From
Kamariotissa, take the Kamariotissa - Lakkoma provincialroad and
after 3.2km turn left towards Alonia and after 1.3km youreach the
settlement.Alonia is a
traditional small farming settlement in the island’svalley.
Agios Athanasios Monastery, with its miraculous icon,is a
pilgrimage destination and was a dependent of the IberianMonastery
from 1771 until 1965.After
Alonia, return to the Kamariotissa – Lakkoma ProvincialRoad and continue
towards Lakkoma, crossing Alonoudia WildLife
Refuge. It is a hilly area with sparse bushes, covering 875acres. Bird
watching can be done at the refuge.4km from
Alonia on the road to Lakkoma, turn left and 900mdown the
road you will reach Makrilies, a small settlement whichtook its
name from the type of olives which are produced in theregion. A
small distance away, north of Makrilies is the mountainvillage of
Xiropotamos, built along the length of a stream of thesame name
in dense vegetation with vast olive groves, meadowsand
plentiful running water. The road to the Xiropotamos Gorge isa unique
experience.After
Makrilies, return to Kamariotissa-Lakkoma Provincial Roadand after
1km you reach Lakkoma, a small farming village withtraditional
houses. Three old oil presses have survived in the area,an example
of Samothraki early industrial architecture (1900-1920) which
were in operation until 1985. (Prophet Elias) is only2.6km from
Lakkoma. It is worth the drive. Nowhere else is lambon the spit
so delicious as in this small village. As for sunset fromthe
Prophet’s Chapel, it is as if you are flying in Apollo’s chariottowards the
West.From
Lakkoma, set off for Dafnes (1km) and from there PachiaAmmos is
6km. On the road towards Pachia Ammos, give in totemptation
and take the uphill dirt track toward Panagia Kremniotissa.The chapel
of the same name, hanging from a rock, willreward as
much with its view as with its tranquility. You can alsofind
refreshments and try some eclectic mezedes in the smallcafé in the
area. According to tradition, Panagia Kremniotissa isonly one of
999 churches on the island.Pachia
Ammos is the most beautiful beach on the island. Theinaccessible
south-eastern shores can be reached by boat fromPachia
Ammos. The southernside of the
island is hidden,with unique
volcanic formation,the largest
cataract onthe
Mediterranean, Kremasto,sandy coves
and difficultpasses. The
enchanting placeTis Grias
ta Pania and theimpressive
beaches of Vatos,with its
deep water and goodfishing,
and Giali are a truedelight on
a boat trip.Kipos is a
beautiful rockybeach on
the south-westshores of
the island and canbe reached
by boat from Therma or Kamariotissa. It is calledKipos
because it is said that during the Hellenistic Period therewas a large
garden there.
Mountaineering tourismThe
particular characteristic of the island,Mount Saos,
has recently beenincluded in
the European MountainTrail (E6).
The view is excellent fromits peak
and Imvros, Tenedos, Limnosand Agion
Oros (Mount Athos) canbe seen
clearly, as Ion Dragoumis,writer and
politician at the beginningof the 20th
century, observed with hisown eyes.Numerous
paths toward the summit from different startingpoints.
Duration: 4 hours, level of difficulty: 3. The FeggariMountaineering
Association organizes trips at regular intervalsthroughout
the summer and organizes a climb with overnightstay for
the August full moon. The association has a refuge inKoufouklio
(970m) and never tires to point out that on Saos youwill find
loose soil, steep gorges and demands care, a companionand
adherence to the officialpaths.
Diving TourismFor diving
tourism, pleasecontact the
SamothrakiDiving
Centre, for divingat Kati,
Vatos, Ladoxeraand around
the remainsof the 1950
shipwreckKarkani of
Romanianconstruction.
Bird watchingVdelolimni
is a typicalwetland for
bird overwinteringand is
formed by estuaries from the River Fonia. AgiosAndreas sea
lagoon, near Kamariotissa, is also interesting forbird watchers.
Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis), Levant Sparrowhawks(Accipiter
brevipes) and Hobbies (Falco subbutueo) frequent theforests
next to the shore, where they come out to hunt in theevening.
Holidays – Feasts19 October:
National Holiday, anniversary of independence fromOttoman
Rule (1912)18 January,
Feast Day of St. Athanasios (near Alonia Village)30 January,
Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs (Samothraki Town)Easter
Thursday, Feast of Our Lady KamariotissaSunday of
Thomas: Celebration of 5 neo-martyrs of Samothraki;Manuel,
George, Micheal, Theodore and George who weremartyred in
1836.The
Ascension (Therma)20 July,
Profitis Ilias26 July,
Agia Paraskevi (Paleopolis)6 and 15
August (Therma)
FestivalsKaviria:
Summer cultural eventswith musical
evenings and theatreperformances,
as well as night timetours
around the archaeological sitein
Paleopolis. Place: SamothrakiTown,
Kamariotissa. Therma.Samothraki
Dance Festiνal: Whatstarted as
a party of friends playingelectronic
music, has developed intoan August
beach party.