Mytilene, Greece - Mediterranean Cruises

Begin with a scenic drive through Mytilene town and admire the fine architecture of many old mansions before heading south towards the picturesque village of Plomari. Your drive will follow the shores of the Bay of Geras and give you the chance to enjoy the pure beauty of the landscape.

Lesvos is blessed with fertile soil and covered with lush vegetation, of which the olive tree is most evident. A short stop will be made at Papados, an area with a long tradition in olive oil production, to visit the Vrana Old Olive Press. Built in 1887, this press was one of the first steam-powered factories on Lesvos and the Aegean and today it has been renovated into a museum.

Upon arrival in Plomari, you can enjoy limited free time and stroll through the streets of the village with its local cafés and shops. Afterwards, you will visit the Barbayannis ouzo distillery and have the chance to taste the Barbayannis ouzo, arguably the best in the world.



This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is limited walking over relatively flat ground on this tour. There are approximately 10 steps to negotiate at the entrance to the distillery.Ouzo will only be served to guests over the age of 18.

Start your tour with a picturesque drive through the capital of the island, Mytilene, and continue to Agiassos, past the Bay of Geras, with splendid views of the sea.

Papados Village is an area with a long tradition in olive oil production. The Vrana Old Olive Press was one of the first steam-powered factories on Lesvos and in the Aegean. In its heyday, the olive press was a major industrial facility and today it has been renovated into a museum and displays the age old tradition of producing olive oil.

Agiassos Village is perched on a hill with sloping, steep and cobbled streets lined with wooden houses. Take a short walk through this traditional mountain village, followed by free time to explore independently.

A brief stop will be made to photograph the imposing Venetian Fortress of Mytilene Town, which has dominated the town since the 13th Century.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The visit to Agiassos Village involves some walking.

Enjoy a visit to the Limonos Monastery, built by St Ignatius in the 16th century and set in extensive grounds. Your guide will take you through one of the finest examples of monastic buildings of the later Byzantine style. Free time will be given for gentlemen only to visit the church, still the only place in the monastery that abides with the ‘Avatos’ (which translates to ‘only males are allowed in’).

In the north of the island discover the pretty fishing village of Molyvos, situated in a serene landscape filled with olive groves and perched high upon a rock. Molyvos is dominated by a medieval Venetian fortress, which stretches to the sea. Enjoy a guided walk through the old fortress and then down to the town. Here, traditional buildings built of stone or brightly painted wood are spread in a labyrinth of narrow streets.

A delightful local luncheon will be served at a leading venue on the outskirts of Molyvos.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Guests are advised that shorts are not permitted within the Limonos Monastery. (Ladies are not permitted to wear trousers) and must have shoulders covered. Only men are permitted inside the church at the Monastery. The visit to Molyvos will involve a high level of walking over uneven and uphill terrain with steps.