LANDSCAPES OF LESBOS

Lesbos, Greece’s third largest island, lies off the Turkish coast in the sparkling northern Aegean Sea. This twin-centre independent walking holiday explores the beautiful landscapes in the south east of the island – an area no other walkers seem to have discovered yet - where the contrasts in landscape are a real delight. You’ll relax at waterside tavernas watching colourful fishing boats chugging by, and also discover the hidden lush interior where villages, steeped in ancient traditions, are linked by ancient shady paths that you’ll follow through natural forest thick with fig and apricot trees.

Your first four nights are spent in a family run seafront hotel in Vatera, a low-key coastal hamlet boasting a glorious 10km pebble beach. The surrounding countryside is dotted with ruined temples, ancient castles and hot springs and, from here, panoramic trails lead you to little known sandy beaches and rolling wheat fields by the Gulf of Kalloni - famous for delicious local sardines. You can enjoy them for lunch fried or grilled with local virgin olive oil and a crunchy Greek salad – just drizzle with fresh lemon juice and soak up the juices with thick crusty bread!

You’ll spend your last three nights as guests of Mrs Tiropoli at her friendly hotel – with pool – just outside the bustling seaport of Plomari. Fishermen mend their nets on the harbour front below a series of olive grove terraces that descend steep valleys to the sea. Plomari is the capital of Ouzo, (it has a fascinating museum), and its cobbled back streets are full of bright market stalls and chattering Greek ladies putting thw world to rights! As there are plenty of local harbour side tavernas to choose from for dinner, so we’ve left evening meals up to you – probably best to get a taxi (approx 5 euro each way) as there’s no decent pavement.

For more infomation about this holiday, including hotel descriptions, travel options and full holiday itinerary, please see our new 'further details' section.