Antiparos, Greece

The Island

Antiparos is a small island off of the south-west of the larger Paros island (MapQuest directions). It is home to some of the best kite surfing in the world and a relaxing but vibrant nightlife scene. While it has been kept as a well-guarded secret vacation destination by locals, it is now firmly under siege by tourists from all corners of the world. The catalyst for this transformation was Tom Hanks (The Terminal, 2004) buying a home here in 2009.

Tome Hanks (Google Images)

Getting there

  1. Fly to Athens. We recommend flying direct to Athens due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout the EU. We'll try to keep you updated on COVID-19 travel guidances for Greece but please do your own research too and make sure you have all necessary travel documents (and arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight departs).
  2. From Athens you can take a domestic flight to Paros (recommended) or navigate the intense, but very affordable, Greek island ferry system. We almost exclusively rode the ferries between the islands last time we traveled here. They weren't bad and riding on a boat traveling 50 knots was a wild time.
  3. From Paros you will take a small, short ferry to Antiparos. Tickets are a few Euros. Ferry leaves from two ports on Paros that are accessible via taxi or local bus (we took the bus). Kastro is within walking distance from the ferry once you disembark on Antiparos. You have arrived! Ouzo on us!

Hotel Kastro — Our Venue

We encourage everyone to stay with us at Kastro, a villa on Antiparos and the venue for our reception and dinner. Kastro is exquisite, there are seascapes from the patio and a pool. You can view the available rooms here. There is a 3-night minimum and special rates for wedding guests, please see below. Kastro is located within town (minutes away from food and ouzo!) and is a short walk away from several beaches, (including the “naturist” one!). There are several rooms available that sleep up to 4 people. We also strongly encourage you to book your rooms quickly if you plan on attending. They will book out quickly! Contact Margarita to book your room!

Our wedding!

Our ceremony will be held at a top secret location (not Tom Hanks' house) that is a short 10 minute bus ride away from Kastro. All transportation from Kastro will be arranged for our guests, we will provide exact timing closer to our date but please expect the ceremony to begin in the late afternoon.

Island Strategies for great success

  • Download offline Google maps! You can use these without wifi/data. The maps show trails and footpaths around the island that are helpful when trying to get to beaches and hiking destinations. Follow these instructions on how to download offline maps in Google Maps if you don't know how.
  • Most islands do not have potable water. It's safe to bathe and brush your teeth with but not to consume. We will have bottled water throughout the reception but remember to buy additional bottled water when you are in town, it's very cheap!
  • The island is extremely beautiful and extremely old, some of the structures and roads are from the 15th century and older. Be strategic about your shoes.
  • The Antiparos ferry runs to/from Paros frequently between 7AM and 11PM. If you are waiting for the ferry, you can watch it come in from Nautica cafe while enjoying espresso, Mythos and snacks.
  • NEW ✨If you want to rent a scooter/moped, you need an international license or a motorcycle license. AAA offers international licenses.
  • NEW ✨It can get breezy and a little chilly at night. Make sure you pack a sweater and maybe even a light windbreaker.
  • NEW ✨Footwear choices are important! Make sure you have sneakers to get around easily and some sandals to walk on the beach.
  • NEW ✨Pretty much everyone takes credit cards. For the best experience (not having to sign a receipt) make sure your card has a tap-to-pay feature.
  • NEW ✨Set up a credit card through Apple Pay! It works everywhere tap-to-pay is accepted and even works offline.
  • NEW ✨There are usually busses on each island. They cost around 1.80 Euro. You can find timetables at the stops or by searching online something like "<island> bus timetable".
  • NEW ✨There is no Lyft or Uber on the islands. You can ask restaurants to call you a taxi. Try not to pay more than 20 Euro.
  • NEW ✨Google Maps directions are often innacurate or inefficient. Try the Maps.me app, which has great offline map support and better routing.
  • NEW ✨You probably want Cell Data while traveling. We recommend using Airalo eSIM to have data available. Get the app! It will make getting around and finding what you need much easier. I recommend the 20 GB for 30 days plan that costs $25. The setup can get a little complicated so here are some tips after you have installed the eSIM:
    • For explanation purposes I will call the second cell network “Secondary“
    • Make sure you have actually installed the eSIM after buying it. Clicking into the eSIM details will show an “Install eSIM“ button. You can also go into Settings > Cellular > and make sure that you have multiple entries in the “SIMs“ section
    • Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data should be set to “Secondary“
    • Settings > Cellular > Secondary > Network Selection should be set to either WIND or COSMOTE, not Automatic
    • Settings > Cellular > Secondary > Data Roaming should be turned ON

    Your settings should look like this:

Who are we?

Abby and Artem (Arby) met through our beloved friend and Master of Ceremonies Taylor Childers one sweaty August night in 2015 at what many in New York consider the worst bar in the world (Torst). From there, a remarkable love story took flight like a bar-headed goose flying over the Himalayas. Abby followed Artem on a DJ journey (laptop in tow to write the thesis!) and Artem followed Abby throughout the city on anthropologic adventures for school - Chelsea, the LES and Dumbo to collect free wine at gallery openings. They bonded over a mutual love of food, long walks, cozy nightcaps, food and travel. Together, they've navigated Abby's unpredictable and at times terrifying post-grad life in NYC, Artem's Big Return™ back east from big tech energy out west, moving in together amidst a pandemic and last but not least - competing to become top ranked seeds in the world of pro tennis. They've traveled the world together and can't wait to start the next chapter of their lives together with daily ornithology walks in the park and making the best bagels in NYC on the weekends!

Things to do

Antiparos has tons of beautiful and calm beaches. There are places to sunbathe and swim in every direction. The island is very popular for wind/kite surfing! You can watch the kite surfers from the ferry or the dock.

Beaches

There are two great beaches close to town: Paralia Sifneiko and Paralia Psaraliki. Both are tranquil and have small restaurants that provide good food and facilities. There is also the "naturist beach" (nudist). The beach is gorgeous but be prepared to see some very European behavior.

Restaurants and Bars

  • Nautica — Relaxed environment to drink light beers, eat some snacks, watch a football game, and wait for the ferry.
  • Margarita — Cozy snack restaurant right on the strip.
  • Taverna Kyklades — It's a Greek restaurant
  • Το Σταθερο — You're not going to believe what this place is
  • Town square — The center of town, where most nightlife starts. Mill around.
  • Doors — A The Doors-themed bar where the 60 year old owner DJs on a desktop computer at the bar.
  • A NIGHT CLUB IN A WINDMILL
  • Moraitis Winery* — An amazing winery on Paros that is worth a visit

Enjoy a Slideshow

We look forward to celebrating with you on The Island.