You will be welcomed at the port by your English speaking driver and will start driving to the southern part of the island. Your driver who is a local expert will be able to point out some nice spots to stop along the way for photographs. Your first visit will be the famous “painted” village of Pyrgi. This village stands out from the other mastic villages because of its houses are painted with decorative motives in different shapes, the so called Xysta. Near Pyrgi is also the new Mastic Museum of Chios, that you can also visit if you are interested in learning more about the gum mastic of Chios. Continuing your drive, you will visit the village of Mesta, the most well preserved mastic village of Chios. The village was built in Byzantine times as a castle and walking through the windy alleys of the village, underneath the balconies of the houses is a memorable experience. In Mesta you can also make a short stop for coffee at a traditional coffee shop of the village, before starting your drive back to the port.
