The travel series “Wander Words…” on Voice of Greece continued its voyage with Prokopis Agelopoulos at the helm, taking listeners to the island of Samos.
We explored the island’s scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage, delving into its ancient history and archaeological treasures with archaeologist Maria Viglaki. The air was filled with the aromas and colors of Samos’ renowned sweet wines, as Margarita Ikariou, Head of Communications for the Samos Wine Cooperative, shared the legacy of this centuries-old tradition.
Sotiris Margioris, Artistic Director of the “Heraia–Pythagoreia” Festival, recounted the festival’s origins and reflected on one of the island’s defining moments: the repopulation of Samos after 1550 by Greek settlers from regions such as Euboea and Lesvos.
We wandered through Samos’ natural wonders—its majestic mountains, dense forests, charming mountain villages, and its beloved seaside destinations like Kokkari and Pythagoreio. With its lace-like coastline and beaches for every taste, the island revealed its many faces.
The episode closed with a moving conversation with Greek-American Argyris Chiou, who was born in Samos and later emigrated to the United States. Now a successful entrepreneur, he recalled the Samos of his childhood—the bustling tanneries of Karlovasi that once provided livelihoods to many families—and the island he rediscovered upon returning in the late 1980s.