• Day 1 Samos - Kusadasi
(Turkey)
(12 miles)
• Day 2 Kusadasi
• Day 3 Kusadasi - Hios
(55 miles)
• Day 4 Hios - Lesvos
(63 miles)
• Day 5 Lesvos
• Day 6 Lesvos - Limnos
(120miles)
• Day 7 Limnos - Ouranopolis
(70 miles)
• Day 8 Ouranopolis -
Porto Koufo
(23 miles)
EMBARKATION: SAMOS
DISEMBARKATION: PORTO KOUFO
SAMOS is the closest of the Greek islands to
Turkey - just a mile across. Thick pine forests cover most of the lower
slopes and villages perch precariously on small plateaus. There is a grandeur
and grace to Samos unequalled elsewhere. In ancient times Samos was known
as Parthenoarroussa for its beauty, Dryoussa for its oaks, Anthemis for
its flowers and Hydrele for its abundant springs. Although an island ravaged
and pillaged by corsairs in years gone by it is neither run down nor poor
in spirit. On the contrary, the island leaves you with a feeling of happiness
and friendliness. The muscat wine is superb.
HIOS is clained to be the birthplace of Homer, "that blind old
man of rocky Hios". Homer called the island "craggy" and the epithet is
deserved. During the Greek War of Independence (1821) the towns of Hios
were razed and thousands of Hians were massacred by the Turks. This was
to awaken the world to the Greek struggle. The mastic tree is cultivated
on the island and the resin obtained from the punctured stems is used
mainly to make "mastika", which is potent liquer, and a concoction called
"The Submarine" a spoonful of mastic jam in a glass of water.
KUSADASI
(Turkey) is a booming tourist town built on the site of ancient Neapolis
of which nothing remains. With numerous carpet shops, souvenir shops and
restaurants it is the gateway to the nearby ancient ruins of Ephesus.
The ruins are Hellenistic with a Roman overlay after Rome made Ephesus
the capital of the province. The site is impressive for its size and for
the clarity with which you can picture the ancient city. You can walk
down the Marble Street and see the ruins of a theatre, the agora, library,
odeon, stadium, gymnasium, and even a so-called brothel.
LESVOS is the largest of the Greek islands in the Eastern Aegean.
It is grander, greener and more fertile than any of the other islands.
The flat land is cultivated with market gardens and fields of tobacco.
The olives of Lesvos have long been celebrated and today the plump olives
and Lesvos olive oil are among the best in Greece. Just as the spacious
and wooded island is pleasing to the eye, so the ancient associations
are memorable ones of the gentle arts of music and philosophy. Greatest
of all is the poetess Sappho who was born in Lesvos about 612 B.C
LIMNOS is situated in the middle of northern Aegean and was an
important island with one of the most advanced Bronze Age civilisations
in Greece. Lying halfway across the wind-tossed Aegean it was the logical
stepping stone between Europe and Asia Minor. It is likely that Troy was
founded from Limnos. The island is only partially wooded and possesses
an abundance of well-sheltered natural harbours with fine beaches and
clear water.
OURANOPOLIS is the gateway to Mount Athos. This peninsula has for
over 10 centuries existed as a world unto itself. Divorced from the modern
world, this area is occupied by a holly community and has no roads or
electricity and few telephones. It has administrative autonomy which includes
financial and judicial authority. Mediaeval monasteries are set on spectacular
sites on rocky bluffs and precipitous cliff-sides. Females are not allowed
to set foot in the monasteries. The countryside is densely wooded, mostly
with pine that grows down to the water's edge and shades what are considered
the finest sandy beaches in Greece.
PORTO KOUFO is one of the most magnificent natural harbours. Sheer
red cliffs at the entrance open up to the large landlocked bay bordered
by poplars and cultivated fields. The wines produced in this area are
excellent and the reds and whites bottled under the appellation "Porto
Carras Domaine" are well worth sampling.
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