Nowhere else on the island is the scenery more reminiscent of the middle ages than in the tiny village of Olympi, where many of the narrow windy streets aren't lit up at night, which helps create an eerie medieval feel. Make sure to check out the nearby caves as well.

Further inland, in the southern part of the island, lie the so-called masticochoria (mastic villages). These well-preserved, fortified villages date from the 14th-16th centuries and were centres for the cultivation of mastic. Mastic is the sweet-tasting gum of the lentisk bush, which was exported all over the Mediterranean – and the area still produces around 300 tonnes of mastic every year. The most picturesque villages are Pyrgi, with its houses decorated in black and white geometric patterns called xysta Mesta, where towers and walls surround a baffling labyrinth of village streets as well as Olympoi and Vessa are all a worth a visit.

This is a museum dedicated to the Atlanta-born author Margaret Mitchell. Her book "Gone with the Wind" written here and first published in 1936 is still considered one of the most successful books of all time. It earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 1937.

The Umgeni River Bird Park contains one of the world's most extensive collections of indigenous and exotic birds, all showcased in the park's multiple aviaries accessible to visitors. One of the indisputable highlights is the free-flight bird show held twice daily.