Greece: Paros
| THE LURE Trade winds that blow all day almost every day ensure hours and hours of kiting time. A huge selection of great restaurants, superb nightlife and breathtaking scenery and culture make every second you spend away from the water just as memorable as those spent on it. THE SET-UP Pounda is Paros' main kiting area and is located directly outside Paros Kiteboarding Center. Have a word with them and they'll be more than happy to take you on epic downwinders to some secret spots. Toilets, showers and storage are all provided and there is a restaurant and bar attached to the center. There is a great local wave spot near Pounda which is dependent on the wind conditions and mainly comes into play in the off season and is perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds. High season offers sun soaked bliss with excellent winds and good banter among the crowds. WIND WATER AND WEATHER From May - September you'll be in your element with 24 hour a day winds, ranging from 15-30 knots. This is the perfect time to visit Paros, whether you're a competent rider or have just started learning. The wind keeps on blowing through the rest of the year but you may find the odd day or two are a little sour. Wind direction here varies, but when it blows up from the south you'll be able to explore some secret spots that are normally unreachable. Air temperature can vary from 20°C / 68°F in the early parts of the year to 36+°C / 97°F over the summer. Water temperature stands at 17°C / 63°F in the winter and can get up to a seductive 26°C / 79°F in summer. GET AROUND Anti Paros and Parikia are the nearest local towns. You can catch a five minute ferry across to Anti Paros for an afternoon trip which will cost you only €1, or you can take a short drive / bus to Parikia. You can stay in Paros and kite in Paros, so no car is necessary if that's what you choose. ACCOMMODATION Accommodation wise you'll find it all apart from backpacker hostels, the cheapest option being camping and the most expensive a full-on five star hotel. Be warned that prices differ greatly on everything depending on whether it is high or low season. FOOD AND DRINK If you plan to stay local you will find enough supermarkets to keep stocked up, although these are expensive and it can be cheaper just to eat out at one of the local restaurants. Traditional Greek cuisine is on offer which will be a Mediterranean and seafood lover's delight. If you're in a rush or just need a quick bite after an epic kite session then pick up a souvlaki for only a couple of euros, putting a welcome Greek twist on a simple kebab. NO WIND Get your hands on a quad bike or scooter and ride off to explore the island. Greece holds some fantastic history and monuments that have stood the test of time. Check out the local Orthodox churches to hear the amazing stories behind them. There are also local caves and quarries to explore; some formally used to mine marble. Get your kicks scuba diving and wakeboarding or on inflatable banana and ring tows. You can also do some cliff jumping or enjoy the beautiful beaches in Anti Paros - just make sure you cliff jump before lunch! AIRPORT Best bet is to fly to Athens (ATH) on the mainland and then catch an internal flight to Paros of hop on a ferry. Ferries can take between three and five hours, high speed ferries are available; they are quicker, but can make you feel more sea sick if you're a bit prone to the old gip-gip. SCHOOLS PAROS KITEBOARDING CENTRE is equipped with the latest Best and Nobile gear and has plenty of IKO qualified instructors on hand to cater for all those wanting to learn. An IKO certified centre, you need only step outside the front door and you'll be on the local kiting beach. There's also accommodation nearby should you wish to live right in the thick of things. The centre offers guided kiting trips and can fill you in on a few secret hot spots. www.paroskite.gr This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +30 697 700 3855 |
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