Paige & Matthew
06 . 26 . 2 7
PARALIO ASTROS, GREECE
take a chance on us
❤︎
take a chance on us ❤︎
A few honest words before anything else: we know this is a lot. Greece is far. Flights are expensive. Time off is precious. Kids, jobs, mortgages, life.. we get it! If you can't make the trip, please don't stress for a second. We love you and we'll miss you.And if you can come? We are going to throw the best big fat Greek-ish weekend we possibly can, and we can't wait to share it with you.Friday, June 25
Welcome Party | Time TBD
Gus & Wendy’s Villa
Paralio Astros, Greece
Saturday, June 26
Ceremony | Time TBD
Location TBD
Paralio Astros, Greece
Reception | Time TBD
Gus & Wendy’s Villa
Paralio Astros, Greece
Sunday, June 27
Beach Party | Time TBD
Location TBD
Paralio Astros, Greece
The Weekend
Getting to us takes a bit of effort, but the views are worth it. All international flights from Canada arrive at Athens International Airport (ATH). From there, it's a beautiful 2.5–3 hour drive south to Astros along the Peloponnese coast.
Flying In
There are no direct flights to Athens from anywhere in Canada west of Toronto, so most of us will be connecting somewhere. Here's a quick guide based on where you're flying from:
From Calgary (YYC)
• Air Canada — via Toronto or Montreal. Best for Aeroplan miles and baggage transfers.
• KLM — via Amsterdam. Often the smoothest connection.
• Lufthansa — via Frankfurt or Munich.
• British Airways — via London Heathrow.
Total travel time: roughly 14–17 hours.
From Vancouver / BC (YVR)
• Air Canada — via Toronto or Montreal.
• KLM — via Amsterdam (a sweet spot for one-stop BC travelers).
• Lufthansa — via Frankfurt.
Total travel time: roughly 16+ hours.
From Saskatchewan (YXE / YQR) and Manitoba (YWG)
• Air Canada — connecting through Calgary, Toronto, or Montreal. Usually bookable as one ticket.
• WestJet + KLM partnership — routing through Amsterdam. Book through KLM.
• Lufthansa — usually via Toronto then Frankfurt.
From New Brunswick (YFC / YQM / YSJ)
• Air Canada — via Montreal or Toronto. Simplest option.
• Air Transat — seasonal direct service from Montreal/Toronto to Athens in summer (which works perfectly for our June dates).
If you can get to Halifax (YHZ), you'll have more international connection options.
Booking Tips
• Book early, aim for January or February 2027 for the best fares. Summer to Greece sells out.
• Fly into Athens (ATH) only. No other airport makes sense for getting to Astros.
• Plan to arrive at least one day before the welcome event to shake off jet lag (Greece is 9–10 hours ahead of Canada).
• If you have flexibility, consider a stopover in London, Amsterdam, or Paris on the way over or back — some airlines (KLM, Icelandair) allow free stopovers.
• Tell us your arrival time on the RSVP so we can help coordinate rides from Athens with other guests.
From Athens to Paralio Astros
Paralio Astros is about 2.5 hours from Athens by car, tucked along the Peloponnese coast. The drive itself is part of the adventure, winding past olive groves, mountain villages, and the Aegean coastline. Here are your options:
Rent a Car (Our Top Recommendation)
This is what we'd suggest for most guests. Greece is best explored on your own schedule, and you'll likely want wheels for beach days, day trips to nearby towns like Nafplio, Mycenae, and Monemvasia, and grabbing dinner at tavernas along the coast.
• Pick up at Athens Airport (ATH): every major rental company has a counter right at arrivals.
• Recommended companies: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, and local favorite Autorent.
• Book early: rentals in Greece sell out for summer, and prices climb fast.
• Manual vs automatic: automatics are pricier and limited, book one early if you need it.
• What you'll need: valid driver's license, credit card, and an International Driving Permit (technically required in Greece, easy to get from CAA before you leave for around $25).
• The drive: mostly highway (E65), straightforward, well-signed, with a few euros in tolls.
Group Shuttle (If We Have Enough Interest)
If a group of guests is arriving around the same time, we may organize a shared shuttle or van rental from Athens to Paralio Astros. Let us know your arrival details on your RSVP (or when you know) and we'll coordinate if there's enough interest.
Ride Share with Other Guests
If you'd rather split a rental car or taxi with others, let us know on your RSVP (or when you know) and we'll help connect you with guests arriving on similar schedules.
Bus + Train + Bus (The Budget Option)
Possible but a bit of a journey, best for guests who love public transit and have time to spare:
• Metro or taxi from Athens Airport to Kifissos Bus Station (KTEL)
• KTEL Arcadia bus to Tripoli or Astros (~3 hours)
• Local taxi from drop-off to your accommodation
Total travel time: ~4–5 hours. Cost: roughly €25–40. Check KTEL Arcadia schedules closer to the date as they change seasonally.
Private Taxi / Transfer
The most door-to-door option, but the priciest:
• Direct taxi from Athens Airport to Astros: around €250 one way.
• Pre-booked private transfer services (Welcome Pickups, GetTransfer): often similar price, sometimes cheaper, with English-speaking drivers.
Best for: guests with mobility considerations, those traveling with lots of luggage, or anyone who just wants to relax after a long flight.
Getting There
Where to stay
Wendy and Gus's family villas sit right on the Aegean Sea, just outside Paralio Astros, with private pools and direct access to the water.
The villas are currently reserved for immediate family. If any family ends up unable to make it as the date approaches, spots may open up and you're welcome to email us/contact Paige to be added to the waitlist.
For everyone else, Paralio Astros is a charming coastal town with hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnbs in every style and budget. Below are some options we've put together, grouped by how close they are to the villas. The town itself, with its harbor, beaches, restaurants, and nightlife, is a 20 minute walk from where the celebrations will be.
We'd recommend booking by January 2027 as summer fills up fast in Greece.
Closest to the Villas
These are right in town, a short walk or 5-minute drive from where we'll be celebrating.
Astros Beach Hotel: Modern hotel with sea and castle views, breakfast included. Comfortable rooms, friendly staff, right in town. Mid-range. 4.2★
Vythos Rooms: Right next to the beach with a restaurant and beach bar downstairs. Small property, so book early. Mid-range. 5.0★
Filoxenia Apartments & Studios: Family-run with a beautiful garden, comfortable beds, near bars and restaurants. Mid-range. 4.6★ astros-filoxenia.gr
Castle View Studios: Walkable to the beach, port, supermarket, and restaurants. Studios with kitchenettes. Great for guests who want to explore on foot. Budget-friendly. 4.5★
Short Drive Away (5-15 minutes):
A little further out, perfect for guests wanting a quieter, boutique stay.
Anigraia Hotel: Beautiful architecture, swimming pool, spacious rooms with balconies, homemade food. A favourite for guests wanting a treat-yourself experience. Upscale boutique. 4.7★
Paralio Astros Beachfront Suite (Eva's Villas): Private suites called Maria and Eleni, steps from a quiet private beach. Beach chairs, umbrella, and even a kayak included. Mid-upscale. 5.0★
Group Villa Rentals on Airbnb
For families or friend groups who want to share a house with private space, here are some Paralio Astros villas worth checking out.
Villa Salanti: Paralio Astros area, family-friendly.
Luxury Villa Ydria: Upscale stay in Paralio Astros.
Into The Blue Villa: Seaside villa in Paralio Astros.
Villa Romina: Family-friendly, well-rated.
Villa Argie: Family-friendly with great reviews.
Glyfada Villas: A cluster of three stone villas sharing a community pool — could work nicely if a few couples want to be near each other.
Lux Estate & 2 Flats: Tennis court, pool, near superb beaches. Sleeps a larger crew.
Private Villa with Swimming Pool in Orange Groves: Nearby, great for a group wanting privacy.
Search Airbnb directly:All Paralio Astros staysFamily-friendly homes with pools
Most villas sleeping 6-10 people run €200-500/night in summer, so splitting a villa among 3-5 couples often beats hotel pricing.
Need a Hand?
If you'd like recommendations tailored to your group, your budget, or your travel style, just reach out at paigemahnic@.
Getting Around
Parailo Astros is a small coastal town, so most things are walkable or a short drive away. Here's the lay of the land:
Once You're Here
• On foot: the town center, beach, and tavernas are all within easy walking distance for most accommodations.
• By car: having a rental gives you the freedom to explore nearby towns and beaches. Parking is easy and free in most spots.
• Local taxis: available but limited in number. We'll share local taxi numbers closer to the date.
Worth Exploring While You're Here
• Nafplio: Greece's first capital, gorgeous old town, ~35 hour drive.
• Mycenae: Ancient ruins and the legendary Lion Gate, ~1 hour drive.
• Monemvasia: medieval fortress town carved into a cliff, ~2 hours drive.
• Local beaches: there are countless little coves and bays to discover along the coast.
Children?
Yes PLEASE! Bring all the kids!
Georgie and Francine will be partying with us until the wee hours, and we want their cousins and friends right there alongside them. Most of the kids coming will be immediate family staying at Wendy and Gus's villas, and we'll have quiet spaces ready to put little ones down for the night when the dancing gets too late for them.
There will be kids' activities planned throughout the weekend, and children are welcome at every event.
Traveling with little ones? Reach out, we'd love to help with logistics.