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 mem
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.