Eastern Aegean Islands

The group of islands located in the Eastern part of Aegean Sea is far less visited than the famous neighbors Cyclades. The large surface of the most of the islands and the rich vegetation composes a totally different kind of landscape of lush mountains, crops and numerous beaches. Some of the most famous destinations are Skala Eressos in Lesvos the venue of the lesbians gathering here from the entire world, Mastihohoria the villages of Southern Chios where the unique mastic is produced and Ikaria as one of the few places with original and spontaneous joy of life.

The climate of Eastern Aegean Islands is warm, with lots of sunshine, especially during the summer. The weather is mild throughout the year, even during the winter months. The most characteristic feature is the strong winds blowing during August, known as “meltemia”.

The close proximity of the islands to the western coastline of Turkey has played a significant role in their history, especially in the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Turks but also in accepting Greek refugees from Smyrna after the Catastrophe of Smyrna in 1922. Because of their significant geopolitical position close to the Asia Minor coast, were the last islands the Turks let go of their hold. It was in 1912 when the islands of the Eastern Aegean were finally incorporated into the Greek state during the First Balkan War.