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LOCATION
 The
first travel guide to Greece was written
back in the 200 AD and in the 19th century
Greece was considered a major stop of the
European aristocrats. The country’s most
enduring quality is its archaeological
sites, but the country is much more than
historical sites. Its allure is due to its
intangible qualities, the unique blending of
its East and West culture, the blue sea, the
clear light and the strong character of the
past.
Perched on the easternmost edge of the
Aegean with whitewashed walls, deep blue
sky, olive groves, fig trees, azure Aegean
waters, the island of Lesvos is a gem
in itself. Steeped in Homeric history and
culture, scented by wild fennel and basil,
Greece's third largest island now hosts many
visitors to Greece.
HISTORY & CULTURE
 Mytilini
the capital of the island retains many
architectural treasures of bygone years as
well as the Castle and the remains of the
Ancient Mytilini recently excavated. In the
town’s fine museums you can learn more about
the island's history and you can visit the
many ancient sites throughout the island.
Most people know of Greece's “classical”
period, but the history of Lesvos goes back
two million years as the recent discovery of
prehistoric fauna and fish in the area of
Vatera shows. Tusks and skeletons of giant
mastodons have been found as well as
fossilized bones of ancient horses, camels,
rhinoceros, and a tortoise the size of a
small car. One of the most startling
discoveries is that of a family of giant
apes of the Paradolichopithecus family, the
oldest found in Europe. Archaeological
evidence indicates that Lesvos has been
inhabited since at least the Neolithic
period. During the Bronze Age it had already
developed an exceptionally advanced
civilization similar to the Trojan and
Mycenaean.
The Romans dominated the island in 88 BC.
When the Roman Empire was divided into East
and West, Lesvos became part of the
Byzantine state. The Byzantines
Hibiscus Travel reserves the right to cancel
the tour if less than six persons apply
neglected the island, so around 1151 it was
frequently looted by the Slavs, Saracens,
and Russians and was plundered by the
Venetians and the Crusaders.
 In
1354 Lesvos was ceded as a dowry to the
Genoese noble, Francesco Gattelusi,
son-in-law of the Emperor John Palaiologos.
In 1462 it succumbed to the Sultan Mohamed
II, the Conqueror, after stiff resistance.
The destruction that followed was terrible.
All the young men and women were sent to
Constantinople and the largest part of the
population was exterminated. In 1821 the
islanders were slaughtered again by the
Turks as revenge for setting on fire the
Turkish fleet at Eressos. On the 8th
of November 1912 the island was liberated by
the Admiral Pavlos Koundouriotis who came
with a squadron of the Greek fleet led by
the battle ship Averoff.
Following the burning of Smyrna (present day
Ismir), in 1922 a large number of refugees
from Asia Minor came to Lesvos, In 1923,
after the signing of the treaty of Lausanne,
Lesvos was definitively ceded to Greece.
Between 1930 -1939 (a period which is
referred to as Lesvian Spring) the island
prospered culturally and financially. During
World War II the Germans occupied Lesvos on
May the 4th 1941 and left on
September the 10th, 1944.
 All
these phases have left on the island their
heritage in one form or another -
architecture, sculptures, paintings, crafts
- and in one place or another - on the
landscape, in museums, in churches - to be
appreciated by even the most casual visitor.
Above all, visitors will leave Lesvos with
memories of their encounters with the
oldest of Greek traditions - the
hospitality shown to foreigners.
Everyone is made to feel that is personally
welcome and appreciated.
ACCOMMODATION
You will be staying at a family owned and
managed hotel, the MADONNA Family Hotel in
Vatera; it lies in a scenic location with
well-kept gardens and only 120 m from the
beach. It has a spacious terrace where you
can enjoy a relaxing evening drink and a
bar. All apartments are comfortably
furnished with en suite facilities, radio,
TV, air-conditioning and balconies with sea
or mountain views. Meals will be taken at
local tavernas which feature a selection of
traditional home-cooked dishes, using local
products.
 ITINERARY
Day One:
Transfer from the airport, settling in the
hotel, orientation to the locality, free
time to walk around the village and enjoy
the beach at Vatera.
Day Two:
Visit to the village of Vrisa and the
Natural History Museum.. We will
continue to the mountain village of
Agiasos, to visit the world famous
Church of Panagia Vrefocratousa, the
Byzantine-Ecclesiastical Museum, the
Folklore Exhibition, the Cultural Centre “Anagnostirion”,
the Chapel of the Life Giving Fountain
and the Garden of Madonna. We will have
lunch at the Taverna Douladeli & there will
be plenty of time to visit the renowned
Manos Bakery and the pottery, woodcarving
and textile outlets. We will return to
Vatera in good time for a swim & relaxation
at the beach.
Day Three:
We reach Kalloni after
the famous Wetland with the flamingos. North
of Kalloni we will visit the Monastery
Limonos with its priceless archives of
books and manuscripts, reflecting the
historical, cultural and spiritual course of
the region, through the years. We will
continue to Molyvos where we will have
lunch. We will visit the magnificent
medieval Castle, the Archaeological
Collection and the Public Gallery.
On the way back we will go through Petra,
where we can visit the chapel of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, the "Glykofilousa"
= of the sweet kisses and Mansion of
Vareltzidena. We will return to Vatera
in good time for a swim & relaxation at the
beach.
 Day
Four:
Staying close to home we will visit the
Temple of Dionysus at Agios Focas. From
here
we will drive to
Skamniudi
on the coast of the Gulf of Kalloni to visit
the antiquities of the Byzantine era and for
those that are expert in under water
activities to look out for the sunken
harbour wall of
Ancient Pyrra.
We will have lunch at the harbour taverna in
Skamnioudi or at Achladeri. We will visit
the
Ancient Temple at Messa, & it’s Museum.
On our return we will stop at Polichnitos to
visit the Women’s Co Operative and
sample their products, before a rejuvenating
dip at the
Thermal Springs,
before we return to Vatera.
Day Five:
Driving through
Kalloni to Xidira we will stop at the
only commercial winery at Lesvos,
Methymnaeos.
It produces
a red organic semi dry wine of some
distinction. Following this we will visit
the Perivolis Monastery and the
Ypsilou
monastery.
The next
stop is
Sigri
with
the Petrified
Forest and
the Natural
History Museum.
We will
have lunch at Sigri harbour, where we will
also be able to see the Castle, and
have a swim at the sandy beach. We will
continue to Eressos the birthplace of
Sappho, the lyric poetess called the
tenth muse. We will also visit the small
Archaeological Museum.
We will
continue to Skala Eressos with its
long sandy beach for a swim before we
continue our journey coastally, enjoying the
views of the Gulf of Kalloni, until we
return to base.
 Day
Six:
We will be heading to Mytilene
where there are several places to visit
according to choice: Two Archaeological
Museums, the Castle, the Yeni Tzami, the
Tsarsi Hamam, the Valide Tzami, The
Cathedral of Agioi Theodori, the Church of
Agios Therapon (built 1860) and
LESVOSHOP where a wide variety of Lesvos
and Limnos products can be bought. We will
have lunch in Mytilini and then go south to
visit the
Theofilos & Teriade Art Museums.
On our
return to Vatera we will visit the restored
old watermill “Mylelia”, where durum
wheat is still being ground. More than 50
different air-dried organic pastas can be
bought on the shop on site and other organic
products. There is also an old donkey
–powered olive press to see, and a small
church of Agios Panteleimon. A very
old tree church is near there too.
Day Seven:
Free day to spend as you wish, prior to the
airport transfer
PS.
Festivals and celebrations of various kinds
are part of life in Lesvos. Depending on the
time of the year & if they match with the
dates of this holiday, they will be included
in the program.
Hibiscus Travel reserves the right to change
the programme if necessary.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
-
Airport Transfers & Transportation
during the course,
-
Seven nights full-board accommodation
(Buffet breakfast, lunch or picnic
according to location, evening meal at
taverna accompanied with local wine).
-
Professional Guide
-
Fees to Museums
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
·
Flights to Lesvos
WE CAN ADVICE YOU FOR FLIGHTS TO LESVOS
-
Insurance
-
Tips
-
Expenses
of personal nature
DATES
This tour will be available from July
onwards and until October on flexi dates.
A minimum of 2 persons is required to make a
booking. Groups will be no larger than 8
persons.
RATES
The rates per person will be determined by
the number of participants to the Tour.
An
Early Booking Discount of 10% applies to
confirmed bookings made before
the
end of February.
Let Us Know if this TOUR is of Interest to
you
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