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The Greek cuisine can look back on a long tradition. Already in ancient Greece items were founded that still characterize the Greek cuisine: a lot of vegetables and fish, and especially methods of preparation, in which the basic products are at the forefront, particularly opulent preparations or seasonings are so frowned upon. Texts of Hesiod or Homer prove that olives, wine, pomegranate; fig and quince over two thousand years ago determined the diet. The tradition of meze, small, varied dishes that are classic accompaniment to ouzo and wine today, was even then maintained in a somewhat modified form.
Typical of menus on Thasos are stews and vegetable dishes in different variations, for example, with eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini or chickpeas. In mountain villages such as Theologos, Kazaviti, Panagia and Maries can taste especially lamb and goat specialties. For breakfast you can enjoy Greek yogurt with thasian honey and of course fresh fruit from the island. On this hiking trip you will not only experience the unique nature of the island of Thassos and the Nestos Gorge, but also get to know the culinary specialties of this region of Greece.
Dates:
14.05.2024 - 21.05.2024
28.05.2024 - 04.06.2024
17.09.2024 - 24.09.2024
This program can be combined with each of our hotels at Golden Beach area on the island of Thasos (see Accommodation Thasos).
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Day 1 (Sat) : Arrival at Kavala or Thessaloniki Airport
Transfer to the port Keramoti and by ferry boat the Island of Thasos. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome meeting followed by dinner.
Transfer to the port Keramoti from Thessaloniki airport about 3 hours.
Transfer to the port Keramoti from Kavala airport about 15 minutes.
Duration time of the ferry approx 40 minutes.
Day 2 (Sun): Day at leisure
Information meeting with the hiking guide.
Day 3 (Mon): Today we will get to know the island and its inhabitants a little better
Drive to the traditional weekly market in Prinos. Here you will have enough time to stroll through the colorful market and get to know local products or to simply observe the hustle and bustle over a cup of coffee. From Prinos our walking bus will take you up to the mountain village of Kazaviti. In order to hide from the pirates, the locals founded here a big and a small village. Like birds' nests, the houses cling to the hillside between plane trees and walnut trees. During a tour of the village you will have the opportunity to admire the unique architecture of the houses.
We will visit the winegrower Alexander Heer. Here you can find excellent wines, which are produced exclusively as Vin Naturel and in thasic amphorae (Kioupi) according to ancient cultivation. After a small wine tasting we continue south to Skala Maries. A traditional small fishing village where we will enjoy a typical Greek meze by the sea.
After our lunch break we will visit the factory area of the remarkable artist Kostas Lovoulos. The last of the island to work the world famous white marble of Thasos and olive wood working.
Afterwards we visit the traditional mountain village of Theologos. This was the capital of the island in the pirate times. During a tour of the village we will look over the shoulder of a third generation cobbler. Just outside the village are the magnificent waterfalls, depending on the weather you can take a refreshing swim here.
Total time: Approx 6-7 hours
Day 4 (Tue): "Panagia - on the panoramic path to the Golden Beach"
Today we are on a leisurely and eventful hike in the area of the "Golden Beach"
From the picturesque mountain village of Potamia we will walk along the old mule track to the lively and lovely mountain village of Panagia and on to what is probably the most beautiful sandy beach on the island.
On the way to Panagia we have the opportunity to collect local herbs like sage, mint and oregano in spring. In the mountain village of Panagia we visit the olive press of the Sotirelli family, which is over 100 years old. The Thassiot olive "Throumba" is unique in the world. Different products can be tasted here.
Afterwards, a panoramic path with fantastic views over the bay leads us down to the beach. On the way we will visit the Dragon's Cave, known for findings dating back to 500 BC, which played an important role for the islanders during the pirate era.
Lunch at the beach of Chrissi Ammoudia and possibility to swim.
Approx. 12 km / walking time approx. 3-4 hours / ascent approx. 180 Hm / descent: approx. 230 Hm
Day 5 (Wed): "Ai Ilias - The pilgrimage to the prophet"
This partly quite demanding hike takes us from Theologos to Skala Potamia. The hike starts with a steep, partly stony ascent up to the summit church of the Prophet "Ai-Lia's". While we follow an ancient mule track, the landscape changes visibly. While at the beginning it was still rocky and barren, it now becomes greener and more wooded with every step. Soon our path winds through a wetland with giant ferns and old plane trees. The views back to the southern side of the island entice with a great panorama and with good visibility even the sister island Samothrace can be seen. At the end of the hike we reach the village Skala Potamia and enjoy our lunch with a wonderful view over the sea.
Approx. 17 km / walking time approx. 5-6 hours / ascent approx. 430 Hm / descent approx. 550 Hm
Day 6 (Thu): Nestos Gorge on the mainland
The Nestos is one of the largest rivers in Greece and flows into the Thracian Sea opposite the island of Thasos. This delta is one of the few and largest nature reserves in Greece. Before reaching its delta, the Nestos meanders through a spectacular gorge with cliffs up to 1000 m high on one side and wide sandbanks, floodplain forests and beautiful vegetation on the other. Nestos Gorge is home to many rare animals and plants. Colorful iridescent dragonflies and butterflies populate the shore. From the green forests you can hear the singing of numerous birds. Even wild horses live here and on some rocks grow flowers that can only be found in Nestos Gorge. Traditional picnic during the hike.
Approx. 12 km / walking time approx. 4 hours / ascent approx. 80 Hm / descent approx. 500 Hm
Day 7 (Fri): "Kastro - Traditional mountain village"
This hike leads us in the south of the island through rugged and karst surroundings from Theologos to Kastro. Our starting point is named after the evangelist John, who is nicknamed "the theologian" in Greece and is said to have lived in a cave near the present village. However, the Thassite village is famous because of its former grand vizier Mehmed Ali. We begin our hike through a sparse pine forest, crossing the streambed of Lakkos Kastrinon again and again in wide serpentines. Huge plane trees line the path before we reach the Apostolos waterfall. After a short break at this idyllic place we continue to the traditional mountain village. Visit of the very well preserved church of Aghios Athanasios and the ossuary. Lunch at Kosta's, a unique place on the island. Here we will taste Greek home cooking of his wife Dimitra and end the day in convivial company.
Approx. 11 km / walking time approx. 4 hours / ascent approx. 410 Hm / descent approx. 150 Hm
Day 8 (Sa): Departure
Transfer to Kavala or Thessaloniki airport and departure or continuation of your booked connection stay.