Samos is the closest of the Greek islands to Turkey - just a mile across. Thick pine forests covet most of the lower slopes and villages perch precariously on small plateaus. There is a grandeur and grace to Samos unequalled elsewhere. In ancient times Samos was known as Parthenoarroussa for its beauty, Dryoussa for its oaks, Anthemis for its flowers and Hydrele for its abundant springs. Although an island ravaged and pillaged by corsairs in yeasts gone by it is neither run down nor poor in spirit. On the contrary, the island leaves you with a feeling of happiness and friendliness. The muscat wine is superb.
Hios is claimed to be the birthplace of Homer, "that blind old man of rocky Hios". Homer called the island "craggy" and the epithet is deserved. During the Greek War of Independence (1821) the towns of Hios were razed and thousands of Hians were massacred by the Turks. This was to awaken the world to the Greek struggle. The mastic tree is cultivated on the island and the resin obtained from the punctured stems is used mainly to make "masrika", which is a potent liquer, and a concoction called "The Submarine" a spoonful of mastic jam in a glass of water. Kusadasi (Turkey) is a booming tourist town built on the site of ancient Neapolis of which nothing remains. With numerous carpet shops, souvenir shops and restaurants it is the gateway to the nearby ancient ruins of Ephesus. The ruins are Hellenistic with a Roman overlay after Rome made Ephesus the capital of the province. The site is impressive for irs size and for the clarity with which you can picture the ancient city. You can walk down the Marble Street and see the ruins of a theatre, the agora, library, odeon, stadium, gymnasium, and even a so-called brothel. Your Itinerary: Day 1 - Samos - Kusadasi (Turkey) (12 miles); Day 2 - Kusadasi; Day 3 - Kusadasi - Hios (55 miles); Day 4 - Hios - Lesvos (63 miles); Day 5 - Lesvos; Day 6 - Lesvos - Limnos (120 miles); Day 7 - Limnos - Ouranopolis (70 miles); Day 8 - Ouranopolis - Porto Koufo (23 miles). Notes: A. Skippered charters aboard Sailing Yachts & Catamarans
Also see tour packages in: Europe Greece Outdoor: Water Drifter Boating and Sailing Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend
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