24-09-2012 16:05

New Year in Chios Island
The name of the island and the tradition of navigation are identical concepts. It is a natural consequence that the relationship of the residents of the island with the sea and maritime culture has influenced their customs. During the Christmas holidays, children went around the neighbourhoods singing the carols, holding a boat that they have made themselves to show with pride, from house to house. They also used to decorate a boat instead of a tree which is a European tradition adopted in recent decades.
 
The construction and demonstration of naval vessels, from small boys, was established after the liberation of the island by the Turkish domination, to show honour and memory to the fleet that liberated the island. Over the years, the young boys from neighbourhoods mainly in Chora and Vrondados began to cooperate to build models of ships, very large and usually copies of warships, working for several months till they finish.
The results began to be so impressive and the competition among the children began so large, that at New Years Eve they used to come to the central square, with music and lyrics they used to write on their own, to present their boats to the public.
 
Easter: The rocket – war of Vrondados
Vrondados extends north of the town of Chios and is the second largest city of the prefecture. Most of the captains and sailors of the island live here. The custom of rockets has its roots in the times of Turkish Domination and takes place the evening of Holy Saturday. It is an exchange of blows of rockets between the two largest parishes in this city of Saint Mark and Panagia Erythiani.
Initially, the residents of two parishes of the churches used to make homemade cannons that evolved into firework-rockets. The materials for the construction used are nitrates, sulphur and gunpowder and require great care and expertise that passes from father to son.
 
The preparation of the rockets begins almost immediately after Easter in order to be ready for the next year. In recent years the quantity of rockets manufactured up to several thousands and the view presented in the spring sky in the evening of Resurrection is really fabulous. So, more and more tourists choose to spend Easter here in order to enjoy this unique spectacle.
The responsibility for the protection of persons and the neighbouring houses has been taken by the Municipality of Omiroupolis with all the necessary protective measures so as the custom can be performed safely.
 
Carnival in Chios - Mostra - Agas
The Carnival in Chios is fabulous, rich in local customs; the roots are lost in the era of the Middle Ages and the Ottoman. Almost every village has its own Carnival events.
 
Mostra (=show off) of Thymiana
Mostra is the most famous Carnival festival of Chios takes place in the municipality of Thymiana Agios Minas the traditional village of builders. The custom has its roots in the middle Ages, when pirates used to destroy and steal the villages on the coastline of islands and grab the crops of the inhabitants.
Once, during the period of Carnival when the villagers were having a festival, the guards on the cyclic towers - sea observatories warned that pirates were coming.
The villagers went to the beach and set up an ambush. In the tough battle that followed, the pirates were defeated by the villagers, and they were moved as prisoners to the village square. The villagers kept them there to show them off, continuing the festival until the casein Sunday.
In memory of this victory, the villagers revive the custom since then unfailingly every year, even during the Ottoman Domination.

Santorini has a secret... but we have to share it.

It opened in 2004 and soon became one of the favourite dining spots in Santorini. It is called Metaxy mas which means.. between us, but it is not a secret any more that this restaurant has a rich menu with almost 40 different dishes and appetizers based on traditional Greek cuisine.

Privacy on the vivid island of Santorini? Yes, you can have it!

Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.

Something old, something new.... Marmita combines them both!

The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and the sense of renewal is obvious.

Parea Restaurant: a beautiful terrace for the perfect dinner.

We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this restaurant in the heart of Fira. And we are not the only ones. Thousands of tourists include it among their favorites on the volcanic island.

Aktaion - Writing gastronomic history since 1922

Like a relay race of three generations; a journey with happy days, sad days, joys, sorrows, wars, Occupation, poverty, hunger, deaths, volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, flee for a better life, return, better days, feasts, tourism explosion, financial crises and so on… Everything has been indelibly inscribed on the walls of this small building, Aktaion. I feel grateful that life has given me the opportunity to hold the reins of Aktaion all the way to its centennial.

We found the best scandinavian bar in Naxos!

Touristorama has been travelling all around Greece and its islands for over a decade. This year, during our trip to Naxos, the biggest of the Cyclades complex, we discovered an interesting spot, perfect for your night out on the island… which is what we do best: finding the best places and then propose you should visit them! Prime is a Scandinavian Bar, located on a privileged position in Chora of Naxos, opposite the port. It’s been operating for 21 years and enjoys a great fame to both foreign and local tourists.

Get Behind the Wheel and Discover Naxos with a Car

The best thing to do when you get to Naxos is to rent a car. Even if, there is public transportation, there could be long delays while waiting for buses. The most convenient option is to visit Naction...

Parea Restaurant: a beautiful terrace for the perfect dinner.

We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this...

Something old, something new.... Marmita combines them both!

The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and...

Privacy on the vivid island of Santorini? Yes, you can have it!

Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.