Private Tour of Naxian Villages

After we pick you up from your hotel we will embark on our journey to the villages of Naxos by heading inland to Damalas. Even though it is one of the smallest villages in the entire island, its charm will become apparent right at the village's threshold where we will encounter a traditional pottery workshop. As the expert ceramist works the pottery wheel and transforms a piece of earth into a work of art, he will introduce us to the history and secrets of this ancient craft and elucidate its importance in the context of Naxos. After out initiation into the traditions of Naxos we will cross the village to reach its south-west side, where we will learn about another practice tied to the Greek culture since time immemorial, the production of olive oil. Damalas' pride and joy is its restored olive press and its surroundings we will gain precious insight into a revived way of life that springs from ancient Greece.

Time to change locations and visit the nearby village of Chalki. Situated in a fertile plateau and adorned with beautiful neoclassical mansions, Chalki is home to the iconic liqueur 'Kitro'. Made out of citrus, the Naxian liqueur is one of the driest and strongest of its kind in all of Greece. We will pay a visit to the distillery that first made the now-famous liqueur and learn everything about the production process both in terms of fruit varieties and distillation practices, after which a sampling will follow.

Half way through our journey, we'll find ourselves in Filoti, Naxos' largest village. Built on the foothills of Zas, the tallest Cycladic mountain, Filloti is teeming with cafes and taverns, which makes it an ideal location for a coffee break. The large plane tree on the village square offers shade for visitors looking to rest, while the surrounding alleys offer ample opportunity for exploration. Two of the most important historical sites Filoti boasts are the Barozzi Tower, which was built during Venetian rule, and the church of Panagia Filotitissa with its fabulous sculpted bell tower. The neighborhood of Fasolas is especially noteworthy as it is home to traditional shops and workshops, that have been restored to how they were during the 19^th century, reaffirming the village’s long-standing, well-developed trade.

Our next destination lies not far from Filoti, at a slightly higher altitude on Mount Fanari. The picturesque mountain village of Apeiranthos offers majestic views which -as the locals say- make it impossible to understand that you are in fact on an island. Inevitably this will excite those looking to snag some impressive photos of Naxos. The village hosts an impressive amount of museums for its size (five in total) which speaks to its significance in Naxian history. Pay close attention to its unique architecture, with stone towers and churches making it look apart from most Cycladic villages.

Our last destination will be the seaside settlement of Moutsouna and as you glance at the sea you will realize that we just traverse the entire length of the island, finding ourselves on its east coast. Moutsouna served as the seaport of Apeiranthos in the past, but has now assumed its own identity. During the middle of the 20^th century it flourished thanks to the trade of emery that is mined in the nearby mountains. Such was the volume of emery being shipped that the state undertook the construction of a cable railway, one of the largest-scale public works of the interwar period. It was in use until the late 1970s and today the ruins of its infrastructure serve as a testament to the Moutsouna’s industrial heritage. However, the present day image of Moutsouna is one of humble serenity, as the once booming trade port has morphed into a quiet resort with virgin sandy beaches and quaint fish taverns. If you chose to you can have lunch in one of the taverns next to sea before we start making our way back to your hotel.