Greek Islands & Northeast
Greece - Greek Islands & Itineraries |
![]() Thasos | Samothraki | Limnos | Ayios Evstratios | Lesvos | Chios | Samos | Ikaria
Thasos Thassos, famous in antiquity for its gold and marble, lies just off the coast of Eastern Macedonia (6km or 4miles). Its wooded mountain scenery, its creeks and bathing beaches as well as its excellent hotels make it a delightful island resort for holidays.The island which covers about 380 sq. km. is composed of marble and gray green gneiss. The marble ridge of Mt. Ypsari rises out of the surrounding uplands to a height of 1003 m (3291 feet). Ample rainfall in autumn and winter sustains the luxuriant vegetation which clothes the landscape. There are several sorts of pine tree : sea pines, Aleppo pines and Corsican pines; also olives, walnut and even poplars.
Samothraki The island's very high mountain, Saos, is the most impressive sight, and the first thing that appears as your ship sails towards the island.
Limnos Limnos is a volcanic island in the northeast Aegean. According to Homer, it was the island that Hephaistos- god of fire - protected and thought the inhabitants the art of working iron, an art that the Limnians still practice today. One of the many archeological sites on the island is Ancient Hephaistia. The ruins of the city lie in northeastern Limnos. Hephaistia owes its name to the smith god, Hephaistos and was built during th 6th and 5th centuries BC. On Cape Chloe stands the Sanctuary of the Cabeiroi. Here, special rites of occult character were celebrated, whose central theme was the regeneration of men and life : the famous Cabeiroi Mysteries. Other important archeological sites, are Poliochni and the Temple of Artemis . Myrina, the beautiful and hospitable capital, is dominated by its imposing hilltop castle. Old houses and mansions, narrow paved streets and tavernas are typical features of Myrina, and of Limnos as a whole. The beaches of Romeikos Yalos, Richa Nera, Fanaraki and Havouli are among the best places to swim and relax, combining crystal clear sea, golden sand and delightful seaside tavernas. On the west side of the island is Therma, a spa set with medicinal waters.
Ayios Evstratios
Lesvos Due to its mild and healthy climate with its temperate winter, its many rainfalls, its bright spring and sunny summer, Lesvos is a very productive island. The fishing industry is also very developed (Kalloni's salted sardines are famous). During the recent years tourism has become a major contribution in Lesvos economy.
Chios The island with the beautiful beaches, the pinewoods, the citrus trees, the vineyards, the olive trees, the big impressive mansions, the medieval villages. Geographically Chios lies to the south of the island of Lesvos, north of the island of Samos, and 9 nautical miles from the western coast of the port of Tsesme in Turkey.
Samos Samos today is a nice green island which attracts tourists from all over the world, not only for the nice and endless beaches but also because of the history which left its mark everywhere. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Samos, not only for the endless beaches and the clear water bays but also because they have the opportunity to visit the monuments which exist all over the island and prove its glamour through the centuries. Samos is one of the most important Hellenic islands. The monuments and the museums which bear witness to the history of the island and Hellas, together with the clean beaches, the traditional villages, the monasteries and the churches, not to mention the night life, comprise an island that one cannot afford not to visit.
Ikaria Ikaria was named after Ikaros, the son of Daidalos. Ikaros escaped from the labirynth of Crete with his father using wings which were glued on his body with wax. While flying, Ikaros didn't pay attention to his father's advice and flew high towards the sun.The sun melted the wax that was holding the wings and Ikaros fell to the sea and drowned. |
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