My Favorite Airbnb: A Traditional Cycladic Home Overlooking the Aegean Sea

There is something special about Greece that goes beyond the incredible landscapes. It’s the atmosphere that you rarely find anywhere else, a mix of deep relaxation and electric joy that I feel any time I land on one of the islands. That's why I have visited Greece every year for the last 10 years. Every time an opportunity arises to get myself a freddo cappuccino in the sun, you can be sure I will be there. This year, though, I wanted to graduate from tourist to short-term resident, so I packed my bags for a month-long stint in the Mediterranean country. My base was Athens, a buzzing city getting its mojo back. It’s busy, loud, and lively—everything you want from a capital and more. But after 10 days hopping from cafés to tavernas, we decided to do as the Greeks do and take an Easter break to the islands, choosing Paros as our destination and booking an Airbnb called Nerea Idyllic Sunset Home. From May to September, most Greek islands are packed with tourists and island-hoppers getting their sun fix, but if you want to avoid the crowds and live the real island life, the off-season months are a perfect time to visit. The weather is balmy but not too hot, almost solely reside