Two weeks tomorrow we fly out.<BR><BR>Has no-one been there? No tips or anything?<BR><BR>

Sheila, I don't know how good this webiste is, but you might try posting here. This forum is all about travel in Greece:<BR>http://forums.about.com/n/main.asp?w...eece&nav=start

I haven't been to Lesvos yet, but I do have these websites which may help if you don't already have them<BR>www.lesvosonline.gr<BR>www.greektravel.com

Definitely try greektravel.com for info on Lesvos. The site belongs to Matt Barrett and if I'm not mistaken his wife Andrea is from that island. You can also email Matt directly for any info.

Thank you. I had some but not all of those links before.<BR><BR>Anyone actually been?

I'm Greek. I live and work in Athens but I have a seaside villa in Lesvos where I spend my summer vacation. Feel free to ask whatever you like.

Topping for Sheila

Dennis<BR><BR>I'd appreciate any usueful insight you can give. We're going for a week, and my key interest is in birdwatching. My husband's is in archaeology. We have a studio in Skalla Kalloni booked and will have a car.<BR><BR>I've got a decent map, a decent guide book, and a good bird guide. I surfed and bookmarked half a dozen web sites. <BR><BR>I guess what we'd most appreciate is guidance on things unlikely to be in the books and nice places to shop and eat and just hang about. Thank you in advance. Feel free to email

We spent a fantastic 2 weeks in Lesvos two years ago.We stayed in Anaxos near Petra,which was OK,but we hired a jeep for 10 days and covered most of the island which we found beautiful and full of great historical sights.We loved Molyvos,the wonderful eating places on the front harbour,the beautiful cobbled streets winding up to the castle at the top and the lovely little shops to browse in.The roads are very poor in places but the sights are worth it.Do visit Mytiline castle as it is amazing.There was no real tourist facilities at all,just a little old man who let us in and left us to it.The beautiful statues,columns and other wonderful finds are strewn on the ground,many outside the paying entrance,it is unbelievable really.The archaelogical museum in Mytiline is also worth a visit.The Petrified forrest was also very interesting but the road up the mountainside was a pretty terrifying experience!(a tip,don't use the toilets on the way around!!).We found a beautiful little harbourside village called Skala Sykamnias which is about 3 kms from Molyvos,it has a famous little church called The Virgin Mary Mermaid and it is so lovely,with wonderful eating places,all of which looked very good.We often drove to Skala Kallonis as our youngest daughter(6 at the time)loved the sandy beach and very shallow water which went out fo about 20 feet,also they caught lots of fish,crabs etc..as the water was so clear(apart from some patches of seaweed).We ate at the tavernas directly across the road from the beach and the food was good and very cheap!We also visited Skala Eressou and liked it very much,again lovely eating places right on the beach,the only drawback was the very stony and pebbly shoreline making it difficult to get into the sea without plastic shoes.We also liked Sigri,especially the Turkish castle there,but it was very small and not so many eating places(unless we missed part of it,we were only there a couple of hours.)The little beach seemed nice.The little villages are completely traditional,beautiful cobbled streets,with very friendly locals and Antissa was very pretty and the trip on dirt tracks,over a dried up river bed,past an abandoned tank from the war! to Ancient Antissa is something i will never forget.The castle on the headland was so spooky and so solitary,the children loved it.The place is beautiful and the people so friendly,great food at great prices(unless it't changed dramatically in 2 years).We thought ANAXOS was ok for a base,Petra was prettier but with a busy road through it when we went in August.I don't know where you are stopping but if you need any more info get in touch.If you are prepared to get about you will love it!!Carol.

Sheila,sorry have just realised you are stopping at Skala Kalloni(did'nt read the previous message properly!)We liked it a lot there,as i said we went back several times.I don't know much about the bird watching aspect but i'm sure you'll have a lovely time.We think the people of Lesvos are so friendly(we were driving through one gorgeous little cobbled streeted village one Sunday morning when suddenly we found the road had become a village pre church meeting place,chairs and tables and families sat around chatting and laughing.They looked at us ,smiled widely and moved all the tables and chairs for us to pass,putting them back behind us,calling greetings to the children as they waved goodbye!It leaves a wonderful memory.)Enjoy.Carol.

Thank you Carol- just what I'm looking for.

Since you have all this internet feedback and Fodorite's advice as well as numerous quidebooks I'll limit my contribution to a couple of hints and tips you might find useful.<BR>1) Since you are into birdwatching be very careful with military installations. They are all over the island even in places that seem deserted. Photography is strictly forbidden there. Usually these areas are clearly marked with sighs in english stating that photography is not allowed, yet you'd rather take some extra caution in order to avoid getting in trouble with the local authorities.<BR>2)my favorite beaches are Agyios Ermogenis, Tarti and Kroussos. They are not the first choices of guides - I don't even know if they are listed- but they are nice, quite and pretty isolated. Agyios Ermogenis is about 18km southbound from the airport. It's a complex of two separate small beaches with warm water and a couple of Tavernas by the wave (I'm afraid that they will not be open in April) where you could perfectly spent a whole lazy day swimming, reading, drinking etc. The same goes for Tarti which is located east of Plomari. If you take the road from Pappados to Promari (or vice versa) you 'll find the relevant intersecrion in the middle of the way. The most spectacular one however is Krousos. It's like being in a place of a century ago from today. Totally deserted, totally isolated, just a small hut where a couple of middle aged locals are happy to cook you whatever is in their disposition (i.e. fish if fishing went OK, fresh vegetables from their garden etc). You may be able to find the relevant intersection on the way between Eressos and Parakoila but bear in mind that it is not clearly marked.<BR>3) try the local spa therapy. it is almost as old as the island. Some of the installations date from the 17th century. I could recommend the municipal ones located at Eftalou.The extremely (almost unbearably)hot water hole is inside an obscure low building, literally 10 steps from the sea. People soak into the water hole and then dive in the ice cold sea!<BR>Well that's all for the moment. If I come up with something new I'll let you Know ASAP.

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Dennis thanks for those great suggestions. After last autumn's shenaigans I wasn't going near anything the least bit miltary!!<BR><BR>Any suggestions for good places to shop?<BR><BR>Or eat?

6 days and counting

Frankly speaking I can't think of an extraordinary place to eat. By saying that I do not mean that the island lacks in quality eating. It is full of cheap, casual and unpretentious eateries with exceptional seafood and salads. These places are practically everywhere. My favorite ones are in Panagiouda a village approximately 5 km North of Mytilene. Unfortunately enough I do not know if they are open for business in April. Anyway being Greek I usually avoid tourist oriented places. It is easy to identify them by their overwhelming ads and signs in English. A modest menu catalogue in english is more than enough.<BR>As for shopping, I'm afraid that I can be of little help. I usually do not shop in te islands. However I have in my home in Athens some fine pottery made in Mandamados. A big village up north. If you get there visit also the Taxiarchis Monastery. The picture of taxiarchis is said to be miraculus. I do not believe is such religious superstitions but I can definitely acknowledge that the picture is absolutely imposing and worth seing.<BR>BTW hoe long are you going to stay there. Any chance to catch Greek orthodox easter?

Dennis you are most generous with your knowledge. Although this is our first time in Lesvos, we have been to Crete three times and to Cyprus- which I know is not Greece- also three time.<BR><BR>I keep trying to learn Greek, and will take the tapes and books with me agin, this time. we don't like to eat in touristy places, but as a tourist it can be hard to find the "off-piste" alternatives. We will certainly get around a bit and will take your recommendations on board.<BR><BR>Unfortunately this trip is only 8 days. A quick getaway.<BR><BR>thanks again