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Tourist Guide of Agios Efstratios |
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Ai Stratis is small island, (the third in the district
of Lesvos which consists of Lesvos, Limnos and Ai
Stratis) off the north-northwest coast of Limnos.
It has pleasant sandy beaches, many sea caves and
small churches dotting its hills, and is ideal for
those who desire quiet holidays on an island with
minimal tourist traffic.
The island has volcanic soil with its largest plain
in the northeast section. All of Ai Stratis is included
in Natura 2000's list due to its well-preserved
ecosystem and its many areas of natural beauty.
Much of the coastline is dotted by cragged rocks
and sea caves where the Mediterranean seal Monachus
Monachus finds shelter. In fact, Ai Stratis is regarded
as an extension of the Sea Park of the Northern
Sporades island chain.
Ai
Stratis' residents are mainly occupied with fishing
and raising livestock, to the detriment of agriculture.
A large section of the land on the island belongs
to the Aghioreitika Monasteries of the Monasteries
of Megisti Lavva, Dionysiou, and Karakallou which
rent the land to the locals.
In the past few years, tourism has started to develop
in a rather rapid way. Ai Stratis' beautiful clean
beaches and the promise of eating top-quality freshly-caught
fish along with unique specialty cheeses such as
their ''mizithra'' are becoming known in the tourist
circuit. New roads have been constructed and older
roads improved so access to the many quality beaches
on Ai Strati has been made easier. Fishing boats,
however, transport day-trippers to even the remote
beaches for a day of sunbathing and swimming. Aghios
Antonios, Tragari, Lidario, Gournia, Panaghia and
Kalami are the beaches to visit.
There are small pensions and rented rooms available,
mainly in the port, as well as some taverns and
cafe-bars. Regular boats make the trip to Limnos
and back. Ai Stratis is famed for its sweets such
as chestnut spoon-sweet and on the 15th of August
(Assumption of the Virgin Mary) an exuberant festival
is held in the village square with 'arni kokkinisto
me patates(roast lamb in tomato sauce with potatoes)
- a specialty of the island. |
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