Once home of the legendary poet Sappho, the island of Lesbos has been important in the region since 3000 BC. Today, its main attractions are spear fishing and a unique terrain, ranging from rolling fields to pine forests, mountains and (fairly empty) beaches.
Visit the main city,
Mitilini, set in a crescent-shaped bay in the shadow of a 14th-century castle. On the west side of the island, near Eressos, are the ruins of the ancient woman's commune where Sappho wrote. Although the site is not much more than a crumbled stone wall, visitors still come to pay tribute to the great Greek poet. Writers, actors and artists flock there for summer festivals.
150 mi/240 km northeast of Athens.