Chios Maritime Museum is established at an impressive neoclassic building at the centre of Chios town (Address: Stefanou Tsouri 20), that was donated by the heirs of Anastasios and Marouko Patera. It aims to promote the long nautical history and tradition of Chios island and the role it has played in the modern shipping industry. Its exhibition includes naïve paintings of ships by the folk painter Aristeidis Glykas from Vrontados, parts and models of ships, photographs and other artefacts of maritime life. A visit there is a must during a walk around Chios Town.

As you enter the garden and yard of Chios Maritime Museum, you cannot miss the monument dedicated to the memory of 328 Chian mariners who were lost at sea during the  World War II. It was created by sculptor Alexandros Kokkinos. It is made from stainless steel and the 328 names are engraved on it.

Chios Maritime Museum has a library with a collection of books, brochures and documents about maritime themes. It was donated to the museum by journalist E. Batis and the collection is still growing, thanks to donations. The Museum organizes lectures, conferences and educational programs for children. It is also available for hosting events. Usually during the summer, it hosts a couple of very interesting music events, such as Chios Music Festival concerts.

After you finish your tour at Chios Maritime Museum, don’t forget to stop by the cute gift shop, where you can find handmade ceramics, t-shirts and print outs of paintings and Chios engravings.

Those who choose running as a workout have the convenience of exercising wherever they are, and of course on their holidays, since this is the most appropriate and easiest exercise that one can do, that also offers mental uplift in addition to body training. But when one runs at Kampos, the enjoyment of running takes a whole different dimension.

Kampos of Chios is a plain, stretching along the eastern coast of the island, 10 km long and 2 km wide. The whole area is a sightseeing spot and it is protected by the Greek Ministry of Culture as a historical site and a traditional settlement. The natural landscape and the remarkable architecture that combines elements from the Genoese and the modern neoclassic cultural heritage of the island, the narrow, quiet and tangled streets between the citrus orchards and the imposing mansions with the high walls, make Kampos an ideal place for running. The area offers a wide range of running routes without elevation, ideal for those looking for large asphalt tracks. If someone wants to run uphill, there is also this option that will lead him to the highest points around Kampos, which offer a unique view of the area.

Running lovers will find the paths of their dreams in Kampos. Clean environment, with unexpected citrus smells emerging from the orchards and calm, as there are not many cars in the area.

The mansions with the arched doors and windows, the walls and the elaborate garden doors will make the runners want to run more and more in order to admire them all. There are many route choices and all you need is good music and the right stretches for a memorable run.

Tip: Every year, a semi marathon race of 21 km is organized in Kampos, a unique route crossing citrus fruit gardens. The event takes place at the end of the summer and this year is scheduled for Sunday 1^st of September. There is also a choice for running or walking on a 10 or 5 km route. For more information and participation, visit: http://www.chiosrunning.gr/en/ 

Chios’ long maritime tradition has determined the history and social organization of the island as well as the identity of the destination and its people. It is as important as the cultivation of the unique Chios natural mastiha (PDO).

The maritime villages of the island are full of exciting stories of hard work and success as well as grief and separation. At the kafeneia (coffee shops) mariners (retired or not) will tell stories of journeys at exotic places and ports.

Vrontados, Sykiada, Lagada, Kardamyla and Oinousses are proud of their mariners, captains and engineers. This long tradition of work at sea continues today with a lot of young people choosing to follow a career at the Greek Merchant Navy. The fact that a lot of powerful shipowners that dominate today’s global maritime industry are from Chios has played an important role in this tradition. 

Built by the sea, Chios’ maritime villages are living examples of this long tradition, which is evident in their architecture, the works of art in the public places, the infrastructure projects that have been donated by shipbuilding families (such as the Fafalieion Stadium in Vrontados, the Livaneio High School of Kardamyla and the Schools of Merchant Navy). Everyday life here is built around and based on the sea.  

A landmark that one cannot miss at the seaside of Vrontados is the Lost Sailor, a sculpture by Thanasis Apartis, dedicated to the mariners that were lost at sea. Accordingly, Maramaro, the seaside of Kardamyla village, is dominated by the sculptures dedicated at the mariner of Kardamyla and the mothers of Kardamyla that bid farewell to their sons and husbands, as they set out for a long journey at sea. On arrival at Oinousses, we are greeted by the Mermaid, a sculpture by Mary Papakonstantinou, dedicated to the magic sea creature that wishes well to mariners on their trips and a speedy and safe return.

February is coming and there is no better idea than an excursion to Central Chios to make a winter Sunday exciting!

Starting from the town of Chios, take your coffee and maybe some “loukoumades” in a box and enjoy the ride through pine trees to the "Aegean Mistras". This is Anavatos, the village with two-storey stone houses that look like hanging over the cliff. Take your coffee with you and climb to the highest point of the village, through the stone paved path and the old abandoned houses. When you make it to the top, the winter landscape and the view will take your breath away!

Then head to the picturesque village of Avgonima, situated just 6 km away, uniquely built on a rocky hill among the pine forests. The stone, cube-shaped houses, the narrow streets and the stone-paved alleys are perfect for both adults and children, since they create a perfect setting for romantic walks and endless games at the same time. The village is one of the classic gastronomic destinations for the Chians, who visit it often for the good food served at the local traditional taverns. Follow the smell and stop at a tavern to eat hand-made pasta with rooster, goat, vegan “keftedes”, fresh cheese (mizithra) and the mushrooms called “amanites” accompanied by Chian wine, ouzo or souma!

Can you think of a better way to spend a winter Sunday or even an entire weekend next to the fireplace?

Book now a short stay in one of the traditional hotels of the village.

The unique Mastiha is the brand product of Chios. Its multiple uses are constantly increasing. However, since the old days, the Chians used to make a special liqueur flavored with mastic.

The "Chios Mastiha" liqueur is classified among the Greek PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products. It is produced either by blending mastic oil, alcohol and sugar, or by extracting alcohol from mastic tears and then distilling and mixing with sugar. It is transparent and distinguished by its particular aroma and its qualities as an excellent digestive. A glass of mastiha liqueur can accompany sweets or ice creams on an afternoon call, can perfectly close a nice meal, or give a special flavor to a fruit salad.

In recent years, its special flavor has challenged the imagination of professional bartenders all over the world, who are creating cocktails with mastiha. Also the local bars of Chios have worked hard and have managed to raise their cocktail lists to a very high level, satisfying even for the most demanding connoisseurs, and winning international bartending contests. On your next visit to Chios, visit the local bars and you will be thrilled by the variety and the quality of the mastiha flavored cocktails.

Till then, try making a Mastiha Mojito” following this recipe:

Materials:2 ½ tsp. sugar

10 ml of fresh lemon juice

40 ml mastiha liqueur

20 ml of white rum

soda

ice

some mint leaves for garnish 

Implementation:Put the sugar, lemon and mint in a mortar and beat them. Add the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!