IThe North Aegean region is made up of three prefectures and nine islands and a lot of history and folklore. For one thing, Samos is the birthplace of numerous philosophers, such as Pythagoras, Epicurus and Aristarches. And Chios is the birthplace of the poet Homer.

Chios is known for the magical qualities of their mastic trees grown in the mediaeval villages called the Mastichohoria. And Lesbos is known for their intoxicating ouzo drink, but also for Sappho, the ancient poetess. There are numerous Byzantine monasteries, Roman ruins, Ottoman-era mosques, and many cultural, archaeological and folkloric museums.

The most northern Aegean islands of this cluster are Samothrace and Thassos, relatively untouched by the tourist trail and places of luscious vegetation and idyllic beaches, as well as evocative ancient temples and sanctuaries.
The tiny island of Ikaria is known for the hot springs of Therma and the large island of Limnos is a great way to experience an authentic island holiday, without the over-crowded trails of tourists that you tend to find on the most popular islands. In fact, Limnos has a great history, after all this was the home of Hephaistos (literally, volcano) and the god was worshipped here. Limnos is indeed a volcanic island.

The region of the North Aegean islands is full of myth and history, what with ancient and Venetian castles and fortification walls everywhere, archaeological museums chronicling the long history of the region, Hellenist Roman and Byzantine ruins, sanctuaries, temples, reliefs, idols and sculptures that have survived history.
Amongst the ruins of history you will find the surprise of quaint and unspoiled fishing villages, cooking up excellent fresh seafood and accompanying it with the region's excellent wines.

There are rare and natural habitats here full of wild birds and wild plants and trees. The olive trees and the mastic trees are also scattered about the islands. And the spirit of the ancient poets of Sappho and Alkaios seem to pervade the entire region, much farther than their birthplace of Lesbos. Strolling through the modern islands you can still hear the ancient music of Arion and Terpander, in fact, the region still attracts numerous artists, poets and writers, who set up creative artistic colonies throughout the area, probably for this very reason. But there is also a strong traditional in ecclesiastical arts with numerous museums showing off the craftsmanship of the iconographers of the region.

The are numerous ancient amphitheatres in the region, a testament to the cultural flourish of the past, all famous for their excellent natural acoustics. And today, the region continues the strong cultural and theatrical tradition with festivals during the summer and a strong cultural program during the winter months. There is much in terms of folklore and handicrafts in the region famous for its pottery and woodwork. There are also numerous carnivals and other customs on special days throughout the year, making most of the year a festive place.

And lastly, but certainly not least, these islands do also claim to have the best beaches in Greece. Which Greek island doesn't? Numerous resorts and health spas exist on the islands, so that a relaxing and therapeutic sojourn in the Northern Aegean is truly a reality. And one that will remain unforgettable.

All in all, the islands of the North Aegean Sea are charming and distinct. They offer, one could say, a more authentic tourist experience, because they have not had a long history in tourism. This means that their facilities, while state-of-the-art, have developed slowly with excellent respect for the region. There is a strong emphasis on preserving the way of the island without succumbing to the demand of the tourist trade. This is why these islands are always popular with Greeks and continue to offer more than just the classic sun, sea and sand. They offer everything in terms of historical and religious tourism, sophisticated ecotourism, they pride themselves on their produce and cuisine and respect their natural and coastal landscapes. It is not wonder then, that the gods, poets and philosophers once flourished in this very region.