Guest Guide
Guest Guide
A Personal Welcome
Welcome to Paros, and I hope you enjoy your stay at my home, Milos House. In recent years the house has undergone a wonderful transition — from a summer vacation rental to being my home for much of the year. The house and its gardens have evolved in many ways, where visitors and friends have contributed and imbued Milos House with their heart and spirit, soul, laughter and presence.
The house sits in a quiet location on top of a hill with no immediate neighbours, and I hope you'll agree that the view is one of the very best in the Greek Islands — looking down to Antiparos, Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos and Syros. Gazing out from the terrace is one of my very favourite pastimes, and it's hard to find a better way to idle away evenings in gratitude.
Milos House is the perfect space for downtime, relaxation and the birthing of new ideas. You may wish to contribute to our Guest Book, which you will find downstairs.
Have a wonderful stay,
Peter
The House
The house and its gardens have evolved over many years. A small stone circle on the south terrace was created by Pete's good friend Alan James, which remains as a monument to his unique spirit since he left us suddenly in 2019. Others have contributed and imbued Milos House with their heart and soul, laughter and presence.
On a clear day you can see around twelve other islands, including Antiparos, Ios, Santorini, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos, Kea, Syros and more. Gazing out from the terrace is one of Pete's very favourite pastimes.
Milos House is designed to be as off-grid as possible while still offering all the comforts you need. All manuals and instructions for appliances can be found in the cupboard downstairs.
Finding Us
Milos House is 10 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Paroikia harbour by car. You will need to hire a car — the house is at the top of a steep hill through a tiny hamlet.
Coordinates: latitude 37.0182415192, longitude 25.1375169995
What3Words: retinas.showdown.pecans
The key will be ready for you on arrival. Our housekeeper Andi will be in touch via WhatsApp to welcome you and check arrival times. To open the front door: turn the key anticlockwise whilst pulling slightly on the door.
Housekeeper Andi: +1 (510) 410-8210 (WhatsApp)
Pete: +44 7866 457409
House Guide
House water comes from the well outside. For drinking water, please use the local water stations to fill the glass water containers. The nearest Reverse Osmosis dispenser is in Alyki (What3Words: referee.consents.hiked).
Do not flush paper down the toilets! Bins are provided next to each toilet. If the well level is low, water will stop flowing — open the well hatch, let the lead hang free, and call the housekeeper straight away.
Water is heated by the solar panel on the roof. In the event of no hot water due to bad weather, turn on the electrical heater in the box at the top of the stairs for 15 minutes, then turn it off.
Please use water sparingly — it is a precious resource on the island.
We have fast wifi via a Cosmote 4G router. Password is by the TV and on the modem. Speeds typically 200–300 Mbps download in the downstairs area. Reception is more patchy upstairs. 4G is generally good in the area.
There is a pair of Bose hi-fi speakers in the lounge linked to a Sonos system. Download the Sonos app to use Spotify through one of three systems: lounge, kitchen or bedroom 1.
Full instructions for the hi-fi and TV are by the television. The TV runs through the Mordaunt Short speakers.
Three bedrooms: two with double beds and one with two singles. Two bathrooms, both with baths and showers, one on each floor.
One bath towel and beach towel are provided per guest per stay. Beach equipment (tent, ball, etc.) is in the downstairs bedroom cupboard — please feel free to use it.
There is no air conditioning as the house is situated high on a hill and stays cooler than average in summer. Each room has an overhead fan.
Voutakos (7 min by car) — largely unspoilt with a naturist section, no facilities. Turn right at the bakery and continue about a mile and a half until you see a stone wall on the left.
Other good local beaches: Farangas (umbrellas, beds and bar in high season), Piso Alyki, Palm Beach / Irini, Makria Miti and Tripiti 2.
Paros is not short of great beaches whichever part of the island you're in.
The nearest Kritikos supermarket and excellent bakery is 5 minutes away by car, on the outskirts of Alyki just past the old airport.
Alyki also has a fishmonger, butcher, chemist, ATM, and an extensive DIY/household goods shop.
The main port of Paroikia has larger supermarkets and specialist shops. Naousa is the second largest centre with more high-end fashion, art and clothing.
For takeaway traditional food, Giannis at Crossroad in Ageria offers excellent local cooking.
A car is essential at Milos House. Loukis Rental have offices in the main square and at the port. Tel: +30 22840 23679 (Dora).
They will arrange a car to meet you at the airport or port. Book in advance in high season. Mention Pete for best rates.
The house is designed to be as off-grid as possible. Non-recyclable rubbish goes in the bulk bin at the bottom of the drive by the main road.
Recyclable rubbish (plastic, cans, glass, paper) can be disposed of at the bins by the petrol station at the Kritikos supermarket near Alyki.
Please do not light fires outside between May 1 and November 1 — wildfires are regular occurrences and can spread quickly.
Check out Clean Blue Paros for info on local environmental initiatives.
Your Host
Having lived on Paros for nearly 20 years, Pete is well placed to advise on what to do and see — his favourite beaches, the best tavernas, local boat trips, and the quieter spots the guidebooks miss.
The house will be cleaned prior to your stay and with agreement can be serviced during. Pete can help find a local chef and food and drink options for cooking in or eating out.
For any problems or questions, contact housekeeper Andi via WhatsApp: +1 (510) 410-8210 · Pete's mobile: +44 7866 457409
Ready to Visit?
Have a great holiday — and if you need anything at all, we're here.
