2007 Greece Travel Tips: Go With Chios Tours
BY CATHERINE TSOUNIS

Photo Catherine Tsounis Michael Kolokythias (c.) with Eleni Kolokythias (l.) and Katerina Samata (r.).

It has been 30 years since I went to Chios. All our family is deceased and since I would be alone, I asked Panchiaki Koraes Society of Flushing for a travel agency. Their response: Chios Tours. The agency is owned by Michalis Kolokythias, who has family ties with the village of Tholopotamousis. His uncle is the internationally famous educator Constantine Parthenis. Chios Tours was established in 1980, representing numerous tour operators, charter airlines and international cruise ships. Their Web site shows promotions at Karfgas Beach, Megas Limnionas, Sun Village Hotel, Agia Fotini Beach, Avgonina Village and Olympic Village. I e-mailed for hotel reservations and island excursions. Maria Kolokythias and Katerina Samata, both 23 years old, took personal interest in arranging my trip.

Greece 2007 is in the hands of enterprising young businesswomen and educators with a pro- American attitude. They are fluent in English. Their objective is to help the American tourist get the most from their currency so they will return. This is difficult with 69 cents of the dollar equal to one euro. Olympic Airways, airports, businesses and higher education institutes have focused women proving they can shape the future of Greece. When I arrived at Chios Airport, I noticed the Chios Tours information booth. The travel organization is located at 4 Kokkali St., around the corner from Handris Hotel. Their official email is chiostrs@otenet.gr. The Web site is Chiostours.gr. Kolokythias and Samata are shaping the destiny of Chios Tours.

My flight to Chios through Aegean Airways and return flight to Athens with Olympic Airways was economical. An American passenger from Tennessee said, "These airways have the best pilots in the world, because of their military training." My flight, 6 a.m. from Athens, gave me a whole day of touring Chios on my own. The Handris Hotel, where I had a five-day reservation, had a spectacular view of the sea and Tseme, Turkey.

My first Chios South tour to Armolia, Pirgi, Mesta and Emporios with a Dutch group was exactly what I needed- peace and quiet and with persons who knew some English. They were polite and courteous. I had a guidebook and read everything in English and Greek while the guide communicated in Dutch. The second tour of Central Chios was in cooperation with Kanaris Tours. Both travel organizations work harmoniously together providing more travel opportunities for the foreign tourist. The excursion, with a Norwegian group, included Nea Moni, Avgonima and medieval Anavatos. We communicated in basic English and had a wonderful guide called Helge Andersen. Eleni Kolokythias calls him "our Helge". A Norwegian tourist has been coming back to Chios for two weeks during the past 11 years. "I love Karfa Beach and the people," she said.

My grandmother, Despina Gagas Pappas (Pappantonakis), lived in Chios during her youth. She was part of the first refugee expulsion of 1914 from the prefecture of Tseme and the town of Kato Panagia. Our homes in Astoria and Bayside were filled with folk and religious artwork from St. Constantine and Helen in Cambos, Chios. Visiting the island was returning home to me. Chios Tours made this possible.

Instead of returning toAthens, I had a a twod visit to Samos, personally arranged by Kolokythias and Samata. They selected Samos City Hotel, overlooking the seashore. They called me on my cellphone during excursions to see if I was satisfied. In Athens, they e-mailed me to find out my impressions of Samos. This unique service represents the image of Greece 2007. Visit www.chiostours.gr/tours.htm.