The Island Of Mytilene (Lesbos) – 2 nights

After meeting at 05.30 am in Üçkuyular Shell, 05.40 am in front of Göztepe Pier, 05.50 am in front of Sabancı Cultural Center, 06.00 am in front of Alsancak Station FMA Travel Office, 06.10 am in front of Karşıyaka Anıt, 06.20 am in front of Bostanlı Pier and 06.30 am in Mavişehir Egepark, we set off for Lesbos, one of the most beautiful islands of neighboring Greece. In Ayvalık, the first stop of our trip, we take our places on our ship that will take us to Lesbos and start a pleasant journey towards Lesbos Island. We start to visit the largest island of the North Aegean, which we reach around noon. First of all, we settle in our seaside hotels with the best location on the island. Afterwards, we take a pleasant stroll in Mytillini, the capital of the island. In the meantime, we get to know historical buildings such as Hagios Therapondas Church, Public Garden, Ermou Street, Hagia Athanasious Metropolitan Church, New Mosque, Bazaar Bath, Historical Roman Agora, Yalı Mosque and Mytilene Castle. Afterwards, we have lunch on the beach with a unique view called Epano Skala, which is also home to the Mother of Asia Minor Monument, with flavors unique to Mytilene cuisine. After our lunch, we have the chance to buy island-specific products from the shops along Ermou Street. After our city tour, we have our pleasure coffees at Panellenion, one of the most magnificent and historical places of Mytilene’s promenade, known as P. Kountouriotoi. At the end of the day, after this full city tour, we return to our hotels in the heart of the island and rest.

After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on the North Mytilene Tour where we will see the settlements of the island overlooking Ayvalık and Assos. First, after a short photo break in Panagiouda, a fishing village famous for its fish taverns, we see the Thermi Settlement, famous for its thermal water since ancient times, and the Sarlıca Palas, a spa hotel built during the Ottoman period. Then we go to Mandamados Village, home to the most famous monastery of the island, via Neon Kidonion (Yeni Ayvalık) Village, founded by the immigrants from Ayvalık.  After visiting the Taksiyarhis Monastery, which impresses with its sacred icons and lush nature, we taste the famous Mandamados yogurt and lokma dessert in the monastery garden. After the pleasant moments we spend in Mandamados, which is also famous for its olive oil cheese called Ladotyri, we continue our journey towards Molyvos. During our journey, we take a short photo break in Sykaminea Village, which offers a unique view of Mount Ida and the Aegean Sea. Then we take a pleasant stroll in Molyvos, the most visited place in Lesbos with its castle, stone houses and charming streets. At noon, we continue our trip to Petra, whose name means “stone”, to have lunch. We enjoy Mytilene cuisine in a nice restaurant on Petra Beach, famous for its stone houses and sandy beaches. After lunch, we photograph the Panagia Glykofiloussa (Mary with the Sweet Kiss) Church, located on a monumental rock reached by 114 stone stairs, and continue our trip to Kalloni Bay, the inner bay of Lesbos. After seeing Kalloni Bay and the Bird Sanctuary up close, we settle in our hotel in the center and rest. In the evening, we will meet in the lobby of our hotel and have fun in a Greek tavern by the sea, accompanied by rebetiko.

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we embark on the South Mytilene Tour where we will visit the small gulf of Gera Bay, the famous ouzo town of Plomari and the village of Agiasos, famous for the Mytilene chestnut festival. First, we take a short break at Skala Sikountos Beach where we will watch the unique view of the Gulf of Gera and have our morning coffee in this unique geography where green and blue meet. Then we continue our journey to Plomari, the most charming coastal town of Lesvos. During this pleasant journey along the coast of the Gulf of Gera, we see Paleokipos Village, the village where Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha was born, and Pappados Village, famous for its olive oil. After a pleasant journey accompanied by plane trees and cool springs, we visit the Barbayanni Ouzo Factory in Plomari, home to world-famous ouzo factories, and get to know ouzo making closely. At noon, we say goodbye to Plomari Beach and its cozy houses and have a pleasant lunch at Perama Beach. After lunch, we continue our journey to Agiasos, one of the most authentic villages of the island at the foot of Mount Olympus in the most beautiful hours of the day. When we arrive at this mountain village famous for its lush forests, woodwork and the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia), we take a pleasant stroll through the Şirince-like streets of the village. Then we return to the center of Lesbos and take our places on our ship waiting for us in Mytillini Port. After a pleasant journey, we reach Ayvalık and start our return journey to Izmir. In Izmir, where we arrive in the evening, we say goodbye with the hope of meeting again on another FMA TRAVEL trip.