TRAVELING IN GREECE / LESVOS: A plane-tree leaf in the Aegean Sea!

Lesvos, or Mytilini, if you prefer, the third largest Greek island (after Crete and Evia), so serene, with its beautiful villages, the magnificent beaches, the narrow streets, the beautiful market and the picturesque harbour is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and special destinations. And if you feel that in summer this island is magical, you can not even imagine how it is in winter. Personally I am in many ways very close to Lesvos, since a piece of my mind and soul is permanently there, and after the eighth in order visit there, I decided to write about the magic of this island as I experience it every time I visit it.

MYTILENE, the island's capital. A beautiful city with a very traditional style. Above the port area, the market and the castle are the most impressive parts of Mytilene. From the port you can admire the front of the amphitheatrically built town, in the market you can visit the church of St. therapists, to make shopping or even to walk from one side to the other, watching the windows of the stores and finally, the castle or in the park next to it you can pass a few moments of relaxation, admire the panoramic city and experience the many years of the island’s history.

THE VILLAGES scattered around the map, each distinguished by its unique beauty and bold tradition that the inhabitants tend to hold. Molyvos (or Mithymna) to the north of the island, thanks to the architecture of buildings as well as its geographical position gives the impression that you are in Riviera of Italy, amphitheatrically built with colourful houses and the castle at the top, is one of the most beautiful areas of Lesvos. A little further south to Molyvos, Petra (in Greek means Rock), which took its name from the huge rock which is situated in the village centre and hosts on the top the temple of Virgin Mary Glykophilousa (Loving Kindness). Near Petra, at an altitude of 150m., Mantamados, the village of pottery, with its famous monastery of the Archangel Michael and the delicious donuts. To the west of the island, Sigri, a beautiful village with a port, with huge waves crashing on the rocks outside the harbour and the endless natural beauty, hospitality and the natural history museum dedicated to the Petrified Forest, located just further east, where the lava and volcanic ash encounter the deep blue Aegean Sea, is the larger of the two major petrified forests in the world (the other is the petrified forest national Park in Arizona). And then, do not miss to visit Eressos, where takes place every summer the International Women’s Festival (Lesvos’ Lesbian Festival), Kalloni, which produces the famous pickled sardines of Kalloni, Plomari, which made ​​the world famous ouzo Plomari, Agiasos, perhaps my favourite village in Lesvos, built to high altitude, with narrow streets and shops, with people packed in summer but beautiful in winter, with the famous "Café Theophilus" and the Virgin Mary of Agiasos. 

THE BEACHES that worth to be visited are numerous, with most basic the beach of Vatera, which is the longest beach in the Balkans, especially cold and deep, with large waves, the incomparable beauty Tarti, one of the lesser known beaches of the island and with a landscape really true nature, a quiet bay with a rock in the centre and two taverns exactly where the waves pop, Golden Sands, the pebbled beaches of Skala and Skala Mystegnon, Scala of New Kydonies, Scala Skamias, Petra and Anaxos, with sandy beaches, attract bathers, while privacy and seclusion offers the graphical Tsichranta, a few miles west, Eftalou and Evreiaki beach, and in Plomari, Agios Isidoros, Melina, Drota and Ammoudeli.

OTHER AREAS of the island worth visiting is Gera with Perama, Papados, Paleokipos and Skopelos, as well as Polichnitos.

THE MARKET of the city offers a wide variety of products both clothing and footwear, and food and souvenirs. In the centre of the city, the church of St. Therapontas, built by the famous architect Argiris Adalis, dominates the area and impresses with its construction. Cross the city centre and head to the famous castle.

AYVALIK, the town in the coast of Turkey, ideal for a daily excursion by boat departing from the port of Mytilene. It takes just an hour and you can travel with a passport or only with the new ID card and the price is very low. Ayvalik has one of the largest markets of Turkey, from where visitors can buy branded products in very low prices. If you're going to, make sure you have a medium-sized suitcase together and enough money to refresh your wardrobe.

ENTERTAINMENT in Lesvos is not like to the other islands of the Aegean Sea. The most coffee-bars are at the port of Mytilene and are open until the early morning hours. Often, great artists perform concerts or live in music halls of the island, especially in Iera club, Gera Bay. In summer many theatres tour in the city of Mytilene.

TIPS AND USEFUL

1. Tickets: Book in time your airline tickets through pamediakopes.gr or gr.skyscanner.com and take advantage of the low prices. Otherwise access to the island you can have with a shipping company from Athens, Thessaloniki or Kavala. LINKS: www.pamediakopes.gr, www.gr.skyscanner.com
2. Accomodation: You can find a budget hotel or a room by calling the corresponding accommodation, which you can found easily with a search on Google. You might also consult booking.com!
3. Food: Enjoy traditional cuisine in one of the quaint seaside tavernas on the island.
4. Transportation: The Intercity Bus network is quite good compared to other islands, especially during the morning hours. However I suggest for your convenience to rent a car and enjoy the island. PAY ATTENTION ... Driving in Mytilene is a dangerous sport.
5. Advice: Climb the narrow alleys of Molivos up to the castle at the top, navigate to the area and finally enjoy an outdoor hot or cold beverage in the harbour area with your love… Trust me!

To my dearest one!

…by Odysseas Karamitros!