Lesvos, the island of harmony and beauty
Lesvos is beautiful. Olive tree covered hillsides reaching down to the sea and mountains thick with walnut, chestnut and cherry trees and lush ravines with plane trees and streams succeed the cool fragrant gardens of the villages of Gera. At the centre of the island, Ayiassos and the villages clustered around the slopes of the forested Olympos, the fresh crystal waters of the spring of Karyni and the old plane tree the folk artist Theophilos had made his home. To the west is the area of the Petrified Forest. The strong summer light creates a game of shadows enhancing the forms of a hilly landscape with gorges spotted with oleander and willows that roll down to small valleys by the sea. Around it all is the sea, embracing the island with the volcanic sand at Eressos and the soft dunes of Gavathas. Chroussos, Podaras, Pedino, Tavari, Kalo Limani, Yeni Limani, Tsichranta, Tsonia, Tarti, Ag. Ermogenis, Kaya all small beaches far from the crowd, with picturesque taverns by the sea where the visitor can rest and enjoy the island’s cooking. At the bay of Kalloni, Skala, Apothika, Achladeri, Skala Vasilikon, Nyphida, Parakoila, fishing villages with quiet little ports, warm waters, sandy beaches.At the north-eastern part Skala Sykamias, Eftalou, Molyvos, Petra, Anaxos. The changes in the landscape are astonishing.Secluded beaches and further down organized ones where one can rent equipment for all types of sport or umbrellas and deck chairs to just lie around in the sun doing nothing or go to bar or a kafeneion to enjoy cool drinks and music. From the EOT (Greek Tourist Organisation) beach in Mytilini to Thermi, Xambelia, Petalidi and the sandy beaches of the bay of Gera or the truly unique beach at Eressos and all round the island in general the visitor is sure to find what he desires. It is certain that throughout the year a tour around Lesvos by car, jeep, motorcycle, bicycle, donkey or on foot will delight everybody who is even slightly touched by the beauty of nature. One can walk everywhere around the island. Lesvos is ideal for walking. And for those who do not care about discovering the paths and the slopes of the island themselves four routes have been specifically marked out: Vatera - Gera winding through olive groves and woods with pines, oaks, chestnut and plane trees; Petra - Lapsarna along bays, creeks and promontories through olive groves and orchards; Kapi - Sykamia holm-oak, grey rock, olive trees, on the one hand the Bay of Kalloni and on the other Asia Minor; and finally Sigri - Eressos the severe volcanic landscape, rock, dust, sea and sky. The multifaceted landscape of Lesvos. For the summer months. Lesvos has a wide variety of great beaches to offer, open to the Aegean sea or protected in soft curve bays, sandy beaches, pebbly or rocky ones, isolated or organised. Many of the latter provide water sport facilities. In the recent years there has been a rise in activities such as sailing, surfing and scuba diving. During summer nights tavernas, lively bars with Greek and foreign dancing music, live groups and concerts or quiet corners by the sea can satisfy even the most demanding taste.