Welcome to Paros and I hope you enjoy your stay at my home Milos House. In the last year the house has undergone a transition from a summer vacation rental to being my home for much of the rest of the year. I invite you to make it your home during your stay and to bring whatever love and care you might feel inspired to during your days here.
The house and its gardens have evolved in many ways in recent years, with my good friend Alan James creating a small stone circle on the south terrace by the forest some years ago, which remains standing 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.
The house is 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 - on a good day you can see around twelve other islands, including Antiparos, Despotiko, Ios, Santorini, Sikinos, Folegandros, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos, Kea, Kithnos 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 prefect space for downtime, relaxation and the birthing of new ideas. A few years ago, I was in the sea at the nearby Voutakos beach when I came up with the idea for our social network Campfire Convention. Several of our initiatives, including the Love is The Answer project were also birthed here. We are also starting to do retreats and other mixed arts events on the island.
Milos House is 10 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Paroikia harbour by car. You will need to hire a car (or a jeep if you’re planning to go more off grid during your stay) The house is at the top of a steep hill, so walking isn’t encouraged, for local beaches or shops, though if you scramble over the back garden wall, you will be richly rewarded with great scenery and views if you choose to walk into Kamari, the local village and then top into the hills beyond.
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The key will be ready for you on arrival. My housekeeper, Giannis, will be in touch to welcome you. There is space to park a car in front of the house. To open the front door turn the key anticlockwise whilst pulling slightly on the door. There will be a back door key on the key ring, for easier unloading to the bedrooms. Please check that all keys are left behind in the same place when you depart.
Giannis, our housekeeper, will make contact before your visit via WhatsApp to check your arrival times and to answer any other questions you may have. His number is +30 693 9929925
The house is designed to be as off-grid as possible but with on-grid benefits too.
Accommodation comprises three bedrooms – two with double beds and one with two singles. The cooker and electrics should be straightforward and self explanatory.
The Sheep Shack (stone brick studio at rear) has recently been built and may be available for your stay if you need extra space for a couple or single (please enquire for separate rates). It is self contained, open plan, with two single mattresses side by side, full kitchen including cooker, washing machine and fridge / freezer, shower / wet room / water. It has two outside patios with sliding doors with a view over the windmill and sunsets. There is no wifi modem always available in the studio but good 5G signal reception.
WATER: As the water comes from the well outside, please use the local water stations to fill the glass water containers. There are several Reverse Osmosis dispensers in Paroikia but the nearest is in Alyki, just up the road from the chemist and butcher. This water is better for teeth cleaning, tea making etc.
Do not flush paper down the toilets! Bins are provided next to the toilets. The water well has automatic metering to alert low levels, which protects the pump from overheating. If the level is low in the well, the water will stop flowing - please open the well hatch and allow the lead (hooked on a nail on the right) to hang free and call the housekeeper straight away and she will arrange for a delivery. Water is heated by the solar panel on the roof so there is usually enough water for showering, washing up etc. It goes without saying - please use water sparingly as it is a precious resource on the island. In the event that there is no hot water because of bad weather, you can turn on the electrical heater in the box at the top of the stairs. This will heat within 15 minutes so please remember to turn it off straight away!
The house does not have air conditioning as it is situated high on a hill so stays cooler than average in summer. Each room has an overhead fan for your use. I have also recently installed a heater and three infra red panels for winter heating. Please do not light any fires outside between May 1 and November 1 as wild fires are regular occurrences on the island and can quickly spread.
You will find several shaded areas around the house. The main upstairs terrace is largely shaded under the pergola in the morning. The back door patio is in the shade for much of the day, where I have just added a table and bench. Also there are a couple of smaller tables which can be moved around in the wooded area to the south of the house, around the hammocks.
We now have fast wifi via a Cosmote 4G Wi-fi internet router at the house and the password is by the TV- Speeds are typically around 200Mbps for download and 30 Mbps for upload in the downstairs area. Reception is more patchy upstairs. 4G is generally good in the area.
I have a pair of Bose hi-fi speakers in the lounge linked to a Sonos system. If you download the Sonos app you will be able to use my Spotify account to find a massive range of music, which you can pipe through one of three systems, lounge, kitchen or bedroom 1. You are welcome to use the TV and BluRay which runs through the small black Mordaunt Short speakers (full instructions for the hifi and TV are by the television).
In the downstairs bedroom cupboard you will find beach equipment (whatever has been left by previous guests), plus a beach tent and ball. Please feel free to use these during your stay.
One bath towel and beach towel are provided for each of our guests per stay.
The house has a washing machine with a manual by it. For a basic wash put the detergent in the left compartment of the drawer and turn the dial second notch to the left.
If you require any additional cleaning or washing during your stay, this can be arranged and paid for direct with Giannis, the housekeeper.
You will find two sunlounger beds on the terrace, two deck chairs and several other small tables and chairs for outside use. On several occasions my kids have decided to sleep on them on the terrace and ended up sleeping there under the stars for the whole holiday. This may be an attractive option in high summer. It’s good to be aware of mosquitos though we don’t usually get many around the house.
There are a few English / French books and CDs / DVDs on the shelves. If you use any maps or books, please put them back for others to enjoy.
There are occasional power cuts on the island.
Shopping: The nearest supermarket and bakery is 5 minutes away by car, on the outskirts of Alyki just past the old airport. Alyki has at least one other mini market and souvenir shops, a fishmonger, a butcher, a chemist and an extensive DIY and households goods shop. The main port of Paroikia has larger supermarkets and specialist shops where you can find a wide range of goods and crafts. Naousa is the second largest centre and has more in the way of high-end fashion, art and clothing.
Beaches: One beach tip is Voutakos which is largely unspoilt (with a naturist section too) but does not have any facilities; it’s roughly 7 minutes by car. Turn right at the bakery mentioned above and keep going for about a mile and a half until you see a stone wall on the left. Turn down the track and you can park. If you walk to the right you can usually find fairly unspoilt beach the further you walk. Other good local beaches include 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 in and I’m sure you will easily find one that you love.
Getting Around: A car is a must at Milos House. They are usually available for hire when you arrive at the airport, or the port (several) although I’d always recommend booking in advance in high season. Car and bike rental: Loukis have offices in the main square and at the port and on the peripheral road in Paroikia. https://loukisrental.gr/en/ Tel : +30 22840 23679 (Dora). They would be happy to arrange a car to meet you at the airport or port. Book in advance in high season. Please mention my name for best rates!
Takeaway Food Service - via Giannis our housekeeper
ECO-FRIENDLY:
Non-recyclable rubbish should be deposited at the bottom of the drive by the main road where there is a bulk bin. We request that you empty the bins as you leave and please be aware that an invasion of ants is never far away, so for your comfort, kitchen surfaces and all floors should be kept clean of food at all times. Leaving doors open may invite in the wildlife from the hillside, so please keep doors closed whenever possible.
There are bins to dispose of recyclable rubbish [plastic, cans, glass and paper] at the nearest petrol station at the Kritikos supermarket opposite the bakery near Alyki. If any crockery or glasses are broken they can be easily and cheaply replaced at the household goods shop on the peripheral road which takes you into Paroikia – 30m past the main car park on the left. Or try the DIY shop on the way into Akyki. Please leave a note for Giannis when you leave of any broken plates, glasses, or any other breakages or losses etc and whether you have replaced them so he can keep track of the house inventory.
Check out Clean Blue Paros, We all share a love for the environment and experience nature's wonder, particularly when we are on these beautiful Greek islands.
Would you like any shopping done for when you arrive? Do you need collecting from the port or airport? Will you need extra laundry or cleaning done during your stay (We clean before arrival and after you leave) ? Contact Giannis (he would charge you directly for any extra services).
We would love your feedback and to hear how the holiday went so please write something in the visitors book, which you will find on arrival. Or on the website through which you booked.
If you have any problems or questions please contact my housekeeper GIANNIS via WhatsApp or phone +30 693 9929925
My mobile number is +44 7866 457409
Have a great holiday!
