CHIOS ROUND

This excursion starts around 09.00 am and after picking up the guests from the hotel we drive through Chios town to visit the Central Chios. The quests can visit the famous Byzantine Monastery of Nea Moni, the Medieval and almost abandoned village of Anavatos and enjoy their coffee at the Medieval stone built village of Avgonima.

Then, driving along the picturesque west part of the island we are heading to the South Part of Chios. The clients can see where the famous Chios mastic produced and visit the two beautiful Mastic villages, Mesta and Pirgi. The first stop is at Mesta where the visitors can have lunch if they want and visit the small church of Aghioi Apostle where they can see a very beautifully hand made Wooden temple. Next Stop is Pirgi village where people can enjoy their coffee at the square and walk along the narrow streets while admiring the characteristic graffiti of the houses called "Xista"



NORTH EXCURSION

The excursion starts at about 09.00. On our way to the North, we pass through Chios town. The port is the commercial center of the city and it has always been at the same position as it is now, as well as the town of Chios. The new town has been built on the ruins of the old one, that's why the city has not a traditional style. The only remains are some old neoclassic houses, full of grace and beauty, to remind a past period.

First stop is the Byzantine Monastery called "Moni Moundon" in the village "Diefcha". The church has been restored in 1574. It used to be the most rich and important monastery after "Nea Moni". There was a big library with great selection since 1462 AC. The Monastery was destroyed in 1822, during the Chios massaker and was restored again. There are beautiful frescos dated in four periods 1620, 1730 and 1849.

Next stop is the village of Volissos. Volissos is the most superb village in the North - West of Chios. It used to be the commercial and administrative center of the area. In Vollissos the visitors will visit the beautiful Venetian castle.

After Volissos we visit the Agia Marcela Monastery which is situated near the beach. Agia Marcella, is the protector of Chios and it is celebrated on the 22nd of July. That day, is a local Holiday and all of the habitants of Chios are coming to celebrate and to give honor to the Saint. Stop for lunch in "Limnos" or in "Limnia". The visitors will admire the beauty of he nature, when the sun light is playing with the sea under the sight of the rocks.

After lunch , the return starts. Before we reach Chios town, we will stop for coffee at the small village of "Piteous". The visitors can enjoy the authentic Greek way of life as the village is always full of local people.


INOUSSES BOAT TRIP

At 9:00 o'clock departure from Chios harbor to Inousses. A small still unspoiled island one hour sailing form Chios. During the 2 hours stop you can explore the village of Inousses.The island is known in Greece for its many shipowners who have beautiful on Inousses.

You can visit the interesting Navigation Museum. Afterwards the boat will set for a beautiful beach where you can swim and have lunch with souvlaki prepared on board. On the way back to Chios a stop for coffee at the beautiful fishing village of Lagada.



TURKEY (CESME OR IZMIR)


For both excursions departure at 8:00 o'clock in the morning from Chios harbour. After a boat trip of 45 minuted you will arrive in Turkey in the town of Cesme.

In Cesme you have the opportunity to go for shopping ,visit thermal or Turkish baths and also visit the small castle. There is a seaside boulevard with many restaurants. You can also go a littlwe bit further to the city of Izmir. In this case upon arrival to Cesme a guided coach tour will take you in one hour to Izmir, the third larger city in Turkey with great shopping facilities in the bazaar. On both occasions departure from Cesme to Chios 18:00 hrs from Cesme.



TURKEY (CESME OR EPHESE)


For both excursions departure at 8:00 o'clock in the morning from Chios harbor. After a boattrip of 45 minute the guest will arrive in Turkey in the town of Cesme. In Cesme you have the opportunity to go for shopping ,visit thermal or Turkish baths and also visit the small castle. There is a seaside boulevard with many restaurants.
Another excursion we organize in Turkey is a sightseeing at the ruins of Ephese. The guests are transferred by Bus to the archeological site, they are guided by a professional guide and then they are going by bus to Kusadasi where they have some free time. Transfer by the Bus to the harbor of Cesme. On both occasions departure from Cesme to Chios 18:00 hr. from Cesme.

Six tips for the visitors of Chios


I. Nea Moni-Anavatos-Avgonima and Lithi

The guests can visit the monastery of Nea Moni which is one of the most important monuments of Chios history as well as the village of Anavatos with the scaring heights and the breathtaking views. According to the legent, Nea Mony was built after the order of the first emperor of Byzantine in 1045 ac. The marble and the mosaics of the church are unique. Although the church has been destroyed by the Turkish attack in1822 and after the big earthquaqe in 1881, it is still in a very good condition. Anavatos is known as the ghost village because it is not easily visible because it is built by the stone of the mountain and it is combined perfectly by the enviroment. The guests can rest in the village of Avgonima where they can have coffee or lunch ,walk around the narrow stone made roads and enjoy the wonderful sea view. On their way back, they can visit the village of Lithi and enjoy the "as made of lace" beaches.


II. Pirgi- Olimpi - Mesta

Those villages are known as "mastic villages" because they are the only place of the world where natural mastic is been produced. The guests can really live the culture of the villagers and local people. They are all very friendly and there are many night folklore festivals which are organized during the summer. The special things of those village are: In Pirgi village the outer walls of the houses are decorated with black and white geometrical shapes. This is a remain of the Genoese occupation during the 12th and 13th century.

In Pirgi, the visitors can swim in the, so called, "Black Beach". This black beach is the result of a volcano explosion which happened during the ancient times (the volcano is not active any more). The lava has given a special morphology to the ground which became also very fertile and the
guests can enjoy the beautiful green landscape full of mastic trees and the strong mastic smell.

In Emporios, there is an archeological site on a hill right above the small harbor. There was a small town. The habitant's activities were based on trade (Emporio means Trade in the Greek language). The area has been abandoned by 7th century.

Mesta is an other mastic village which used to be built like a labyrinth with one exit and one entrance. This village was very rich because of the mastic sales and was attacked by pirates from its small harbor(limenas). The village still keeps its old style, the local people are very friendly and it is very famous for producing good wine and a strong alcohol mixture, called "Souma". There are many beautiful beaches totally pure and almost unknown to the wide public in a distance of 2 or three km from the village, these are: Trachilia, Avlonia, Apothika.

Olimpi, is a village found on the way from Pirgi to Mesta. It is a village which has kept the traditional character. There is almost no tourist development there but it worth's a visit because the guest can live some moments between the genuine old way of living.



III. North-West Moni Moundon, Volissos, Agia Markela, Sidirounda.

The atmosphere of the North is completely different of that of the South. The landscape become more mountaineer and now the smell of the pine trees is stronger. The guests can visit Moni Moundon, an old church which used to be very big monastery during the 13th century. Then driving the same way back they continue for Volissos Village, visit the castle and walk around the village with the local people.

The Monastery of Agia Marcella is located 03-04km from the village. It is very famous to the local as the protector of Chios. The beach in Agia Marcella is very clean although a bit cold in early summer months and deep. Limnia, is called an area between Volissos and Agia Marcella, where there are many taverns and really beautiful beaches. On the way to Chios town, the guests, can drive from the west coast of the island, visit the village of Sidirounda and experience the beauty of the nature which will be unforgettable.



IV. North - East

Daskalopetra or Homer's stone ( Daskalos means : Teacher in Greek), Mersinidi Monastery, Lagada, Kardamila. It is a route along the East Coast of the island, the guests can visit the ancient temple of goddess Kiveli, where according to the legend the old Poet Homers was singing his Poems ( Heliade and Odyssey).

Driving along you meet the village of Langada with the picturesque small harbor. Kardamila is the next village where the guests can have lunch in the port. The habitants of these villages are mostly sea men as the land of that part of the island was too hard to be cultivated. Although, the local people are very friendly and the guests can live some relaxed moments among them. In the village of Pitius there is a very well maintained two floored tower built really at the edge of the cliff.



V. South Central- East

The guests can start their day by visiting the church of Panaghia Krina near by "Sklavia" area. The church is built at the end of 12th century and it is open to the public as museum(There is no entrance fee). The area around is green and full of flowers (until the middle of June).
After Sklavia, the guests can continue towards Kalamoti village. In about 05 km from Kalamoti, there is the sandy beach of Komi, very famous to the local people with many taverns and Bars around.
The villages Patrika, Flatsia, Vouno and Kalimasia are totally traditional and away from Tourism. The villagers live from cultivating the land and producing mastic. The landscape is very green and beautiful. After kalimasia there is the village of Kataraktis. In the small harbor with fishing boats and the taverns where there is always fresh fish. On the way to Chios town, the guests can visit the monastery of Agios Minas which is a monument of Chios History.



VI. Kambos - Chios town.

The area of Kambos extends in 07km from Chios town. It is the jewel of our island. It used to be the area where the aristocracy have had their summer holidays. For that reason they built high mansions, consisted of two floors with many rooms, and big gardens. Each mansion has its own plantation with orange and lemon trees. The plantations are "hidden" behind high stone-built walls in order to be protected from the strong winds. The roads are very narrow but it is possible for someone to drive through. The whole atmosphere transfers the visitor back in time.

Chios town is not traditional, not beautifully made. This is because it has been inhabited ever since there was population on the island. The city never changed place but it was rebuilt again and again during the time on the same place. The first habitants of Chios was the Ionians who started from the Center of Greece, inhabited Micro Asia and continued in Chios. The port has been the living spot of the island during the time , the trade flourished not only because of the unique products ( mastic, oranges, tangerines, silk) but also because of the special geographic position of Chios. The island can combine Europe, Asia, Afrika and Russia.

The Castle of Chios has mostly historic interest for the visitors. Its present shape is a result of many disasters ( wars, earthqueqs) which has reduced t its artistic value. It is inhabited nowadays but the guests can still visit the old Turkish cemetery, the prison where the local aristocracy was kept during the Revolution against the Turkish Occupation in1822 and the palace of Justiniani which is museum ( there is entrance fee). In the Byzantine museum ( there is entrance fee) and the archeological museum ( there is entrance fee) there are foundlings from prehistoric, Neolithic, archaic and classic period. In the Library of Korais, the third biggest Library in Greece there is a folklore art museum . The guests can have lunch in one of the restaurants in Chios harbor.