Greek Island Hopping: Naxos

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You’ll see Anthony Bourdain dine in this lively town-sqaure on Parts Unknown

During the summer of 2019 I was fortunate to be selected by the National Hellenic Society to attend the 10th annual Heritage Greece (HG) program. HG is an immersion for Greek-Americans to spend their summer in Greece improving language skills and reconnecting with fellow Greeks and our culture.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was taking a long weekend to the stunning island of Naxos. Naxos is one of my favorite Greek islands because it truly has everything. The beaches are the pristine sand and clear blue water you dream about. The food is fresh and the people are kind. One of the more interesting things about Naxos is its high mountains. When you leave the beach towns and enter the old Greek villages tucked away in the mountains, you will encounter folks who have never seen the sea.

Wait What? They live on an island and they’ve never seen the sea?

I know. It’s different. Some of these folks are so deeply rooted in the love of their tiny village they have never left their valley to see what is on the other side. of the mountain As a Greek-American, visiting this village and celebrating our heritage with these deeply passionate Greeks was inspiring to me.

If you’re looking for an authentic Greek experience, Naxos is a great choice. I highly suggest Anthony Bourdain’s Naxos episode on Parts Unknown to get a taste of the island! Great beaches, fresh food, and less tourists – Naxos is the place to be!

Language Lesson:

Good morning!

Καλημέρα! (Kaliméra)

– Κατερινα Κονταλης | Cait Kontalis