Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ì Votsala Paralía Thermís T 22510 71231,
W votsalahotel.com. This comfortable and relaxing
place offers watersports off the (somewhat scrappy)
beach and well-tended gardens. It prides itself on
havi ng n o TV in the rooms and no “Greek nights”. May-
Oct. €45
marble-trimmed studios to ma ssive suites with retro decor
and big bathrooms. April-Oct. €80
Theodora Glava (Grioules) Haramídha T 22510
46417. Right on the beach, legendary Theodora dishes up
a great range of lovingly prepared vegetarian and seafood
mezédhes, as well as more substantial meat and fish items.
April-Oct daily 11am-1am.
9
Southern Lésvos
Southern Lésvos is indented by two great inlets, the gulfs of Kalloní and Yé r a , the first
curving in a northeasterly direction, the latter northwesterly, creating a fan-shaped
peninsula at the heart of which looms 967m Mount Ólymbos . Both shallow gulfs are
landlocked by very narrow outlets to the open sea, which don't - and probably never
will - have bridges spanning them. This is the most verdant and productive olive-oil
territory on Lésvos, and stacks of pressing-mills stab the skyline.
Pérama
A regular kaïki service (no cars carried) links Pérama with Koundoroudhiá, which has a blue city bus service to/from Mytilíni on the far side
PÉRAMA , disused olive-oil warehouses dotting its oddly attractive townscape, is one of
the larger places on the Gulf of Yéra. Although it feels rather forlorn and end-of-the-
road, it is easily accessible by public transport from Mytilíni and offers great eating.
Plomári and around
Due south of Mount Ólymbos, at the edge of the “fan”, PLOMÁRI is the only sizeable
coastal settlement hereabouts, and indeed the second-largest municipality on Lésvos. It
presents an unlikely juxtaposition of scenic appeal and its famous ouzo industry,
courtesy of several local distilleries . Despite a resounding lack of good beaches within
walking distance, Plomári is popular with Scandinavian tourists; most actually stay at
Áyios Isídhoros , 3km east.
Varvayianni Distillery
May-Oct Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-1pm; Nov-April Mon-Fri 8am-4pm • Free • T 22520 32741, W barbayanni-ouzo.com
The largest and oldest of Plomári distilleries, Varvayianni , offers free tours and tasting,
plus a fascinating display of old alembics, presses, storage jars and archival material.
Best venues for a tipple afterwards are the old kafenía on central Platía Beniamín.
Melínda
Melínda , a 700m sand-and-shingle beach at the mouth of a canyon lush with olive
trees, lies 6km west of Plomári by paved road. It's an alluring place, with sweeping
views west towards the Vaterá coast and the cape of Áyios Fokás, and south (in clear
conditions) to northern Híos, Psará and the Turkish Karaburun peninsula.
Panayía Kryftí hot springs
One of the best excursions beyond Melínda is to the Panayía Kryftí hot springs . From
the first curve of the paved road up to Paleohóri, a dirt track goes 2.8km to a dead-end
with parking space, with the final 400m on a downhill path to the little chapel just
above a protected inlet. On the far side of this you'll see a rectangular cement tank, just
big enough for two people, containing water at a pleasant 37-38˚C.
Ayiássos and around
AYIÁSSOS , 26km from Mytilíni, nestled in a remote, wooded valley under the crest of
Mount Ólymbos, is the most beautiful hill town on Lésvos, its narrow cobbled streets
lined by ranks of tiled-roof houses, built in part from proceeds of the trade in tsoupiá
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search