Chios

This lesser-known isle sits happily in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea. Dotted with splashes of wild tulips and iconic mastic trees, the Aegean island of Chios is a beauty known for its black volcanic beaches. History buffs will enjoy the collection of rare murals and wooden carvings in the Chios Byzantine Museum, which is housed in an Ottoman mosque. Chios is most famous for its cultivation and production of mastic, an aromatic resin that comes from trees growing in the fertile Mastichochoria region of the island. Visit the town's central market where you can by "mastic"-based jams, sweets, brandies and of course, local delicious ouzo!