Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Northern Chios
The craggy peaks of Mt Pelineo, Mt Oros and Mt Amani mark the drive north from
Chios Town along the east coast, an astonishing trip through bizarre, boulder-strewn
slopes that seem from another planet.
After the small coastal settlements of
Vrontados
and
Langada
are the main villages of
Marmaro
and
Kardamyla
, ancestral homes of many wealthy ship-owning families.
About 5km further west is the fishing village of
Nagos
, where the road continues north-
west, skirting
Mt Pelineo
(1297m), then winding and twisting its way through
Kambia
,
high up on a ridge overlooking the sea.
The central road will lead you south via Diefha to
Volissos
, Homer's legendary birth-
place, with its impressive Genoese fort. Some 5km beyond Volissos' working port of
Limnia
, you will reach the
Agia Markella Monastery
, named for the island's patron
saint. From Volissos the coastal road continues south until
Elinda
, then returns eastwards
to Chios Town.
Worth the trip to Volissos by itself is the excellent restaurant (and domatia),
Taverna
Fabrika
(
6976255829, 22740 22045;
www.chiosfabrika.gr
;
mains €6-8.50;
lunch & dinner;
)
. The best sleeping option in Marmoro is
Hotel Kardamyla
(
22720 23353;
www.hotelkyma.com
;
Marmaro; s/d/tr incl breakfast €70/100/120;
)
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Southern Chios
Unique southern Chios is arguably the island's best destination. Though it grows else-
where in the Aegean, the gum-producing mastic tree of Chios has for centuries been the
sole commercial producer of mastic gum. The tree thrives in a fertile, reddish territory
known as the
Mastihohoria
(Mastic villages). This region of rolling hills, criss-crossed
with elaborate stone walls running through olive and mastic groves, is highly atmospher-
ic.
The Ottoman rulers' penchant for mastic made the Mastihohoria wealthy for centuries.
Some architectural wonders remain in the villages of Pyrgi and Mesta. The former fea-
tures houses decorated in unusual colourful patterns, while the latter is a car-free, walled
fortress settlement built by the Genoese in the 14th century.
Pyrgi Πυργί
POP 1040
