Accommodation

Our base for the week is the Galaxy Hotel, which overlooks the new harbour in the small coastal town of Karystos. Traditionally Greek, it has been run by the same friendly family for more than 30 years. Situated at the west end of the esplanade, just 330ft (100m) from the main square and town centre and a stone’s throw from the beach and its cafes, the Galaxy Hotel is in a perfect location for exploring the town and soaking up the fresh sea air. All rooms face the sparkling sea and have a balcony with a table and chairs, while the hotel has one indoor and one outdoor bar and a dining area where a hearty breakfast is served. The tap water is natural spring water from the mountains and is drinkable. Worth knowing All single rooms at Galaxy Hotel are twin/double rooms that are provided for sole occupancy.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Meals

All breakfasts, six picnic lunches and two dinners are included. The buffet-style breakfasts include fresh bread, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, honey and wild cherry syrup, porridge, eggs, ham and cheese, cereal, muesli, cake and cookies, honey, coffee/tea, chocolate and lots of fresh seasonal fruit. A dining experience in Greece isn’t the same without spending evenings in a taverna – a small, family-run Greek restaurant – and on this trip we visit many of them. Dotted along the Karystian promenade, these cosy tavernas serve delicious local dishes with a variety of Evian wines in an informal setting. Dishes to try in the evenings include homemade filo pastry pies, moussaka, stuffed vegetables plus a variety of other vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh salads, crunchy bread, cheeses and locally caught fish and seafood. Local meat such as lamb, pork, chicken and the renowned Evian beef are prepared in many ways.

Transport

We will be using a mixture of private transport, coach, taxis and local ferries.

Others

Listed activities

Not included:

Insurance

Others

— Travel insurance — Visas or vaccinations — Single accommodation (available on request) — Tourist tax (paid locally)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Athens; Transfer To Rafina; Ferry To Evia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Athens; Transfer To Rafina; Ferry To Evia

We meet at Athens airport and transfer by road to Rafina (approximately 35 minutes). We then take the ferry to Mamari on Evia (about one hour). It is then a 20-minute drive to our hotel in Karystos.
Day 2 Day 2: Walk Through Rolling Hills And The Gourna Villages, Passing Roman Sites And Visiting The Castello Rosso (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Walk Through Rolling Hills And The Gourna Villages, Passing Roman Sites And Visiting The Castello Rosso (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Our first day takes us from the hotel, through Karystos town and up to the villages of Gourna, which are scattered high above Karystos bay and below the peaks of Mount Ohi. Walking through the verdant countryside along worn-stone paths next to springs and streams, we reach a Roman aqueduct from 160 BCE. We continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest forts of the Fourth Crusade, where we can enjoy lunch with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Using mountain goat trails and country lanes, we walk down to the fertile valley of Mili, full of citrus, olive and cypress trees, before reaching the coast.
Day 3 Day 3: Walk Through The Ravine From Platanistos And The Albanian Descent Villages Of Panohori And Mourtia (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Walk Through The Ravine From Platanistos And The Albanian Descent Villages Of Panohori And Mourtia (Breakfast,Lunch)

We drive (45 minutes) along the southeastern tip of the island, over the mountains towards the Cape of Cavo Doro, heading to the beautiful ravine of Platanistos and the first of 20 ancient villages of Albanian descent. We hike along the riverside path in the lush valley of Platanistos. We then continue our journey by bus (30 minutes) until we reach the sea and one of the nicest, yet still relatively unknown, beaches in the Aegean. During the warmer months, we can swim and relax here at Marmara Beach. We return to Karystos on foot (approximately 20 minutes).
Day 4 Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi And Visit The Acropolis Of Styra (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi And Visit The Acropolis Of Styra (Breakfast,Lunch)

We start with an early morning drive (45 minutes) along the panoramic mountain road to the north, known as the Eagle Route, which takes us above the evergreen valley of Styra. We then summit Mount Kliosi, home to the remains of an ancient acropolis. An eerie ancient gate, the Cave of St Nicolas and the ruins of Castro Armeno, often in the mist, make this a visit to remember. The gentle walk down takes us past wild strawberry bushes and the remains of Roman marble quarries to the quaint villages of Styra Valley, which overlook Marathon, just across the water on the continent. In the afternoon, we take the bus back to Karystos (one hour).
Day 5 Day 5: Morning Walk In The Bay Of Marmari; Afternoon Free To Relax On The Beach Or Wander Around Karystos (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Morning Walk In The Bay Of Marmari; Afternoon Free To Relax On The Beach Or Wander Around Karystos (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

This morning, we drive to the village of Lycorema (15 minutes). We enjoy a coastal walk on a flat dirt track around the bay and visit the fishing hamlet of Marmari. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos, an authentic Greek island town.
Day 6 Day 6: Imperial Roman Quarries On Mount Ohi And The Villages In The Valley Of Aetos (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Imperial Roman Quarries On Mount Ohi And The Villages In The Valley Of Aetos (Breakfast,Lunch)

We start with a 20-minute drive to the Springs of St Theodore in the mountain village of Argastaras. From here, we climb on Mount Ohi, following multiple trails and worn-marble paths to the heart of the Roman quarries where green and white marble known as cipollino – small onion in Latin, due to its stripes and rings – was shaped into monumental monolithic columns around Biblical times. There are 10 perfectly completed marble pillars still here, abandoned during the decline of Rome. Ancient paths take us to the villages of upper and lower Aetos with superb views of the Aegean Sea all along the way. We reach the coast, dotted with beautiful small sandy coves, on the way back to town. Please note: You need trousers (pants) for today’s walk to protect against overgrown vegetation.
Day 7 Day 7: Mount Ohi Gorge Walk Down To The Rugged East Coast And The Aegean Archipelagos (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Mount Ohi Gorge Walk Down To The Rugged East Coast And The Aegean Archipelagos (Breakfast,Lunch)

Today we walk on one of the oldest paths on the island, an ancient corridor within the gorge to the remote and wild beach on the east coast. We travel by taxi/coach to the isolated village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ohi (one hour), which is the starting point of the gorge walks. The ancient path in the beginning runs next to the river and gradually rises high above it with outstanding views of the limestone cliffs and the ever-blue Aegean. The dramatic canyon is a natural habitat for thyme, oregano and sage; peonies and orchids; eagles and falcons; plane and chestnut trees. We then take a one-hours transfer back to our hotel.
Day 8 Day 8: Ferry To Athens; End Athens Airport (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Ferry To Athens; End Athens Airport (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we can visit a local beekeeper to learn about and taste Greek honey and its products. Around lunchtime, we check out of our rooms and begin our return journey. It’s a 20-minute ferry ride then a one-hour drive to Athens airport, where our adventure ends.

8 days tour

Mountains & Villages Of Evia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mountains & Villages Of Evia

Day 1: Start Athens; Transfer To Rafina; Ferry To Evia

Day 2: Walk Through Rolling Hills And The Gourna Villages, Passing Roman Sites And Visiting The Castello Rosso (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 3: Walk Through The Ravine From Platanistos And The Albanian Descent Villages Of Panohori And Mourtia (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi And Visit The Acropolis Of Styra (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 5: Morning Walk In The Bay Of Marmari; Afternoon Free To Relax On The Beach Or Wander Around Karystos (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 6: Imperial Roman Quarries On Mount Ohi And The Villages In The Valley Of Aetos (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 7: Mount Ohi Gorge Walk Down To The Rugged East Coast And The Aegean Archipelagos (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 8: Ferry To Athens; End Athens Airport (Breakfast)

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