Naxos, Paros or…

[wowsaidtheowl]

I had amazing advice for planning our holiday to Sardinia and am hoping to pick up some tips for 2024.

I’ve booked flights to Athens for me and my two children (12 & 9) - it will be our first holiday without their dad, we’re separating imminently.

The last few years we’ve been off the beaten track in Croatia and then to Sardinia this year and it’s usually involved lots of driving for me. I’m keen to reach a compromise of being somewhere unspoilt but where I don’t have to hire a car.

my childhood holidays were with my single mum in Symi and Paxos and I think I’m looking for something similar.

My children want an adventure so maybe some island hopping? They also love swimming and snorkelling.

Any top tips would be hugely appreciated.

Naxos is great. Lovely beaches, delicious food, open air cinema, friendly locals. It's pretty chilled.

Paros is quite similar, Surfing Beach Paros is good is you're on a budget and has a pool with swim up bar.

I would do a week in each.

Just been to Mykonos.
Crazy expensive. Glass of wine € 14.

And "influencers" pretentiousness.

Plenty more islands around with no airs and graces.

OP you are actually planning my idea of a holiday for 2024 too! Also single, also two kids of a very similar age!

Interested to know how you'll manage luggage if you're island hopping. Traveling in extreme heat with two kids on my own makes me slightly nervous!

I.island.hopped when I was 20 and it was epic!

Amazing @wowsaidtheowl - I really hope you enjoy it! Looking forward to hearing where else you choose! Would love to know where you are staying if you want to share (or DM), mainly because I'm nosy!

Might be useful for you to know there are plenty of sunloungers on the beach and prices do vary so shop around a little. No Mykonos prices (or not last time we were there!). Syrma was our favourite of the beach bars for an evening drink.

Isalos, at the other end of the beach, is a great spot for a cocktail or two. The sunsets in the bay are stunning.

Kafenes at Hotel Boulis does amazing food and homemade spirits. I'm excited for you 🤣

@CoQ10 I’m so excited that I’ve already started buying bags! The plan is I carry a humungous backpack and I’ve just bought a kids 50l backpack for my eldest. Then everyone has a day bag. We don’t have a car so very used to carrying stuff and walking - just hope the heat doesn’t finish us off! Also booking up accommodation in port towns so we can get settled without too much hassle.

@OneOfTheThree I’ve booked the Delfini hotel in Kamares (please don’t tell me it’s a dump!) - we usually go self catering but I can’t face all the cooking etc by myself.

@wowsaidtheowl I've never stayed there but have walked past it many times walking to the church on the headland - it looks really lovely! I've always been quite envious of people staying there! It's at the quieter end of the bay, but very close to Seven Seas which has a fab infinity pool. Sounds like a good choice :)

@OneOfTheThree That’s just what I needed to hear!

I’m back for more advice! Sifnos is booked and two nights at the end of our holiday is booked in Athens. Now I have five nights in the middle. What do you think of these options?

1. Milos x 3 nights + Syros x 2 nights
2. Syros x 3 nights + Milos x 2 nights
3. Milos x 5 nights
4. Syros x 5 nights

I think my kids would like to squeeze in both islands but is it too much?!

I would pick just one island otherwise you waste too much time with ferries (often delayed) and changing accommodation. We've only been to Milos and loved it (alongside neighbouring Kimolos which can be a day trip or place to stay in it'sown right) and there is plenty to see for up to a week. We would love to go to Syros one day too so I'm sure it's a good choice too. You can also see which route is better for ferries etc. With Milos you can also fly to Athens.

I agree on choosing one place. The vast majority of my ferries over the years have been on time, but I did have a five hour ferry delay at Mykonos once.

I love Syros and have stayed in the capital, Ermoupoli, three times now. Great value for money in the restaurants and it looks very different to the typical towns in the Cyclades.

Can I ask what led you to book Sifnos? I have a week booked in Naxos and want to add on a second island. Already done Paros, so Sifnos and Milos are my other options.

@countdowntonap Someone on here recommended Kamares, Sifnos as somewhere a bit sheltered from the wind. I think food is meant to be good and reasonably priced too which is always a winner! We also had flights to Athens and the ferry journey isn’t too awful. It was hard choosing but just had to make a decision! I think also we can do some day trips from Sifnos so we’re not tied to the island.

I think we’ve decided on Syros as our next island and will try to visit Milos for the day when we’re in Sifnos. The Sifnos to Syros ferry has a three hour transfer in Mykonos so we can have a short mooch around the port too.