Leave Turkey and cruise towards Chios, a beautiful Greek island rich in history.
The island is renowned for the Masticahoria or the mastic villages which for hundreds of years have cultivated mastica, the sap of the mastic trees, which is a wondrous substance that cures illnesses and has been used for a variety of purposes since ancient times.Chios Mastic Museum offers an excellent overview of the mastic cultivation and production process, plus a grove of mastic trees.
There are also very beautiful, small medieval villages, such as Pyrgi and Olympi, with the geometrical patterns on the external walls.
On the southwestern coast of Chios lies the beach of Emporios Mavros Gialos. Its name means black beach due to the black pebbles and sand from the volcano that is now extinct.
The area is renowned for the natural landscape and relaxing surroundings; blue crystalline waters surrounded by rocky hills with low vegetation and greenery.
The island also offers many chances for hiking with trails leading to secluded beaches, medieval villages and old monasteries.