We reached the city of Chios coming from Cesme late in the afternoon, and we drive towards Kambos to find "Citrus" estate.

We are driving through the maze of narrow winding alleys where there is nothings else but the endless stone enclosure walls of the estates. The main features of all these estates are the same. It’s the impressive gate leading to the grove, the well, the cistern, the enclosure walls and the large two-storey house of reddish Thymiana stone.
Each of these mansions has an imposing arched gate with the family’s coat of arms emblazoned in marble at the top . We really knew that behind all these walls there are huge orchards with citrus trees and flowers, but we had no idea what to really expect to see before entering the gate of Citrus.

The company is housed in an estate dated from 1742 and it is runned by Mr. Vagelis Xidas and his wife Kleri. The main courtyard is laid with flagstones and shaded by century-old trees, and to the left there stood the large mansion with this local reddish stone. The gardens are beautiful with jasmine bushes and plethora of colourful flowers that surround the whole yard. Behind the garden there is an old green horse-cart , and much behind there is another yard with century-old cypress trees and the imposing arched gate of the family’s coat of arms emblazoned in marble at the top. 

"CITRUS" activities include the cultivation of two other orchards in the area, the production of different kind of sweets in a home manufacture unit.
At the citrus shop, the guests coming here can attend the production of the sweets such as delights and marzipans with different citrus flavors . The list of products also includes conserves and marmelades with orange, tangerine, lemon flavours, Citrus delights, and Traditiona spoon sweets.
I have NEVER tasted similar marmelades in my life. Actually I am not a person who likes sweets, but after tasting some of the marmelades here, I have become fond of them. The tangerine marmelade is exceptional.


When you come to Citrus you have the opportunity to “walk” through the history of the citrus fruit of Kambos in the halls of Citrus Memories. A visitor has the opportunity to watch a twenty minute documentary with facts and testimonials and general information on the cluster consisting of orchards, citrus fruit, commerce and culture as they interweave in harmony at Kambos.
The moment we arrived, a coach with some 30 people arrived to see the estate and visit the museum. I followed along and watched the documentary which I found really interesting, and then we were urged to visit the museum .

The visitor here has the opportunity to see an array of farming tools and elements relating to the plant origins of the different varieties of the citrus fruit, and gives an introduction to the cultivation and harvesting of the crops.
Guests can have a look to some very old photos and images of the society and the people who have lived and still live among the marvelous orchards of Kambos. A voyage through the centuries with both good and bad moments which have marked the historical course not only of the area, but the island itself.

The 30 people left, and we had the pleasure to see Vangelis. He told us more about this beautiful paradise he has created, but as it was already dark we had him drive us to PERLEAS Mansion to spend the night there.




Website: http://www.citrus-chios.gr/contact.htm