Yacht Ouzo
Chios – The Cosmopolitan ancient paradise of the Aegean by Giorgos Kontopoulos
Crowded with dozens of splendid yachts cosmopolitan Chios home of many a ship mogul is certainly one Greek isle savvy travelers should visit any time of the year.
Chios will absolutely exceed your expectations in fine dining, lazy lounging by the sea and robust nightlife. If you’re in search of a tranquil yet stimulating vacation, the 33 mile long Chios is one of the most diverse islands in the Aegean. Multiple conquerors through the ages: Ionians, Persians, Athenians, Romans, Saracens, pirates, Venetians, Genovese, Franks, and, of course, the Turks left their mark making Chios most abundant in historical site seeing destinations.
Population of over 50,000, Chios bursts with life all year long. The island’s port Xora built around the outer walls of an ancient fortress is crowded and lively, with more restaurants and cafes then any visitor could ever patron on one trip.
Just outside town is Kambos, with some 200 magnificent country estates, one of the most distinctive and elegant areas in Greece. Spend a beautiful afternoon strolling narrow lanes laced with tall elaborate stone-and-iron gates. On the outskirts of the port is popular Karfas, a long and wide sandy beach lined with hotels and taverns, which offers a full range of water sports. Farther south is the picturesque Emborio home to Mavra Volia beach. The three coves lie between two volcano centers and provide a one of a kind ink black stone beach with crystal clear waters. In Mesta a medieval town, constructed as a fortress against pirates, walk within a thick castle wall and winding streets to the central square and its ornate church, surrounded by antique stone houses and interconnecting arches.
Drive through an arid moonscape toward the hills and breathtaking sea views to reach Volissos. Spend the day at the beach of the island’s patron saint Agia Markella where the church stands by the water. From there move on to Anavatos built into mountain tops, literally invisible to the naked eye an architectural marvel of a village to experience a view that makes you feel you have wings. A few miles eastward is Vrontados, sit in Homer’s seat of stone where the poet conducted his lessons. Every Easter Saturday during Greek Orthodox celebrations the two rival parishes fire hundreds of thousands of makeshift rockets aiming at the opposing church’s bell tower in a centuries-old tradition. Neighboring is the artistic town of Pirgi home of the famous mastic trees that grow nowhere else in the world. The tangled barks pricked with religious respect tear with diamond like, divinely fragranced liquid. Almost every dwelling boasts handmade gray-black patterns of circles, stars, crescents, diamonds, rectangles and other more elaborate art work scratched into white stucco.
Chios caters to one and all. Whether you love lounging by the sea, partying hard or just relaxing in an intimate cove drinking ouzo at a tavern sifting through your book, visiting remarkable historical sites and exploring, this multifaceted island will win your graces and welcome you back again and again.
About the Author
Learn more about Chios. For reservations on Chios Hotels you might want to consider Medieval Castle Suites Chios Hotel which offers all modern facilities with the experience of living in a 14th Century village.
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