George loved his grandparents: he started visiting the island when he was young, sleeping on the sofa of the small house on the hill of Chora and waking up το the aroma of the fresh buns of his grandmother and the fresh milk that his grandfather brought. Abstainer by nature (and due to his profession), he managed to combine the nightlife the island generously offers, with trail running and swimming in the crystal clear blue waters of the island.
Flora on the other side, after graduating from school, decided to work on the island all year long. She got to know its inhabitants, their traditions, their routine and was thrilled by the nature.
Hiking to Ios traditional cheesery
Duration
5 hours
Group size
Up to 24 people
Type
Outdoor activities
Language
English - US, Greek
The Experience
- Meet in Chora
- Hike to Cheesery
- Break at the cheesery or optional cheese tasting and visit of the cheesery facilities
- Return to Chora
Hike to the traditional Diaseli Cheesery on the hilltops above Chora! This hike in Ios will take you from the main town of Chora to its untrodden paths in the hills, overlooking the surrounding sea. On the way, you will get to view some of the Ios' best sites and culminate your efforts in a yummy Greek cheese tasting in a beautiful setting.
Overall distance: 9.3 km
Your Itinerary
Hiking towards Diaseli Traditional Cheesery
The hike begins with Ios' scenic windmills situated in the upper streets of Chora. Already starting strong in this charming section of the town, your guide will then lead the way out of Chora, in the direction of the Diaseli cheesery. On the way, you will also make a stop at the Odyseas Elytis Amphitheatre, a beautiful modern amphitheatre built in the same style as in Ancient Greece. The view over the Paralia Beaches and the greater Mediterranean Sea is as breathtaking as the site itself and is well worth the stop.
Tasting local cheese
Once you've taken in the views, you'll head off to the Diaseli Cheesery, a still functional cheesery that also acts as a museum, exhibiting the long-lasting tradition of cheesemaking here in Greece. If you want, you will then have the possibility to pay for a cheese tasting of the various goat's cheeses produced on the island - a delicious and worthy option indeed. Bellies full of Greek produce, you will then make your way back down to the town of Chora, finishing the tour at the upper square (Pano Piatsa) - a perfect spot for a local coffee or snack should you need refreshment after the 4-5 hour outing.
Do not forget to bring:
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Snack
- Hiking shoes
- Sports clothes
- Hat
- Sunscreen
Inclusions
All taxes
Baton
Certified guide
Liability insurance
Medical kit
Exclusions
Cheese tasting (20 euros per person at the cheesery)
Ios during winter is incredible. Incredibly lonely, since most residents and visitors depart in order to work in Athens or abroad. Incredibly green and fertile, something that someone who visits the island in July or August could not imagine. Incredibly mysterious: Starting from the 1970s, when most of the population quit their jobs in the countryside and started working in tourism. Today, half a century later, scattered abandoned farmhouses and chapels, invite you to explore them and bring them back to life through the stories of the old.
Experiences Near By
$38.00 /people
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