Today we ferry to the quirky island of Nisyros,* one of the only Greek islands with its own volcano, and a population of only about 1,000.
A small, quiet island, Nisyros is most well-known for its active volcano that has one of the world's largest hydrothermal craters, as well as its hot springs. The volcano is the youngest one in Greece; it is an active volcano like the ones at Methana, on Milos Island, and on Santorini. The oldest rock formations found around the entire island date back 160,000 years, while the youngest ones, about 15,000 years. It also has one of the biggest hydrothermal craters in the world, with thermal springs having warm waters ranging from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius.
Historically, Nisyros is mentioned in Homer's Iliad as part of the army that descended on the Trojans. They were also part of the Athenian alliance after the Persian Wars for a brief period of time. The islands's economy is based on fishing, agriculture, and tourism; however, the biggest source of income for the island is the production and trade of pumice and perlite.
Our hotel will likely be in the vicinity of Mandraki, the port town of Nisyros and the island’s capital -- small but charming, with a few shops, traditional restaurants and cafes with a view to the sea. It's a fantastic little town to explore on foot, walking up and down the narrow alleys of the medieval castle, and discovering the traditional architecture and pretty little details.
Mandraki also has a couple of museums. There's an Archaeological Museum, where we will learn more about the history of the island, and a small Folklore Museum, where you will see some very interesting old photos and other exhibits.
While on Nisyros, we may be able to sample pythia, savory specialty based on chickpeas. It may be compared to the Middle Eastern falafel, which is prepared with similar ingredients. The adventurous may want to sample koukouzina, a traditional spirit distilled from grapes and figs, and similar to raki. This alcoholic beverage is typically produced at old local distilleries with a preparation process that follows age-old traditional methods handed down for generations.
Overnight on Nisyros.
* PLEASE NOTE that this journey will likely involve a stop at the island of Kos, which will involve us being picked up for a road transfer to a different port on Kos from which ferries to Nisyros depart. And in case you're wondering, we don’t include Kos on our itinerary as it was not one of the original 12 islands of the Dodecanese. That said, ever-changing ferry schedules may necessitate an overnight here at some point.
 
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner