Paros is the third biggest island of the Cyclades, a group of islands situated at the middle of the Aegean sea and can be reached in a four hour ferry trip from Athens. Amongst Mykonos and Santorini, it is one of the most developed islands and a very popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. It is the home of a very active international community of writers and artists, which together with the relaxed bohemian atmosphere and idyllic beauty of the place makes Paros a wonderful environment to work and learn. At the same time, the island’s proximity to numerous other popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Delos and Syros as well as Rhodes and Crete, which are served by daily ferry, makes Paros an ideal base from where to explore and get to know the Greek islands. Important places to see include the old Byzantine church of a Hundred doors, numerous monasteries, the archaeological sites of Paros, Naxos and Delos and the beautiful 1864 Apollo theatre at the stylish neo-classical town of Ermoupolis, Syros, home of the International Music Festival of the Aegean in the summer.