Anavatos (Ανάβατος) is an almost completely abandoned medieval village that sits hauntingly on top of a small mountain in Chios, Greece. When approaching it on the road from Avgonima, the village suddenly appears out of nowhere. To me, it looks like a scene out of Game of Thrones. The village is only 16km from Chios Town.
Hidden in a valley in Chios, Greece, Nea Moni (Νέα Μονή) is an 11th century monastery built by Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and his wife, Empress Zoe. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see when visiting Chios.
The part of Chios, Greece, I’m most familiar with is the southern half of the island. The villages in the south are among the most visited places on the island. It’s also the home of the mastic tree and you can find some great tavernas.
Southern Chios has several restaurants to choose from, mostly tavernas serving traditional Greek food.
Southern Chios is the home of mastic (mastiha) trees that grow exclusively on the island. The resin is used in many different products, including food, medicines, dental products, soaps, cosmetics, and varnishes.
The Asclepeion of Kos, the most important archaeological site on the island, was one of many healing sanctuaries in ancient Greece dedicated to the god Asclepius. The priests at these temples usually prescribed a trip to the baths or a gymnasium for a cure, and sometimes used substances like opium to induce trances in the patients. Non-venomous snakes were also often used in the healing process along with dogs.