Walk your way through Orthodox Easter in Chios Island, Greece

12-19 April 2009

Day 1 to Day 4: Monasteries, Orchids, Medieval Villages in Avgonyma and the North

The Medieval Village of Avgonyma is the base for our orchid discovery tour, our walking tours to the mountainous part of North Chios and our visits to the deserted village of Anavatos, to the renowned Monastery of Nea Moni.

Catholic Easter Sunday: Car pick up at the airport following the arrival of the Olympic Airlines evening flight OA768 arriving to Chios currently at 8.10 pm from Athens Airport. Drive to the Medieval Village of Avgonyma where we will stay for the next three nigths. Briefing over a welcome dinner in a traditional tavern.
Monday: Breakfast in Avgonyma followed by a combined driving and walking trip to near by locations to spot and identify orchids. Lunch in Avgonyma and afternoon option for drive or walk to the deserted village of Anavatos. Dinner in Avgonyma.
Tuesday: Early breakfast and drive to the village Viki for a walk to the Pellinnaio Mountain top. Picnic on the mountain, then walk back to Viki for lunch in a traditional tavern. Drive to the Medieval Village of Pityos for a visit to the fortified tower and to a traditional bakery. Drive back to Avgonyma. Dinner in Avgonyma.
Wednesday: Breakfast in Avgonyma. Drive to Nea Moni for a visit to the Monastery, then walk on an old ottoman trail to the beach and fishing port of Lithi. Picnic en route and lunch in Lithi with local fish food. Drive back to Avgonyma to collect luggage and then drive to Kampos for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: A Genoese Mansion, home for two nights

One of the old Genoese Mansions in the Kampos region will be our home for two nights. We will visit a mastic flavored ouzo and liquor factory and a museum dedicated to citrus fruits, the emblem fruit of Kampos.

Thursday: Drive to Kallimasia to visit the Folk Museum and to Tholopotami for walk looking for wild tulips. Finally back to Kampos for a visit to a mastic flavored ouzo and liquor factory. After lunch, a short afternoon walk to "Citrus", the museum of the history and the agricultural production of Kampos. On this day we will also practice the Greek tradition of dying easter eggs. Dinner in Kampos.

Day 6 to Day 8: Mastic, Mastic Villages, Mastic production... and Greek Easter festivities

The friendly people of Mesta will also be our hosts for a couple of nights. Mesta will be the base for our excursions to the Mastic Tree groves and to some others of the Fortified Mastic Villages like Pyrgi.
This is where we will also experience the traditional Easter festivities together with the locals.

Orthodox Good Friday: Breakfast and then drive to the renowned "Mavra Volia" beach which is covered with black pebbles of a volcanic nature for a walk in the area. Lunch in a picturesque fishing port, then drive to the famous Mastic Village of Pyrgi that features rare architecture. Finally drive to Mesta in time for check in and for the Good Friday March, another Greek Easter Tradition. Dinner in Mesta.
Saturday: Breakfast in Mesta. Walking to the Mastic and Olive groves of the area for a lecture and hands on practice of the Mastic Tree harvest. Back to Mesta to give a hand to the local youngsters who are preparing the logs for an enormously big fire in the Central Square of the village, another Greek Easter tradition. Our folk dance teacher will be available this afternoon to teach simple dances. We take a rest for a few hours and then we meet again in the Central Church of Taxiarches at midnight to experience the Liturgy for the resurrection of Christ. Don't forget to bring your easter egg; also beware of the firecrackers. The night ends with a traditional after midnight dinner with traditional "mageiritsa" soup. Those who are interested in watching the renowned "rocket war of Vrontados" can do so by leaving the group in the afternoon. They will be given directions but we can't give a promise for a guide.
Easter Sunday: Time to party. Time for a day long traditional Easter Sunday feast. Greek seasonal meals, local wine, music and... dances (we hope you didn't skip the dance class). A wonderful way to finish the trip.