I visit my sister and her husband twice a year in Eressos, Lesvos. It is a place of dusty tracks and donkeys, sunshine and blue skies (usually!) Eressos is situated at the opposite side of the island to Mytilene airport, a 3 to 4 hour flight from Manchester. The distance is approximately 52 miles, less than one hour on our roads, easily two hours on the twisting mountain roads of the island. The landscape during tourist season, between May and October when the charter flights go, is fairly parched and orange, dotted with small white buildings and clusters of olive trees. Eressos itself is in two parts, the winter village nestled in the hillside a mile or so from the sea, and Skala Eressos, the resort village where the tourists are to be found. I have not yet seen the village busy, though I’m told it does happen. There is an abundance of taverna’s and restaurants along the seafront where meals of all descriptions may be bought at a fraction of the prices we pay in the UK. Food choice from the local supermarket is limited but sufficient. Prices have risen slightly since the introduction of the euro in January 2002, rounded up of course. The people of Eressos are very friendly, even the ones who do not rely on your money for their livelihood, and an air of peace reigns. The laid back atmosphere is broken only by the occasional van touring around selling fish/chickens/household goods or plants. There are quite a few gift shops and an archaeological site but very little else – if you like a lively holiday this is not the place to choose. If you are considering this resort you should be aware that this particular village is a mecca for lesbians worldwide, being the birthplace of the poet Sappho. As a result most couples are of the female variety and both my husband and my father have felt slightly uncomfortable on occasions. Here I must say that 99% of the couples are simply that, couples, albeit women. The other 1% behave quite badly and have been known to demand any man leave a particular section of the beach. I have no problem with gays of either gender, however I do have a problem when the sexuality is flaunted on an open beach where families are present. This small point aside I would highly recommend this resort if, like me, all you want from a holiday is peace and relaxation – the bonus being it’s cheap too!
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Advantages: No mosquitoes on Lesvos, just very nice people at The Olive Press Hotel. Disadvantages: About a 2 hour transfer fron airport to resort, but a great journey.
Jan 18th, 2003
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