PILGRIMAGE to Agiassos
12/8 – 18 /8 2017
Sat 12/8
You arrive at the Mytillini airport on Lesvos and gets picked up in a minibus for transport and check-in at Hotel Mytilana Villige. We have a short walk-through in preparation for the week and evenings are free
Sun 13/8
The day is free for you,but the hotel has good acess to the sea. We will be in availible for for those who want to ask questions or may want information about volunteering with refugees or straydogs.You can recharge your batteries and enjoy the sun .We shall start at dawn the morning after. Tips to pack in preparation for the trek are sunscreen, insect repellant, extra t-shirt, snacks, and hansaplast. We offer water, fruit and lunch box .
Mon 14/8
5 am we gather outside the hotel. With a bottle of water in your hand and soft good trekking shoes we leave along the highway towards Agiassos. We make an assess the trek as medium-severe 4/5 much due to the distance of 15 km and the heat can be troublesome. We approximate 7 to 8 hours to go slow. After about 4-5 km, we make our first stop and our one bus is parked there with a simple breakfast. We then continue our tour and will definitely not be alone on the road, but we are followed by many people who have the same goal.The Pilgrimage to Agiassos is an old tradition of Lesvos that attracts walkers from all over Greece.It is a very important religious pilgimage to honur the holy icon of the Virgin Mary.
When we walked about 5 km we reach the site "Karini". Here, travelers traditionally stopped for a long time to pause and cool off at source in the shadow of the ancient and huge "Platanotrees". There is a nice tavern where we hope to be able to make room for some rest and eat a simple packed lunch nearby. We are following the old "Patomeni path" which is an old path. A paved ancient transport route that runs through a landscape of olive groves up to Agiassos 470 m in sea level .The road is lined often by locals who sell locally produced goods and drinks.
When we reach Agiassos, we continue through the mountain down to the Church of Panagia Vrefokratousa that is the goal for the pilgrims. With all due respect to the Greek Orthodox faith, we now have the opportunity to line up to get into the Church and see the holy icon of the Virgin Mary. Together we make up about what time we will gather for departure back to the hotel. There is much to look at, and many festivities so we will be very flexible for those who may want to roam around or eat dinner.
Back at the hotel, the evening and the next day free.
Tue 15/8
FREE DAY FOR PERSONAL ACTIVITIES AND REST.
Wen 16/8
After you receive your breakfast and morning coffee, we collect you at 9 a.m. outside the hotel. We take about 20 min to Pappados where we make a visit at Olive press museeum. We then continue about 30 min to to in Plomari visit Barbayannis ouzomuseum (on Tripadvisor) where we can see how the famous Ouzon are produced.After these visits, we are ready for the sea and we take you to the beach of Agia Isodoros off Plomari.Where we stop for a few hours of Sun, swimming and for those who want to enjoy a good lunch at a taverna. Back at the hotel's evening free for own activities.
Thu 17/8
You eat your breakfast and we meet 9:30 a.m. outside the hotel for a short trip to the Mytillini Centre. We start our walk at the statue of liberty in the harbor and this walk is 3 km so we approximate about 2 hours. Half the time devoted to the Castle of Mytilene (which is one of the Mediterranean's largest) and the other half to the city where you get to see some historical sites from about 500 b.c. to the more modern southern port.The substrate is the streets of asphalt and cobblestone, so regular sneakers works very well.
Time will be provided for lunch on your own and look a bit in the shops before we meet at 2.30 pm to travel a few kilometres to Olive woodhouse (on Tripadvisor) We will see great craftsmanship produced while having the possibility to buy a nice gift with home. When we are ready we head back towards the hotel. at 19:00 we are back in place outside your hotel to take you to the restaurant TIGANAKIA. We would like to invite you to a farewell dinner, and for those who wish to see since the opportunity for transportation back to the hotel.
Fri 18/8
Transfer to the airport after check-out for the flight home, we expect different departures.
This is included in the trip price:
- Hotel incl. breakfast in a double room (single room supplement).
- Packed lunches on walks
- All transportation to and from activities and tours
- All hikes
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Farewell dinner, excluding beverages
This does not include:
- Flight t. or to Mytillini at Lesvos
- Other Dinners
- extra entre on voluntary activities
- Lunches on Saturdays and city tour
- Beverage at the farewell dinner.
The PRICE for the trip, excluding flight: 700:- Euro
Other information
Voluntary activities
Klasificering of the various difficulty levels on hikes
Booking and paymen