dossier

Landscapes of Lesbos

Day 1: Arrive in Lesbos
A private taxi transfer brings you to your hotel in Plomari where Dimitra will chat through the plan for the week before your dinner on the waterfront terrace.

Day 2: Vatera Castle Circular Walk  14km/8mi/5hr
Look out for grey heron and white egret in the river reeds as you head inland following undulating riverside tracks through golden wheat fields. Perhaps picnic at Paliopirgos Castle, a 14C ruin on a hilltop, or enjoy a taverna lunch under the plane trees in the pretty village of Vrisa, set back from the coast to avoid marauding pirates of old. It is downhill back to Vatera – when you reach the sea, you can take your boots off and paddle back along the beach right to the hotel.

Day 3: Gulf of Kalloni  15km/9mi/5hr
This exhilarating coastal walk leads you west along a panoramic track with wonderful views over the Aegean towards Chios Island. Wagtails and sandpipers dart overhead along this wild, deserted coastline, before you descend to the tiny harbour of Nyfida on the shallow Gulf of Kalloni. The inviting sandy beach and shimmering, turquoise water beckon for a swim, and you can snooze on the beach before your transfer back to Vatera.

Day 4: Free Day
Options today include a 7km stroll out to the pretty harbour of Agios Focas where the Temple of Dionysus sits on a lonely promontory with stunning views of Vatera’s 10km beach. Or take a longer route (15kms) to Polychnitos hot springs for a rejuvenating dip, and visit the village with its high olive press chimneys – favourite nesting spots for white storks and their noisy families. Alternatively, relax on your private balcony, or settle into a shady sun lounger at one of the laid-back Vatera beach bars and watch the world go by.

Day 5: Agiasos Forest Circular Walk  9km/6mi/4hr
A complete contrast today as you explore the inland forest of sweet chestnut, oak, fig, walnut, apricot and plane trees surrounds Agiasos – great for orchid-spotting as you listen out for woodpeckers chattering above the valley paths.  The village will delight you – it is packed with narrow alleys brimming with woodwork and ceramic workshops where you can watch carpenters and potters at work as they have for decades. Visit the ornate Basilica of Madonna and enjoy an ouzo in a local kafenion before the transfer back to Polmari.

Day 6: Kournela Circular Walk  17km/10mi/6hr
From Plomari’s colourful centre, you ascend above the town on old olivero’s paths through ancient terraces with great views back down to the red tile roofs and deep blue Aegean. After picnicking in the ghost village of Kournela with its cooling fountain and ornate Church of St. John the Baptist, (pop in and see the frescoes), your descent leads down to tiny Melinda village beach for a cooling swim and a drink in the seafront taverna.

Day 7: Plomari Circular Walk  11km/7mi/4hrs
Today’s walk heads inland from the village of Trigonas - karst limestone slopes above you sweep down to silvery olive trees, and the scent of wild rosemary and fennel fills the air – and down to a picnic spot at the shady church in Milies. It is an easy descent with gorgeous sea views back into Plomari, where you can visit the fascinating Ouzo Museum, or head to town for some souvenir shopping before a final waterfront feast of fresh calamari and spanakopita (delicious spinach pie) with chilled retsina.

Day 8: Leave Lesbos
A private taxi transfer will take you back to the airport for your flight home.