Aegean Blue is located on the volcanic side of Lesvos and sits on the cliff edge of Podaras, overlooking the Aegean Sea. With spectacular rock formations, natural water sources and breathtakingly beautiful beaches, it really is the perfectly secluded spot.
Below Aegean Blue, there are three residential bungalows along the beach road, and several tucked-away farmhouses along the farm road behind the beach.
In winter the riverbed, almost dry in summer, fills with the rain from the mountainsides and fresh water flows into the lake and underground, where it collects and provides all-year round irrigation for the surrounding farmland. What remains of the lake in summer is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including many birds, terrapins, frogs and a vast array of insects. Farming is varied, but the main things the visitor will notice in summer are the goat-like sheep that graze on the hillsides. There are lovely walks along the tracks behind the beach amongst tall shady bamboo and old farm buildings. Or why not take the mountain road to visit the hillside shrine to the east of the beach?
The sleepy fishing village of Tavari is 1.5km (10–15 mins) along the coast road. Here there is a hotel, tavernas, coffee bars and shops, as well as a small harbour where fishing boats unload their catch.
From Tavari it is approx 3km inland and uphill to Mesotopos – a gorgeous, traditional Greek village, where every turn of the road yields something new. A ‘must-explore’ for any visitor, who can complete their visit with Greek coffee in the village square.
Eressos, 12km from Mesotopos, is the tourist capital of this side of Lesvos. Here the visitor will find a mixture of traditional and contemporary bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shops – everything for a great day or night out! For the more erudite, the history of Eressos, which goes back beyond Roman times, is well worth studying, as are the local art and artists.
The journey directly to Lesvos (Mytilini) by charter flight is an obvious choice, with many of the larger airlines and holiday companies offering flights from most major airports. Or you can fly directly to Athens using an airline such as Aegean Air or Easy Jet and then take a local 50 minute flight to Lesvos.
However, if you have time to spare why take one of the luxury ferry boats from the Athenian port of Piraeus to the island. This is an interesting alternative and you may even consider ‘island hopping’ on the way.
Once on Lesvos, Aegean Blue is just a little more than an hour’s taxi journey away, taking you through some of the most beautiful of the island’s varied landscapes.
There is nothing like hiring a car to really simplify your arrangements, especially if you book in advance. We are very happy to help you with this. Having the freedom of a car allows you to thoroughly explore the gorgeous surrounding area of Aegean Blue during your stay.
The Island
The island of Lesvos has been left relatively unscathed by the tourism masses that have trampled some of the more popular Greek holiday resorts. With its typical Mediterranean climate of long hot summers and mild winters, it really is an all-year round destination.
No matter what the interest, Lesvos offers something for everyone. Quaint, traditional villages, acres of farmland, olive groves, fresh water springs, saltwater flatlands and bustling seaside resorts. Its well-established harbours, lined with family-run restaurants offering home-made Greek cooking and fresh seafood, are some of the most picturesque in Europe whilst its more popular holiday destinations such as Eressos and Molyvos, boast achingly cool bars, cafes and local shops selling stunning local wares – jewellery, leather goods, pottery and art to name but a few.
The island has also quite rightly established itself as one of the premier birdwatching destinations in the Mediterranean basin, due in no small part to its abundance of wetland areas and rural mountainous countryside. For more information on the flora and fauna that Lesvos has to offer, please visit Matt Barrett’s highly comprehensive Lesvos guide: www.lesvos.com
Lesvos offers many historical and architectural treasures, from the turn of the century palatial mansions that line the main road running from the airport into the capital Mytilene, to the Byzantine mountain-top castles of Petra and Molyvos. The western side of the island is also the site of the UNESCO World Heritage petrified forest. For more information, please visit www.petrifiedforest.gr
The History
Some historians have it that the name Lesvos comes from the Phoenician word ‘esvos’, which means seven, as Lesbos is the seventh largest Mediterranean island. Others say that it derives from the hero Lesvos, son in-law of Makaros and son of Lapithos, famous for brave deeds. Who knows?
Archaeological excavations on Lesvos so far show that the first known inhabitants lived in Thermi in about 3000BC. They were peaceful people, whose main occupations were in agriculture and fishing. It seems that not much has changed right up until the present day!
Sappho, famous for her emotional and lyrical poetry, was born at Eressos and, according to Plato, was the tenth Muse. Many legends attach to her name.
The whole history of strategically-placed Lesvos from the time of its first settlement is punctuated by wars, annexation and plunder by one dominant world power after another and Greek rights to the island were not finally recognised until the Treaties of Sevres (1920) and Lausanne (1922), which finally ended the 300 years of Turkish occupation. The three and a half years of German occupation from 1941 to 1944 are peppered with stories of Greek heroism and national pride.
The Mythology
It is the strategic geographical position of Lesvos that has coloured its history – both mythological and real – and we strongly recommend that visitors with a specific interest in history conduct their own research, as everywhere you look a new story will unfold.
Homer calls Lesvos ‘Makaros ethos’, referring to the mythical King of Lesvos, Makaras. Achilles launched many attacks on the island, mooring his ships close to the ancient port of Mithyma (present-day Molyvos), and finally conquering it through treachery.
On Mt Lepetymos Achilles and Ajax buried Palamides, hero of the Trojan War.
At Antissa, the head and lyre of Orpheus were washed up by the waves of the Aegean and legend has it that, as a result, the nightingales sing more sweetly on Lesvos than anywhere else on earth.
It was on Lesvos that Odysseus wrestled and defeated King Philomilides and where he met with Diomedes and Menelaeus to plan their journey home after the fall of Troy.