Greece Travel: Travelers Reviews

Dear Matt,

Thanks so much for your recommendation of Skala Eressos - we just got back from 10 days there. It was beautiful, relaxing and quiet.

We rented a house from www.greecetravel.com/villas . A short walk and we were on the beach, but far enough away to avoid the beachfront noise at night.

Food was great. We ate mostly at the Dolphin or at Bennett's. The latter had the best Greek salad on the beach, in our opinion. We're Americans living in England, so our vacations usually involve running around looking at cathedrals, etc. This time we wanted a simple beach vacation - lots of water, sun, sand and relaxation, and we got it.

The Simple Greek for Travellers tape was also quite useful. I like to be able to speak at least a few words of the language of countries I travel to. If we go back to Greece, we'll go back to Lesvos. Thanks again for your recommendation.

Cheers, Chip Seiderer

Hi Matt... what can I say but thank you!...

What? .. you don't have a clue who I am? Of course not, but your site and subsequent Emails you exchanged with my girlfriend Annette helped provide us with what was my most memorable holiday yet.
The room we booked at the Sun Rise was marvelous ( and only 94 steps up *smile* ) the view from the room no less than stunning, the on site restaurant and service great... and thank god for Manolis behind the bar.

The village of Molyvos was again marvelous as was the "Captains Table" We were told my Melinda that you were on the island while we were there but as we didn't hire a car we couldn't find you to buy you a bottle of Ouzo ( thank god I now understand what bottles of Ouzo are... when you said in one page on line how many bottles you went thru one day... well........... )

The Church in Petra, and the fortress of Molivos were both beautiful ( more steps )

But just one question.... How on earth could you stand 20minutes in the mineral baths at Eftalou? I nearly.. not quiet but nearly managed to submerge but couldn't immagine spending more than moments in that water.

Again,
Thank you

Greg

Hi Matt,
We've just returned from a wonderful week in Lesvos.
Last September we 'Asked Jeeves' for some holidays in Greece, up came your name and we downloaded your Guide to Lesvos. We contacted Dolphin Hellas Travel Agency in Athens and a very helpful person called Uli gave us all the information and reassurance we needed to book a week in the 'Sun Rise Hotel' and, later on, a car for me, my wife and two kids. We booked the Flight in the UK as the prices were cheaper.
Where can I start?
The Hotel, we were told, was the best on the Island, Molyvos was the magical place you described, with food and drink cheap and of a high standard!.We ate in a different place each night. 'Chef's salad' and Greek Yoghurt with honey and nuts went down very well.
One of our favourite place's had to be 'Fournello's' in Petra opposite the Water Sports where my Kids spent most of the time being towed behind a Speed Boat in 'Ringoes' or on a 'Banana Boat'.
All the locals were friendly and seemed to love 'The Inglish'!
We even met the owner(?) of the Sea House Hotel who knew you very well!
Anyway, it's back to work on Monday with only our photos to look forward to and a fading sun tan.

Regards

Peter Long

P.s, You don't do a similar guide for Florida?

Dear Matt

Just wanted to say thank you for your website. We went to Lesvos at the end
of June/beginning of July, purely on the strength of your words!!! We found
a beautiful and welcoming country, as yet unspoilt. The people were genuine
and friendly and weren't just after your money! We stayed in Anaxos, an
amazing place which is mainly dedicated to tourism, but pleasantly so. I
usually hate seeing other English people abroad but it was fun and very
pleasurable. The Anaxos Hotel was just across the road from our appartments
and they were fantastic. It was a real home from home!!

I looked out for you but I know it's a big place!!

Thank you, once again. We can't wait to go back!

Kind regards
Georgina Horwood

Kalimera, Matt! (I presume).

If you're the author of the excellent pages on Molyvos, then my wife, Sarah,
and I would just like to thank you profusely for your informative,
entertaining and inspirational piece which, (along with an Oxford travel
agent with a booking to fill and some last-minute holiday-planners to
satisfy), was our major persuader to visit Lesvos - and have the best
holiday we've ever enjoyed! Efcharisto poli! [and if you're not the author,
could you please pass this on?]

Several English people we met referred to your article, too: one mature
couple even had a print-off with them (provided by their more cyber-skilled
son). All expressed their appreciation of the lively style and useful
information. (Actually, I wish we'd taken along hard copy, too - as we would
then have tried the Octopus taverna, over which we dithered a bit night
after night until we had no time left). Still, I did have the best pizza
(marinara, naturally!) I've ever had - and I've travelled and eaten
throughout Italy all my life - at the pizzeria next to the Café del Mar; the
base alone was out of this world!

Our particular tastes were beautifully catered for by every bit of the
Molyvos experience: we loved the "Blue Fox" zakaroplasteio particularly, and
were also very warmly received by Nicos (who sold us a bag for my Mum) and
his sister Betty, who helps run the "O Nassos" taverna next door to his shop
in the agora - not to mention, of course, the folks at the Captain's Table,
who asked to be mentioned in any communication.

Thanks again: people who take the trouble to post beautifully written Web
Pages like yours really make the internet work as it should. We will most
definitely be back in Molyvos next year, hopefully late June or May.

Yeia Sou!
Bob (Hughes)

A very good friend of mine gave me your website To check out Lesvos. My mother was born in Mitiline and she came from a place called Halika. My wife Alkmini was born in Mitiline from a place called,UP SKALA, just above the Market place in Mitiline. Later on as a little girl they bought a house in a town called Chrissomalousa, there she stayed till she came to America, in "47". My mother came to America in 1919, to be Married. ME, I am an American born who is very delighted to read and see your website. Your website is beautifull and I am learning alot about Mitiline. I have been there but one time,When I took my mother to see her country once again after 47 years. I was so very happy to see my mother so very happy, that literally she lost her voice in her exciment. We stayed in Mitiline for one month and we almost saw all of it. I would like to go again but a bad heart is keeping me away, but my memory of Mitiline still stays with me. I am 78 years young now and waitng to see the turn of the century, then who knows. Thank you very much on your important time to read my letter.It really brought Mitiline back to me. Thanks Peter

As I think your website is one of the best on the net my message is firstly one of encouragement and 'keep it up'.

Secondly, perhaps like you I first went to Greece as a student when I was 18 & 19 and worked in club med in Corfu and had to sell blood in Athens to survive. England then had exchange control and one had to live off a limited allowance.

I travelled to Lesbos in 1972 under the colonels as I was told that people were exiled there and so for me this did not mean I would compromise my principles. With my then wife, we were intent on island hopping and had a rigid itinerary to see lots of sites and sights. We got to Plomari and stayed for 3 weeks and indeed made friends with the usual crew of chief of police, the mayor, local lawyer and exiled son [Dimitri Vounatsos later an MP for Lesvos], my future brother in law and others who all drank with each other in the centre of town. As a result when our sons were over 4 we came back for the summer beach holiday and rented for 2 years. Then I bought a small village house overlooking Plomari harbour in 1979 - now in ex wifes possession !

What I was going on about in the attachment was Megalochori where I had the good fortune to buy a house 12 years ago. You mention that the place is called the Switzerland of Lesvos but this is not because of any similarity of the locals to the Swiss - as you rightly identify they and the inhabitants of Plomari are described by the rest of the island as eccentric, mad, unusual but despite this they are very worthwhile: so different from the Swiss I have met in Zurich and elsewhere. To flavour their originality you have to hang out with them for some time and have the time to laugh at and with the world which inevitably goes by. The Swiss epithet is probably because of the hight at 652 metres or 2200 feet above sea level allied with an amazing view over all the south side of the island from Agias Isidoros,Turkey, Chios, Ypsara [on a clear spring day] and to Agias Phocas. Another reason is the ruggedness of rock and the dense forests of pines with their associated resin smell in summer. The air is invigorating, unpolluted and thinner so one sleeps more soundly. I could also rabbit on about the taste of the water and how it is the only sort that tastes right with local triple distilled ouzo and so on

I do think that when you are next there [and you have sufficient time and a modicum of interest] you should look a little more closely at the South side and cover Tarti, Melinda. Krifti and Drota as coastal resorts and then go onto deal with the upland villages such as Megalochori Akrasion etc. Though the roads are not as smooth and tarred as one would like getting out into these areas is like going back in time and can be brilliant. If perchance you do venture south from Agiassos over the mountain and pass through Megalochori please look us up. The telephone no. is 252 92 284. We aren't in the book - this is the previous owners [called Mouropolos/Bailas], number as the locals advised against changing it because one had to pay. Mouropolos was an artist in concrete and stone who was an architect and built the Greek equivalent of the Maginot line called the Metaxa line after the dictator. It too was useless as it was built next too Bulgaria and Turkey and Greece was invaded through Albania and Macedonia - very unsporting.

We have a young child so do not get out to the island as much as we would like but anytime please ring.

best regards

John Newman

Hi Matt,

Like all your other readers, our trip to Athens and Eresos was
dramatically enhanced thanks to your web site - THANK YOU!!!!'

In doing lots of research on the web and other places, I can honestly
say that I returned always to your site for the best information by
miles.

We printed out a lot of your stuff and took it with us - which was
really great. For example, your guide to the Acropolis is perhaps the
most to the point and easy to understand of all the guides I read, in
terms of putting it in perspective. After reading your guide "on the
ground", the other books became intelligible!

Lesvos - well what can I say. My wife, two and half year old daughter
and I thoroughly enjoyed Skala Eresos, and it was basically through your
guide that we chose it. A great find, and lovely village. Spent about 6
days there, and had a number of meals at Max Bennet's restaurant - your
recommendation is well deserved.

We stayed at the Aeolian Village Hotel (bed & brkfst only) - although it
worked well for us in that our daughter loved the pool and facilities
for little kids, we still spent most of our time in the village. Also
felt that there were 2 price structures - one for the Hotel, and one for
people in the village! Needless to say, we did everything in the
village!

Enough now - again, a HUGE THANK YOU for the web site - by far the most
useful guide to Greece out there!

thanx
craig lauder

Dear Friend,
Your internet side was very instrumental in our choosing to take a 2 week
holiday just outside Mythimna (Eftalou) (29 June-13 July). Thanks for the
appératif....... the rest was spectacular (too) and the best family holiday
we have ever had.

I promised Angelo at the Anatoly Restaurant on the Eftalou road (between
Hotels Pantelinos and Mythimna Beach) that I would propose his restaurant to
be included as it really was quite excellent. We tried many places during
our two weeks (lovely to HAVE to each lunch and dinner every day!!) and we
were all impressed each time we ate a meal at Anatoly - clean plates every
time. (I see you already have his younger brother's restaurant further
along towards Eftalou Beach on the list.) Angelo is a perfectionist -
arriving at the restaurant early and cooking all the "day's specials" from
recipe's which were passed down to him from his grandfather who ran the
restaurant before him. He served the tastiest stuffed tomatoes and his
Stefados (?spelling) was the most delicious "stew" I had ever tasted. Also
his Meatballs in the Oven are so subtly flavoured with herbs they just
melted in your mouth.

It would certainly do his hard work and dedication justice if you considered
including him in your "restaurant" section.

Thanks, once again, for your excellent internet contribution for the
cerebral types, who like to know what to expect. It really is the "thinking
man's" holiday venue. The lack of commercialism means that getting to know
Molyvos was an esoteric affair - by using your senses and more and more was
revealed.

In this respect, I followed up your tip about zen buddhists, but was just
too late to attend a yoga week - maybe next time/year. Do you know of any
other activities or any other "esoteric" groups who live or gather on the
island?

We will return to Mytilini - it is a well kept secret!
Very best wishes
Diane Rasmussen

after studying your site we chose lesvos to go on holiday
in 1 week we toured most of the island (early june)we found
best beach was gavathas <real sand followed by sigri and then
vatera/erresos.
a very good/friendly/cheap(£450 for everything)holiday
we reccomend as well

Dear Matt, We LOVE Lesvos! We went to Sigri yesterday and ate at Remezzoz (I
am sure I am spelling it wrong) and we went through the Petrified Forest
museum...didn't have time for the real thing yet. Then went to the beach
there and then in the jeep took a road bumpy and dirt an hour beyond and saw
a beautiful body of water deserted on the way and tried to find our way
there. About to give up we turned back and saw a covered dirt road and cut
across the field. There was a gate there with a Greek sign...we assumed it
said enter, enjoy and close the gate after you. Does that sound reasonable?
So, we did that and of course my husband had to go into every deserted spot
on the beach. He said that was his high point. Then we went to Erresos and
said hi to Jo. Everywhere we went we said if you referred us that we are
there specifically because of you. I didn't have my pages on Erresos with me
so we ate pizza at the Sapphos and soon realized we were the only guy/girl
couple there! Then we heard the alternative music. It was an experience! Ha!
Then we got lost in the dark coming back and asked directions and ended up
on a shortcut road to Molyvos. It was pitch black out and a dirt road and
bumpy. Ron was exhausted and grouchy and I was a little frightened. A
shepherd came up and stood by the car and I thought this is it, we are going
to die on Lesvos. He used broken English to tell us how to get to Molyvos.
Today we missed the excursion next to the Sea Horse by five minutes but will
go tomorrow. We ate at that restaurant next to Molyvos on the mountain
overlooking it...darn...can't remember the name but we showed them the
article from your site and all the waiters were reading it. Our only bad
experience has been that damned St. George hotel and the rip off prices we
didn't expect on laundy ($100 for a small bag) and $75 for the internet. Ron
felt like we'd been robbed. George has been great. We loved Sounio.
Today we are hanging out and going to the baths in Eftalou. We love the Sun
Rise and Theo is great adn the dog Spiros. Spiros got hit by a car and his
leg is healing. I still haven't tried Ouzo. Am getting up mu nerve. We
toured the castle. Everything you said to do has been a success...anytime we
veered from your advice we found ourselves in trouble. I CANNOT WAIT for
your book to come out. I don't want to bother you in Athens. If you get to
Lesvos before we leave on the 18th we would be honored to buy you or you and
your family a nice meal at the place of your choice. Better run. There are
several great internet cafes in Molyvos now with decent connections and
keyboards. Oh, we ate at The Captain's Table! Great! And today we go to the
Octopus. Yasos! Anneke

Dear Matt Barrett,
Your site was very helpful to us, when we planned our holiday to the beautiful island of Lesbos. Overwhelmed by its beauty, I got inspired to make several pendrawings. You can check them out at the following URL:

http://home.hetnet.nl/~sasola/index.html

Greetings,

Olaf & Saskia

It has been almost twenty years since I have been to my Mother's Island Of Lesvos, in the town of Mytiline. You have done a beautiful job in telling, and showing some snap shots of Old Lesvos,especially Mitilinewhere I sat at a place called, "Fontis", drinking my warm beer,for I don't think they had refrigeration then. I am 78 years young, and making a trip to Mitiline may be out of the question. However what you have been doing and showing things on the computer it is enough to bring many memories back to me, and I want to thank you for it. I have one question. Is there any place in Mitiline where I can send a message by E-Mail. I can speak American Greek, but i can't write, it nor read it. I don't mean to be boughter to you, BUT I di hope you continue the beautiful work you are doing. I am looking in reading some more of your works on Lesbos!! My mothers Island.Thanking you for taking time in reading my E-mail.

Hi
My name is Agapitos and I would like to congratulate you on your web page (www.lesvos.com).I am from
Mytilene but I live in Athens because of my studies.I must admit that reading your pages made me really
homesick.It's really encouraging to know that Mytilene and Lesvos are places that can still inspire
a foreigner without having this intense tourist-attractive profile and I am certain that you have captured
another side of Mytilene and Lesvos that maybe I have become so accustomed to that now I tend to overlook.Anyway,it's a really great site.Well done!

Best regards
Agapitos Aretakis

Dear Matt

I just visited lesvos.com and I believe that you have done an excellent job.
It is amazing how many things you know about the island.
There were a lot of things I don't know although I have spent more than one
year in the island and I visit it very often. In a matter of speaking I am
leaving Pireaus with Mitilyne on Thursday afternoon.

The fact that people use your work without even giving you the credit it is
so "Greek". Believe me I know.

The reason I am e-mailing you other than to compliment your work is to
suggest you a tavern in Lesvos that you should definitely visit and include
in your site.

Is called "Mpalouchanas" (believe me it's difficult even for a Greek to say
it) and it is in Perama in Gera Gulf (Kolpos tis Geras). The food is a
little better than dull and service is average. But when it comes to the
location than things do change. The tables are on a cement base that is
surrounded by the sea. You have literally the feeling that you are IN the
Gulf. If you are lucky (as I did) you might see a dolphin swimming a few
meters away from you while you having a "meze".

I consider that place one of the best places to eat in Lesvos!
I hope that during your next visit in Lesvos you will have the opportunity
to visit Mpalouchanas.

Kind regards
Petros Tritsinis

Your web site is great. I just returned... very reluctantly.... from
visiting Lesbos and I agree that it is a beautiful island. I have been
to many Greek Isles but this one is really unique in its
beauty..specially Sigri and Molyvos! Having seen your site before
taking the trip was of so much help that I have to thank you and commend
you for the wonderful job you have done. Even though I was with Greek
friends who knew the island very well, I still used some of the
information you provided on this page.

Thanks again

Anny

Matt,
Thank you sooooo much. My wife and I traveled to Lesvos and fell in love with the island.
The sights, the people, the food (Oh, the food, beer and Ouzo).
Your web sight made it even more enjoyable.
Thanks Again,
R. Streight

Hi Matt:

I just wanted to thank you for all of your assistance (via your web site
and your e-mail) in planning our recent trip to Greece. We have just
returned from a most delightful adventure in Athens, Rhodes (where I had
a scientific meeting), and Lesvos. We only spent a few days in Athens,
but enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you for linking us with the Dolphin Hellas Travel agency. We did
all of our bookings exclusive of my conference through them. As you
noted, they were quite accommodating and professional our flight plans,
airport transfers, hotels, etc were excellent.

Most of all, thank you for introducing us to Lesvos through your web
pages. This island was just what the doctor ordered! Since the 4 of us
arrived around midnight and we had rented a small car, we wanted to stay
nearby. Hotel Heliotrope in Varia fit the bill well. We explored a
different part of the island each day and it would be difficult to
choose a favorite place! Certainly Molyvos and Petra were delightful,
but so was Yera, Agiassos, Agios Isodoros, Kaloni, and Sigri. Both the
Archeological Museum of Mytilini and the Ecclesesiastical-Byzantine
Museum were great. The food and the people were fantastic with one
exception - please remove The Octopus in Molyvos from the list of
recommended choices. This was the only disappointing meal (and service)
that we experienced on the whole trip. Most of their seafood had been
previously frozen and tasted far from fresh, the service was surly, and
the number of stray, aggressively begging cats far outnumbered the
number of diners. Navagio and Stratos in Mytilini were wonderful as
promised!

We look forward to a return visit to Lesvos as well as other islands and
the mainland.

Best regards,

Paul

Dear Mr. Barrett:

I was one of those who were lucky enough to check your website on
Greece and receive your newsletter. I am originally from Athens and
have lived in the U.S for 13 years. This year, we were looking for a
new place to go in Greece, when not in Athens. We took your advice
and visited Lesvos. We stayed at the Aeolean Village hotel/resort
at Skala Eressou and visited the western and northern part of the
island. Lesvos was as you described it. Friendly, authentic, not
yet so spoiled. My husband, who is Greek-American and has been to
Greece four times, said that he would be most likely to visit Lesvos
again more than any other place he has visited in Greece.

On our fist day in Athens we went to Monastiraki and visited the
jewlery store you recommended. Your friend helped me find a great
ring and he gave us a tremendous price. He truly has some beautiful
pieces in both stores. Your wife was right!

So, what can I say? I still cannot believe that I made all my
vacation planning thanks to your great advice.

Thank you.

Bessie Karras

Hi Matt,
Thank you for all the useful information I received for Greece! It seems
like you, literally speaking, fell in love with the natural beauty of this
'Godblessed land', which is the country I come from. I was impressed of the
depth of the information provided on your web pages, and the accuracy of it.
The only drawback was that some of the pictures(on the 'Lesvos' page) were
not visible at all, or took a long time to appear on the screen.

As for your new page on the island of Lesvos, I have to say that I found it
extremely interesting the way you supplied people with the right reasons for
visiting the island. I totally agree with you on how beautiful and unspoilt
this island is! Especially the view from the village of Sigri is
breathtaking. I always have this picture of Sigri on my mind but not so
vivid as I keep it inside my heart! It is a place that attracts you with its
natural striking beauty and culture than it's nightlife, which is hardly
any!

For once again WELL DONE Matt!!
I truly hope Greece won't let you down!
Dimitra.

Just a quick note to thank you for all the useful info on the lesvos.com web
pages. We've just returned from a wonderful two-week holiday there (in Molyvos),
which was made all the better by the restaurant and sightseeing recommendations
in your guide. I can safely say it was the best Greek holiday we've ever had,
and the taverna selection provided us with some unforgettable eating experiences
and romantic views of this lovely island.

Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

Regards,

John Hart and Kim Butler

Dear Mr Barrett

I have spent the last half hour going through your web page on Lesvos and I feel compelled to email to you to say it's bloody fantastic!!

I am a recent Internet user and the reason why I chose Lesvos is that my parents are from the island. I have been there many times myself however the last time I was there was 1994.

I'm trying to find information for my husband who is an Aussie, just to show him what it's like and how great it is. Besides your web page is so comprehesive with great links.

I must say, I was a little disappointed there was no information on the village of Stipsi. I know it's a bit of a dead end kind of place but it's where my family is from.
I mean if you can do a write up on the village of Xidera surely you can do one for Stipsi!! I know you have family there; is that why you included Xidera on your web page?

Anyway, thanks for compiling such great information on Lesvos.

Yours sincerely

Mary Seretis-Joiner.

Matt,
You have the most fascinating newsletter I've ever seen. It gets me out of my doldrums when I miss Greece but it also gives my family here a great idea of why I love it so much. I've given your address to quite a few friends and classmates that are interested to see where I'm moving to and they love your style too. You have been a breath of fresh air for me while I wait to be back with my fiance and his sister's family this May.

Thank you Thank you Thank you !!!!!
Tzavet

thank you for your quick reply. We'll write to Sappho straight away, and if
it's not possible at all to go also to Samos (all considered, Santorini
could be left for another trip, possibly NOT in August, as it looks
terribly crowded), we'll explore Lesvos at ease. In fact, what has striken
me in your description of the island was mainly your opinion that was
impossible to get bored there. My husband is the "easy-bored" type so one
has to be careful when planning a trip :-)

And thank you again for your site: you succeded wonderfully in mixing
personal opinions, souvenirs and advices with useful general information. I
think we'll print all your pages on Lesvos and bring them with us as the
best guide. Do Greek islands, and Lesvos in particular, understand how much
they owe you?

all the best

Claudia DG

Hi Matt.

We returned from Plomari last week, at the time where you returned from Sifnos. But anyway We had a good Wacacion. This time We had mopeds, ouer son is old enough to drive now, it is the first time we have tryed to see the island in this way, it´s fantastic you get the things in another way. We stayed as usually in Hotel Irini in Amoudeli, on the road to Melinda, the road are under construction, but we could get through to Melinda on moped.The town have got a new mayor, so they are shinning up the old road to Amoudeli as well as the little square in Plomari.We asked Leo, a danish gouy who have lived there for several years, about Ouzo with a cork in, and he told us he had newer seen it. Next morning my wife found a bottle in the supermarket, so it still exit, and we found the factory, but me and Leo had never seen it in anny cafeneon. Leo have got you´r sites about Lesvos, and I have told a lot of other people about it. Some have conection to the Web, and to others I´m printing it out and sending it to them (it is danish people), I hope this is allright.That´s all for now Matt, I´ll contact you later on the year, because We are planing to go to Athen in November.
Thank you for the good informations about Greece, our number 2 country.

All the best
Jens

Matt,

Just thought I'd drop you a quick line to let you know how much me and my
girlfriend enjoyed our two week stay at Skala Eressos in September.

I found the details on your website and booked in through Yianna at Eressos
travel. We stayed at Heliotopos and found it as lovely as you suggested.
Yianna came over to see us around a week into our holiday to make sure all
was well and her father constantly brought us armfuls of figs or bunches of
grapes. The parrot, you will be pleased to hear, still enjoys joining in
with whistling games across the garden and has perfected both a cat's meow
and the sound of a car horn, employed whenever a car comes up the drive.
Pure heaven.

I have been asked to send regards from Yianna, Kostas at the Blue Horizon
(who insisted that I come back in spring to hunt octopus with him, and this
time stay at HIS hotel!) and also Vassilis (who is now working at the
Adonis), with whom we spent pleasant evenings sipping ouzo and talking about
life, love and everything! All in all you seem to be something of a
celebrity out there - as Vassilis put it: 'Others do it for money, Matt
Barrett does it for love'.

Thank you for all your good advice.

Steve.

I was browsing the web and came across youre site on
Lesvos. It is such an enjoyable read and i wanted to
let you know how lovely it is to come across something
so exact to the island. I have been only been once
last summer but hope to go again with my Greek
boyfriend this summer. Many of the places you wrote
about i have been to and it was lovely to read about
the history and background which i didn't know about.
Thankyou!

Hi Matt

Had to put 'fingers to computer' and let you know how excellent your article
is on Lesvos. And what a thrill it was for us to find it. After visiting
many places on our holidays, a few years ago we arrived in Lesvos. Little
did we know that when we stepped off that plane and climbed on the coach to
go to Petra that we would be 'smitten'. And since then we have gone back
every year. Something we had never thought to do before.
We live on an Island ourselves (don't know if you've ever been here) called
the Isle of Wight, of the south coast of England, it's about half the size
of Lesvos. We have beautiful scenery, many beaches, some rugged, some more
commercial and so when we go away on holiday we are not the typical holiday
maker. We do not grab our towel and rush down to the beach. Quite the
opposite, it's walking shoes, camera and head inland, away from tourists,
into the villages and mountains with the magnificent scenery which we never
tire of. It's trial and error but we have now discovered some great walks,
nothing too strenuous and usually with a Taverna on route. We go away in May
and October, when it's quieter, as we are loath to leave our own Island
during the summer months.
As we have been unable to find a map of these walks and on occasions find
ourselves directing lost walkers. I am thinking of writing a booklet myself,
although on second thoughts, perhaps we should remain selfish and keep them
to ourselves as we rarely meet anyone and can admire the beauty of our
surroundings without interference.
We have been to many other Greek Islands, and have enjoyed our holidays but
nothing has compared to Lesvos. We stay on a smallholding on the outskirts
of Petra, very basic, but suits us just fine. Christina and her family are
very hard working people that work all day on their land and each weekend
load up their pony and go to Molivos to sell their produce.
The greeting we get each year when we walk through their gate is heart
warming although it's distressing when Christina is in tears when we leave.
We cannot talk to each other as she speaks no English, but I consider her a
friend. And because of the language difficulty I am now trying to learn
Greek. Its very difficult on the Isle of Wight as there is nowhere I can get
any lessons, so I sent away for a couple of C.D. ROMs and with my four
phrase books I am managing to learn enough to speak one or even two line
sentences, but I need conversation experience and am now advertising in the
local paper to see if there is a Greek speaking person to help me out.
This year we are going to Lesvos in May and September, landing on the 10th
of May for two weeks and again in September on the 27th for another two
weeks.
Each year we hire a motorbike for a few days to get about further on the
Island. We have been to Agiasos and certainly intend to go there again this
year. Last time we went there we met up with a lady who lives there, she was
Greek but had spent some years in Australia and she delighted in talking to
us in English as she told us it was the only time she had the chance. We
want to seek her out again.
In September we hope to do some 'Lesvos hopping'. Travelling about on
motorbike and staying in other area's that we have not yet managed to get
to.
We particularly like the sound of the remote village you speak of, after
searching the map we found it (we think). On the map spelt Chidira near
Vatousa. We have been along this road many times but never dreamt that there
was a village there. Do you think the locals would mind if we visited them,
we do not want to impose, we know ourselves what a 'pain' tourists can be,
and do not want to upset their peace and quiet.
We have managed to find our way to small villages on occasions and have
always received a wonderful welcome from the locals. On One occasion when
staying in Vatera, and while riding pushbikes we cycled to two villages
called Kato Stavros and Stavros. They made us feel like royalty and one man
who was hanging out washing came across the road to greet us and practise
his English. These people put us British to shame as we rarely bother to
learn another language.
Each year we are amazed at how many locals remember us and have come out to
greet us and given us fruit or veg. Or the English speaking make a point of
shaking our hands and welcome us back. This is what makes Lesvos so special
and we would never want to take this hospitality for granted.
I am at work at the moment so had better stop day-dreaming of our next visit
to Lesvos and get some work done. It's been nice 'talking' to you Matt, hope
I haven't bored you too much. And once again thank you for your interesting
article.
Pat and Brian Medley from the Isle of Wight

Matt, this is a belated thank you from my wife, Marilyn and I for the information on your website about Lesvos. We travelled to Lesvos in September/October of 1999, on the recommendation of a native son who now runs a great Greek restaurant near where we live. He sent us to his village where we stayed for several days before we travelled around the Island with the assistance of your information. I won't identify the village, which isn't described on your site, mostly because I don't want to attract any more attention than it already gets from the outside world, which isn't much--at least as far as we could tell during the brief time that we were there. Anyway, I am inspired to express our gratitude to you as my thoughts return to Lesvos and to the possibility of another, longer trip there soon. Thank you again!

Paul Kyba

Matt, your information is Great and so is the presentation of information.
You have helped tremendously in my plans for visiting there in the spring.
I plan on leaving a bottle of Ouzo with Jo and Joanna with Your Name On IT
!!!!!

Dear Matt Barrett, you have made a great site, very much information. I am
going to Lesvos with my daughter this summer (and planning to Chios some
days) and printed all your information, it's better than buying a lonely
planet guide, which has just five pages about lesvos. We travelled a lot in
Greece, Crete, Samos, Rhodos, Kos, Corfu, we like the atmosphere, the
people, the culture etc. Maybe I will e-mail you some pictures and
impressions 'from your favourite island' this summer.
Greetings,
Albert Vondeling from Holland.

Hello Matt

After visiting your site last year we booked a two week holiday on Lesvos in
early May and it was...paradise. I've never taken so many photos of wild
flower meadows and tortoises. We tried most of the restaurants you
recommended and a few we found ourself.
We're going back in two weeks and two days( not that I'm counting). Just
dropping a line to say thanks for all the info it's brilliant. I agree about
the spas. Thermi on Yerra was like a trip back in time... pure luxury. All I
needed was a Greek God and a bunch of grapes!
In case you update your site We tried the restaurant at Gavatha run by the
lady from America and she wasn't cooking last year, because her daughters
had gone away.
Also much as I love your website I had to click your
daughter/granddaughters/niece's(?) site as the best - because it made me
laugh.

kind regards and best wishes

Kate Taylor

Dear Matt, Just a short note to say thank you for your wonderful
website! What a great job you have done! I enjoy reading it. A friend
and I are heading to Lesvos...we are going to stay at the Clara
hotel..not on your website but looks lovely and a good deal..I will be
staying another week after she leaves and have written to Sapho travel
for suggestions. Again, thanks for your generous sharing of info and
so well done! Andrea

to Matt Barrett

my compliments for your website. We were at Lesvos (Molyvos) this summer and before we´ve read most of the information that you´ve put on your web-site. A lot of useful information and tips about the islands.

greetings,

Herman den Besten
the Netherlands (Europe)

Spent two happy weeks on Lesvos thanks to your wonderful site. Stayed at Kaptanis and met a few of your friends. Thanks again.

John

Well we had a great time visiting Lesvos much to finding and getting inspired by your Travel Guide. We even sat right behind you at Adonis one lunch. I did not want to disturb you since your where busy with some guests, I regret that a little. Erssos is wonderful for a nice relaxing holiday and we also had the best food ever in Greece in Lesvos. Du you know anything about Limnos?
Sincerely, Susanne Lehrman

Dear Mr. Barrett;

Thank you thank you thank you for your delightful pages about Lesvos! Using them enormously improved the quality of my family's holiday.

We stayed in Molyvos, at Mirsini Studios (NOT recommended!), and ate quite regularly at Sansibal Restaurant (HIGHLY recommended!) If you accept restaurant reviews for your site, let me know, and I'll send one along. By the way, we tried Octopus in the harbour and had grilled swordfish that even our extraordinarily fussy children (5 & 7) enjoyed. Thanks for that tip.

Best regards,

David

Dear Matt
Please could you send me your newsletter, I would like to say how much I enjoy your web site, being a lover of Greece
and all things Greek,especially the Greek people.We were in Lesvos in June,for the 1st time, staying in your village of
Petra, at the Nicholas House studios,only for one week,we enjoyed it so much,the village, the square at the sea front at
night, lovely food and friendly people, some of which I shared an ouzo with in the square beyond the church,and in the
tavernas along the beach,anyway, we have already booked up for next June to stay at the Blue Sky Studios, Which I
believe you recommend, This time for 2 weeks ,so we can have more time to explore the region a bit more, especially Molyvos.I would be grateful of any tips or recommendations of the area.We have been to many islands, and the mainland
and have enjoyed them all in different ways, We are off to Crete in October so not to long to wait,thank you once again
and look forward to hearing from you soon.yours sincerly.
Phil Williams

Yiassou Matt,

In hopes this finds you and yours well and in good health.

While spending a few minutes at the computer, I happened across your site and felt compelled to drop a note. We were in contact prior to taking our grand girls to the "old country" in 1999 and your web site, plus our contact made the trip an extremely successful event. Three generations of our family in Greece for three weeks: visiting relatives, shopping, touring, cruising and exposing my children and grandchildren to my culture......I told my wife that I could now die a happy man.

You've expanded your site since I explored it last, and done a heck of a job with it. Should our paths ever cross or should I catch up with you on Lesvos, the drinks are on me. When my parents fled Smyrna, Turkey; that was their first home before moving on to Pireus -- Likovrissi - Kokinya, etc.
I won't take any more of your time, but I couldn't pass up saying, "Yiassou".

Nah eemahsteh kala,
Dimitri

Dear Matt,

We have just returned from our 2-week holiday on Lesvos, and thought you might like our comments.

We booked at the Sunrise Hotel, Molyvos, via Sappho Travel. The latter are totally chaotic, and response varies between nothing and late, but is always informative, cheerful, full of humour, and totally honest. I have never encountered anyone like them and would unhesitatingly recommend them, unless you suffer from any form of heart condition!

The Sunrise is truly splendid. From Anastasia on Reception - the most cheerful and helpful receptionist I have ever met - to the car hire guy who was so accommodating, to the great view across the strait to Turkey, everything was just perfect. Even its position was just far enough outside town to be completely peaceful, yet near enough to be able to walk there in 20 minutes if you missed the bus.

On the slightly negative side I should add the following:

The island was larger than we thought, and touring, even with air conditioning, to Sigri, Eressos etc was quite tiring. However, it did confirm what Sappho Travel told us - that the area we had chosen to stay was best suited to us. Skala Eressos had a great beach but, at least on the day we visited, it was unbearably hot (and we'd already been on the island for over a week to acclimatise!).

I should also add that the Molyvos harbour restaurants (even the Captain's Table, which you have praised so highly) were all okay, but very similar to each other, and we actually preferred the last one you come to - Pharos, which had a more local clientele, better service, and slightly better food. However, our top three restaurants have to be as follows:

1. The Eftalou Restaurant (where you had recommended the Spinach Pie etc). The service was superb, and the food was the freshest, the choice was enormous, and the view was great. A 20-minute walk from the Sunrise, along by the beach - we could have eaten there every night! Apparently some Americans have asked for the Spinach Pie and left if it isn't on that night, so please warn people - the food is the freshest you can get, so not everything is available every night. But don't worry - it's all great!

2. The restaurant in Petri, in the hills above Petra. I've mislaid the name, but the village is tiny, and there is only one restaurant, so you can't miss it. The view is to die for, the service is great, and they take you into the kitchen to see what is on offer that day. The kitchen is tiny, so the menu is not vast, but everything is cooked with love, and there's something for everyone.

3. The Vafios restaurant you recommended is very similar, and only comes below the Petri one because the view is not quite as good (though still wonderful), and you don't get to choose your meal from the kitchen. The menu, however, is more extensive, and all home cooked, so there's nothing much to choose between them.

We found the Anatoli disappointing.

That's about it. Thank you very much for all the information you provided, which helped to give us the best holiday any of us can remember. We may even buy a house there!

Best regards,

Colin Flint

Hi Matt
Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on a fabulous site !
No other site or guide book gave us anywhere near the amount of information yours did.
We just came back from a weeks holiday in Lesvos - a stunning island !
My partner and I are real "foodies" so we printed off your restaurant guide pages & took them with us. We soon came to the conclusion that there were "too many restautants - not enough time ! ", but I thought I'd let you know of a couple of our favourites.
We stayed in Anaxos which was fine as a resort, but in terms of eating fairly ordinary. We did go to Avlaki, which was superb and had also been recommended to us by the car hire firm we used - the Moussaka was beautiful !
We took the advice of the Dutch couple who emailed you & went in search of "The Traditional" in Petra. What a find ! You really must try it - we had meal of starters only because there were so many on the menu that we hadn't seen anywhere else we couldn't narrow it down enough to leave room for a main course ! The stuffed peppers were to die for and the split pea dip divine. We also had fresh ( as opposed to canned ) stuffed vine leaves for the first time and their garlic bread is delicious. And even in the busy summer months there is free ice-cream !
Our other favourite restaurant was Vangelis, in Molyvos. We intended to go to the Captains Table but were seduced by the sight of Mr. Vangelis chopping up a huge fresh tuna outside his restaurant next door. We got chatting to him and ended up staying & having the best fish meal we can remember ! It was an enormous platter of mixed grilled fish - tuna, swordfish, black bream, sardines and two other fish we couldn't identify but all cooked to perfection. We also had potatoes cookes in olive oil, lemon juice and oregano which were simply divine - and all washed down by a superb house white wine - my mouth is watering as I sit & type this !!
Mr. Vangelis was charming and we were really made to feel like special guests - his restaurant is right next door to the Captains Table ( on the right as you face it ) Unfortunately, that was our last night there so we left Lesvos without trying the Captains Table but I think if anyone can't get a table there ( as they were very busy from 9.30 onwards) then they could do much worse than try Vangelis.
Thanks again for a great site & we're looking forward to trying some more of your recommendations next time we visit Greece !
Liz Mason & David Hesketh

Cheers!

I returned from my honeymoon in Greece this past
Sunday. About a month before going on the trip I came
upon your web site which was a great help. Because
some of the tri had already been planned we used it
for our time on Lesvos and Santorini. It was a great
help.

We stayed at The Sunrise Hotel in Lesvos. The hotel
and the town of Molyvos were by far the highlight of
our honeymoon. Lesvos was quiet and relaxing but the
city had a nice level of energy for the evenings. The
Sunrise Hotel had a beautiful accommodations and
friendly staff that truly made us feel at home. By
the way, they speak very highly of you as well. We
also made two trips to the hot springs with an
additional trip up to the restaurant near by on the
same beach. In the city we had some wonderful meals,
wondered around the streets and went to a play in the
castle.

We also used your guide for our stay in Santorini.
Thank you for that assistance, without it we would
have been disappointed with this part of the holiday.
We were looking for a calm and relaxing vacation. Our
travel agent did not see fit to put us up anywhere
besides Fira. As you know, Fira is far from calm and
relaxing. So, with the help of your guide we stayed
at Villa Mathios. Mamma's food was fantastic and she
is such a doll. Kostas was friendly and made us
laugh. We had a lovely time there. We were lucky
enough to be there for Greek Night where we were
entertained with music and food and dancing. This was
a fantastic evening that was one of the 2 highlights
of our trip to Santorini. The second highlight was
that my husband found a small trail leading off to
these hidden little beaches/coves near Akritorini.
The quiet and the blue waters were about as romantic
as one could ask for.

Besides that we went to Athens and Naxos and we made
day trips to Mykonos and Delos.

Thank you so much for you assistance. The information
on your web site made such a difference in our
honeymoon. I only wish I had found it sooner.

Take care & safe travels!
Stephanie

Hi there, Matt...

I would like to thank you for all that useful information on Lesvos.
(I printed out quite a few of your pages to bring with us..)

We stayed on this great island for 3 weeks in June ( Agios Isidoros).

This village is very nice, actually. Not too many tourists (at least not in June), and just as small to make it "cosy".
We stayed in the hillside in a 2-room appartment , that was owned by a greek couple who had been living in Australia for 32 years.
Returning to Greece was not only easy for them. Having lived in the modern, western world for so long, I think it was difficult to re-adapt to the greek way of living.

After a week we rented a car for 3 days and drove "all over" the island. And we found the turtles both in Skala Eressos and Vatera, and it was great fun feeding them.
The kids just loved it !!! (ok...we did too...)
And we took a bath in the hot spring in Eftalou, which must have been hotter than hell....It took a while before we could force our bodies into the steaming hot water....
But I guess it was good for us.(.it better be.....)

We stayed at the Eftalou Hotel ( very nice) and spent the evening in Molyvos. A great place, but too crowded with tourists..

Having read so much of your written "work", there was no way out;... Xidera.....

And we were not disappointed....it was a very nice village to visit, --not much to do or see, but more to feel and experience.
We had lunch at Avglaia and Panayotis, which truly was an experience. When we came they all moved to one table so that we could have one of the two tables
outside the cafeneon. "WHAT YOU WANT"???, a man asked us!!!. He was, he said, not from the village, but a taxi-driver from a village nearby ( that is if I understood him right in his elegant greek-english...) Anyway, this nice man helped us pick from the missing menu, and after a while Avglaia comes out with
beer, sodas, fries, fetasalad, and of course; fried eggplant and lamb chops.......but....not only once, but two and even three times. We tried to stop her from making more, but in vain....
Nevertheless...I have never tasted lamb chops that good before, and all my son Sigurd (10), could think of after that, was her lamb-chops.......
--And for dessert, fresh fruits from their own garden...delicious!!!!

Then they showed us this book with pictures of themselves from your website, telling us that you were coming to Xidera in two days................................

It is not always easy to explain to the kids the need and importance of this kind of cultural experience, but this time I think they understood...and as they said; "this would never have happened at the Pebble Beach Restaurant...."

Well, we're off and after a short visit to Gavatha( which was really deserted this time of the year), we went to Sigri, which was really a great place to stay the night. A bit strange to see that this charming place has so few tourists.

...So,--we hade a great time, an a very nice vacation ........ much obliged to you, Matheos, and the people of Lesvos....

Best regards, and take care..

Tor & May Britt Christensen
Silje (9), and Sigurd (10).
NORWAY

Matt,
After finding your Web Site I found Lesvos....an island I had never heard of before!.....What a fantastic discovery, we have just returned from a 2 week family holiday staying at the Heliotopos apartments in Scala Erosos. Scala really suited our needs...quiet enough with lots of tavernas and the best thing was that they served authentic and traditional food...plenty of choice and excellent quality. Hiring a car we saw plenty of the island, mainly the west. We would certainly go back. Thanks must also go to Amalia at Erosos Travel for her persistence in finding us our accommodation. Greece really is a wonderful place and now I must try and find somewhere similar for our 2002 holiday...back in Greece of course.

many thanks once again...your website is fabulous....an encyclopaedia of knowledge

Thanks
John

Hello!

We just got back from Petra, Lesvos, and found the To Paradosiako restaurant as recommended by Marianne and Leo Oosterling.
It's well worth a visit, and our directions are:
Face the rock with the sea to your back, and walk up the right-hand side street. You will pass a lot of restaurants on your right, the rock being on your left, but keep going. You will come to Alexander Square (mini market and another restaurant). At this point you are about halfway there, so keep walking. All this time you will be going slightly uphill, but the gradient is not steep. When the gradient flattens out and you start to think you are too far out of town - there it will be, on the right. A small terrace, a few tables in the street, some trees in pots outside. It's a charming restaurant, the food is good (not great, but very, very good).
We had the homemade tomato soup and fried octopus as our starters, both excellent, in fact Barry said it was the best octopus he'd had on the island. Lamb to follow and finally yoghurt and honey, which comes as a matter of course after the main dish.
A caraffe of the house white washed it all down very well and the bill was about 16,000 drx (just over £30 Sterling UK).

Recommended.

Vera Walker

Dear Matt,
We visited Lesvos in May 2001...what a fantastic place!
WE have placed a few birding photos on a small web site...you may link our site to yours if it is any help.
Thanks
Jim Willson
http://www.geocities.com/shearwater2002/BirdingLesvos2001.html

Dear Matt

Just arrived back from holiday in Petra - it's the third time we have been
there. Really is my favourite place - its so unspoilt, the Greeks are still
Greek and so friendly.

Found your website before I went, so we took some of your suggestions. Went
to the hot springs and the Eftalou Restaurant both really good, especially
our lunch at the restaurant, we just sat there waiting for the bus back to
Petra, of course, having a few more glasses of retsina!

Tried the Octopus restaurant in Molyvos and we were impressed, also went to
the Grand Blue another day, the waiter was catching fish in front of the
restaurant, it was also very good. (not on your site) (just around corner,
between Octopus and Captain's Table) (usually go to Capt Table, but is shut
at lunchtimes at the mom).

I noticed that on your site you don't have any restaurants listed in Anaxos
- the one we go to is along the main beach road, on a corner, about half way
down, it's called the Golden Sands - its always very good and the people
are really nice, (go there everytime we've been to Lesvos) - its usually
40/60% tourists and locals - always a good sign, last time we went there
lots of army boys were having lunch.

There is another great restaurant in Petra (not on your site), Giros, in the
busy back street that runs parallel with the sea, great atmosphere, sitting
in street amongst the supermarkets/shops, they did a great snapper and mix
veg, and the best humous I've ever had!!
Lastly, I must agree with the people who recommended the Traditional in
Petra, we went there twice in the week, excellent!!

Great website - I printed lots off and took it as a guide, also showed some
the people in the restaurants their photos or what you said about their
restaurants - that went down well!!!

One last thing:-
I walked though the back streets of Petra on Sunday morning @ 9.30, there
wasn't many people about (locals in church/tourist not out and about yet) it
was a wonderful hot sunny day and as we got nearer the rock you could hear
the service from the church up there being broadcast by loudspeaker, it was
really magical!

Thanks for the site, hope you try some of our suggestions next time you're
in Lesvos.

Annette
in London

Hi there Matt
Once again we have just returned from a visit to Lesvos. This Island is
really becoming like a second home to us. The people are just wonderful and
the welcome we get when we return all makes the travelling worth while.
Living on an Island ourselves it can be a long tiring journey, especially as
we leave home at 10.30p.m. at night. Taxi to ferry, ferry, taxi from ferry
to Gatwick airport, then on arrival in Lesvos the coach from Lesvos airport
to our destination in Petra, we are very tired when we arrive after a night
with no sleep. The security was stepped up at Gatwick, naturally, although
it's always pretty tight there and we was a bit concerned with what it would
be like, but we got through with very little bother.
Once in Lesvos all the travelling was forgotten and we again enjoyed meeting
old friends. We hired a motorbike and went off to some beautiful unspoilt
bays, with no people there, what bliss.
Of course we visited Auntie Aglaia again, we wouldn't have missed this for
the world. She remembered us and this time we decided to eat there, although
neither of us eat much at mid-day. So I asked for a salad thinking we would
be safe there. However she appeared with a gigantic bowl of delicious salad
and we think beans or similar in oil and cheese, (but not too sure) another
bowl of feta cheese in oil appeared, then another bowl of salad. By this
time we was fit to bursting. I whispered to my husband that he must eat it
all, otherwise he would probably be taken to the square and shot. I think
Aglaia and her husband was enjoying seeing us struggle with so much food,
and she made sure that we did eat every bit. When we bid our farewell to
them, what did we find but a man stood in the square by the tree with gun in
his hand, (was he waiting for us just in case we hadn't eaten all our meal I
wonder). I have decided that I have fallen in love with her husband. When we
first met up with him in May he looked quite fierce (we know this can be the
way of the Greeks). This time we immediately got a hand shake and a big
smile from him, his whole face lit up, what an attractive man he must have
been (and still is, when the solemn look leaves his face). I looked out for
your friend across the road but he wasn't there, so we will try again next
May when we return.
I found the post card of Aglaia and sent it back to work, I now have it on
the notice board by my desk. We also enlarged it and have it in a frame on
our living room wall. So we can remember Aglaia her husband and the village
through the winter months.
We went to Vatousa and although we have been there before we have never
walked all through the village. The people there once again were very
friendly. I wanted to help an old man who was struggling with a walking
stick to get up some steep steps. I asked him if I could help him and
although he was very polite and smiling he seemed to want manage on his own.
I hated to see him struggle but didn't interfere.
We now await winter, fortunately as