It takes a little effort to reach the small Cycladic island of Paros.
But it’s worth it if you like beautiful beaches, blue-domed churches and harbors where waterside tavernas serve charcoal-grilled fish and spanakopita (spinach pie).
My Greek friend Theo and I arrived after a three-hour high-speed ferry trip from Piraeus.
You can also fly there via Athens or head to big sister Mykonos and take a 45-minute ferry ride.
While this larger island is known for its hedonism, sunsets, and hordes of cruise ships, Paros is just 13 miles long and a favorite among Greek vacationers.
White and beautiful: Charlie Kitcat explores the Greek island of Paros, settling in the village of Naoussa (photo)
We stayed in Naoussa, once a peaceful fishing village but now the tourist center of the island.
Our room at the reasonably priced Iris Boutique Hotel had a balcony overlooking the whitewashed town.
Jewelry and clothing boutiques line the winding streets while the ruins of a 15th-century Venetian castle stretch out into the mesmerizing Aegean Sea.
In the 1970s, Paros was a party destination – until authorities briefly closed the island to foreign tourists.
Now it’s trending again after being a location for the Netflix miniseries One Day. Airbnb saw a 32% increase in searches from UK travelers.
Charlie visits the town of Parika, home to a traditional windmill, pictured, overlooking the water
Formerly a peaceful fishing village, Naoussa is today a tourist hub. Pictured: the local beach
New villas are “springing up like mushrooms,” as one islander put it, along with elegantly designed luxury hotels, like the 38-room Avant Mar on Piperi Beach.
With its private pools, its thermal baths-themed spa and its restaurant run by starred chef Nobu Matsuhisa, it is unabashedly aimed at wealthy sun lovers.
So, is Paros the new Mykonos? Not yet, but with the opening of an international airport next year, it clearly will.
Charlie says Paros “could well be a new target for the TikTok brigade”. Above, Kolymbithres beach on the island
Pictured: One of the rooms at the “reasonably priced” Iris Boutique Hotel where Charlie is staying
We rented a car to explore. In Parikia, the small but satisfying Archeology Museum displayed enchanting works of art created over 2,000 years ago.
We learned that in classical times, Parian marble was valued for its translucency and used in sculptures such as the Venus de Milo. It also adorns the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte in Paris.
Another interesting stop was Butterfly Valley, a wooded nature reserve where, in summer, thousands of Jersey tiger butterflies flock with bright red underwings only revealed in flight.
Charlie rides up into the mountains to Lefkes, pictured, where he dines at Taverna Agnadio
One morning we took the seven-minute €1.50 (£1.30/$1.60) ferry west to Antiparos, which is smaller and more traditional than its hardcore neighbor.
While visiting its historical and folk museum, we were offered olives and a glass of local Tsipouro, a potent ouzo-like spirit.
Above, baked feta in filo with a drizzle of honey (archive image)
Yet even here, there was a feeling that things were moving.
“You know that Tom Hanks has a house in Antiparos? said a waiter.
Then, a little later, a merchant couldn’t help but boast that “the Obamas were here last week.”
Back in Paros, Theo and I went up into the mountains to Lefkes.
As the sun set, we sat at Taverna Agnadio, savoring its panoramic view of white churches and windmills as succulent plates of tzatziki and honey-coated fried feta landed on the table.
It’s fair to say that Paros makes its presence felt. It was conquered by the Byzantines and Ottomans – and could well become a new target for the TikTok brigade. All the more reason to go now.