By Katerina Karsioti
Northern Evia at its best and most festive. One of the most impressive and celebratory events took place in the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos, where more than 5,000 people had the chance to experience the lighting of the Christmas tree up close.
The tree came from the Carpathians in Romania, offered as a gift by Mr. Dragos Gabriel Zisopol, President of the Greek Community of Romania, symbolically strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two regions.
It is worth noting that Istiaia is twinned with Volondar in Romania, which is why among those present were Romanian firefighters who had helped during the deadly wildfires, Romanian volunteers who cooked and offered local delicacies to the crowd, and children brought to the area especially for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
In a destination within arm’s reach of Athens, visitors come into direct contact with a place full of hidden gems that fascinate, authentic villages where enduring traditions impress, cultural landmarks of unique significance, and a truly captivating culinary culture.
Despite suffering great destruction, Evia stands strong, continues to dream, and offers warm hospitality while guiding visitors on a “travel experience” marked by complexity and, above all, beauty.
Because it’s worth shining a light on your land’s story and contributing to its regeneration. Between mountain and sea, the journey through Istiaia – Edipsos unfolded in a thematic way, with each new experience following another, setting trends and offering inspiration.
Discovering the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos in Three Days
A visit to Istiaia – Edipsos for the tree lighting included a multitude of activities and tours closely tied to local customs.
The first stop, made before the journey began, was at the center of the region, where excellent accommodation infrastructure exists, such as the hotel “LITO,” offering high-quality services and stunning views.
A meal at the traditional restaurant “Kalyves – Mouries”
The area’s culinary narrative is long and authentic. At “Kalyves,” a stone-built gastronomic home with a tradition in local meats and recipes, memories are sure to be triggered and the flavors reach new heights.
Spa at Greece’s legendary and therapeutic spa town
A visit to Edipsos means SPA. At the hydrotherapy center “9 QUEENS,” run by owner Mr. Giorgos Skourtaniotis and now in its fourth generation, the experience offers something truly unique and relaxing. Edipsos is Greece’s most popular spa town and historic hub for hydrotherapy.
Religious tourism finds its “place”
Istiaia – Edipsos is filled with amazing churches and monasteries. No complete journey would be without a visit to Saint George Monastery, which has a lengthy history. Official records date its founding to 1670, although local tradition claims monastic life began in the 13th century.
High-adrenaline mountain tour with 4×4
The region boasts mountain spots of unique natural beauty, perfect for a variety of themed activities. A 4×4 drive set out from Edipsos toward Mount Telethrio, a unique stop for explorers, and included visits to mountain villages along an ancient oak forest road, ending at the summit of Prophet Elias and the village of Simia.
Mountain visits for pure taste
After an off-road journey, gastronomy takes center stage, offering visitors authentic culinary delights. Tavern “Kokkinomilies” serves signature local recipes with genuine flavor. It honors the rich agri-food bounty of the municipality, with dishes made exclusively from local ingredients. “Zacharakis” in the village of Agios is another local hallmark, with a long tradition in high-quality meat and distinctly Greek traditional cuisine.
Beyond the delicious treats at “Kokkinomilies,” no table is complete without traditional tsipouro. This beloved spirit starred during a visit to a local distillery headed for the mountain villages Kryoneritis and Milies.
Local products “set the most local table”
Agri-food is a major asset throughout Istiaia – Edipsos, with “treasure” production units. Thus, agrotourism tours are a staple of the journey. The figs of Taxiarchis Cooperative are a PDO product exported all over the world. The dried figs (Ficus carica) hail from the “Smyrna” variety, with their distinctiveness coming from sun-drying, the sweet flesh, and their size.
Fig trees are cultivated exclusively within a geographic zone defined by the communities of Taxiarchis, Neos Pyrgos, Agios Georgios, Oreoi, Istiaia, Kamaria, and Kastaniotissa in Northern Evia.
Local dairy products also have pride of place. At the Schoretsanitis dairy, the region’s PDO feta is impressive, the popular “skaroto” cheese comes in various flavors to accompany wine and tsipouro, and the butter and fresh mizithra round out the range, directly from the high mountains.
Mayor Ioannis Kotzias of Istiaia – Edipsos remarked: “Despite the immense destruction Northern Evia suffered over the last year, it remains standing and moves forward, striving for a better tomorrow for the region, its residents, and its visitors.
The lighting of the Christmas tree of solidarity and hope, as we named it, is a major festival and marks a great rebirth.”