Greece 2026 - Day 8, Naxos

4 May 2026 Naxos, Greece Weather: Sunny weather returned at last. Partly cloudy in the morning before giving way to clear blue skies, gentle breeze and perfect spring temperatures. We later learnt that the day before had been the coldest May day Greece had experienced in seventy years. Today was also the final full day for the Yeos before they returned to Athens and eventually home. Our first stop was the Eggares Olive Press Museum. It turned out to be one of the more educational visits of the trip. We learnt about the differences between extra virgin and virgin olive oils, the timing of the harvest, traditional production methods and the importance of cold pressing. The olive oil tasting was surprisingly enjoyable. Some oils were grassy and fruity while others delivered a peppery kick that arrived a few seconds later at the back of the throat. Alongside the oils were olive based jams, cakes, soaps and hand creams, all carefully positioned to encourage visitors to spend a little money. Judging by our shopping bags, the strategy worked. A short drive brought us to the village of Melanes. We had not planned anything specific there and simply decided to explore. An elderly lady greeted us with a smile and a cheerful wave as we entered. A few minutes later, we found ourselves navigating increasingly narrow lanes before eventually reversing our way out of what felt like a stone maze. Looking back, we suspect the lady was not welcoming us into the village at all. She was probably trying to warn us not to drive in. Lunch was at Taverna Paradiso on Plaka Beach, where tables sat directly on the sand beneath the shade of tamarisk trees. Cats wandered freely between diners while the sea sparkled just a few metres away. Since rain had interrupted our visit the previous day, we returned to Apeiranthos in the afternoon. The marble village was every bit as charming as we remembered. Narrow alleys, traditional stone houses and small artisan shops made for a pleasant wander. After a caffeine stop at Samaradiko Café, we headed back to Chora. The fuel gauge sat nervously close to empty, but we decided to take our chances. Thankfully, the car made it back to the rental office without drama. While the rest of the group headed towards Portara for sunset, HH and I slipped away to collect the birthday cakes and pick up a couple more bottles of Moutousi wines. By the time everything was organised, sunset was already unfolding. Instead of watching it from Portara, we found ourselves admiring it from outside Oceano while carrying cakes and wine bottles. Things became slightly more complicated when we discovered wife was nowhere to be found at Portara. A small communication mix up had left her waiting patiently at Oceano while the rest of us were elsewhere. Fortunately, everyone eventually reunited at Doukato Restaurant. Dinner featured excellent swordfish skewers paired with crisp white wines, while yet another resident cat patrolled the tables looking for opportunities. Back at Oceano 4 later that evening, the real purpose of the trip finally arrived. We brought out the surprise cakes and celebrated Eeleen and wife's 50th birthdays surrounded by good friends, laughter and wine. The farewell for the Yeos was emotional, but there was also a sense of satisfaction. Months of planning, flights, ferries, hotels, wineries, restaurants and countless messages had all led to this moment. The trip was never really about Greece. It was always about celebrating two dear friends turning fifty, and doing so together in a place beautiful enough to make the memories last a lifetime.