Have you ever heard of Lemnos?

It's an island in the Aegean sea, are you familiar with it? Funnily enough, this question is not only meant for foreigners but for Greeks as well.

It turns out nobody knows enough about Lemnos, except for those who come from this island or have had to spend some time there at some point in their lives (that would mostly be people who work in the army, doctors and teachers).

For the newcomer, Lemnos sounds like a bore; a bare, yellow island with a lot of steep rocks and dark-skinned people who talk little and smile enigmatically. There's a rumor that the islanders more or less insidiously sabotage their own land against tourists and new inhabitants. I could find one very good reason for that: Lemnos is too good to be shared with others.

If I were to describe its form, I would say that it strongly reminds me of Dartmoor. A formidable sight of raw, rough, rugged beauty and a series of hidden natural-treasures that surprise the unwitting visitor. A harbour that is the biggest natural harbour in Europe, a sand-desert that is the biggest desert in Europe, the remains of a parliament that is the first ever in the whole world and was the place of "political" decision-making some 7.000 years ago. A number of temples and sights were some of the most popular parts of Greek mythology were born: the place where Jason and his crew spent some time while trying to get to Colchis to get the golden fleece, the land of the great and fearsome Amazons.

Lemnos's epic contributions to history didn't stop in the ancient time. It's the place were the allies gathered their forces during the first world war and is embellished by the heroic remains of British, Australian and other young soldiers, who gave their lives for the freedom of Europe. Lemnos holds them in its loving embrace, since their fate was to spend eternity thousands of miles away from their loved ones.

I need not speak of the crystal waters, the heaven-like beaches, the delicious fish and food in general, the wind-surfing and rowing clubs. All this is trivial and common. But Lemnos is so much more than the common, tourist-filled Aegean island and this you can feel the moment you step foot on it.

Beware, if you go once, you will return again and again!