is very pleasant to while away a little time there, watching island life unfold. In the evening, the main square comes alive as traditional coffee shops and chic bars fill up.

Just in the hills behind Xasteria, meanwhile is the island’s fascinating cave, whose extremely impressive stalactites and stalagmites are thought to be amongst the oldest in Europe. With a depth of around 85m (there are 411 steps down to the bottom), it is an inspiring place to explore, especially if you think of all those who have been there before you, including Macedonian generals fleeing the wrath of Alexander the Great, Otto, the first King of Greece, and even (so it is said) Lord Byron.

Last but not least, Paros is just a 10-minute ferry ride from Antiparos Port, meaning that island-hopping day trips there are eminently feasible.