The
Dodecanese are located south of Samos, and Fourni, east
of the Cyclades, west of the coast of Asia Minor, and
north-east of Crete. It is an enchanted world where the
sun paints pictures and the sea gives life. The mild winters
and refreshing summers give the Dodecanese one of the
healthiest climates in the Mediterranean. The largest
island in the group is Rhodos, also known as the island
of the Sun. The capital, City of Rhodos is like a valuable
coin with two faces. One face, "heads", is the
old town, a fairy-tale place surrounded by medieval walls
and traversed by the Street of the Knights of St John.
On either side of the road is the old town with the 'Inns',
the Hospital of the Knights and the palace of the Grand
Master. The other face, "tails", is the modern
city with an intense nightlife, broad streets, beautiful
buildings, large hotels, and hundreds of shops where anything
can be found. The entire island is crammed with sights
worth seeing, from the archaeological sites to the fabulous
beaches, from the valley with the butterflies to the ruines
of ancient Rhodos, from the Acropolis of Lindos to the
archaeological sites at Kameiros (Kamiros) and Ialysos
(Ialissos). And naturally, the strong sunlight and the
beautiful sea are as present in Rhodes as they are throughout
the Dodecanese, as they are throughout Greece.
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Southeast
of Rhodos lies Megisti (Kastelorizo), whose capital
town of the same name is built amphitheatrically and
reaches right down to the waterfront. A small island
with important sights, such as the Blue Grotto, one
of the most gorgeously coloured caves in Greece, and
the cathedral of Saints Constantine and Heleni. |
Between
Leros and Ikaria is the "ascetic shape"
of Patmos, called the Jerusalem of the Aegean due
to overwhelming atmosphere of the island during the
great celebrations of Christianity. Here, in one of
Patmo's many caves, St. John the Theologian had a
vision of the Apocalypse. An imposing monastery devoted
to the saint dominates the heights above the picturesque
houses and mansions which appear to be 'hooked' to
the roots of the monastery. |
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The
image the visitor will keep from Patmos will be completed
by an excursion to its rocky coves and pleasant shores
before passing over to the nearby islets of Fourni, Lipsi,
and Agathonissi. Lipsi or Lipso is very attractive with
enchanting beaches and scenic fish tavernas offering local
wine. Leros is a hilly island with deep green coves, idyllic
valleys indented shores and the imposing Frankish Byzantine
castle over the Hora.
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Grey, gold, and green, framed by the blue of the sea
and the sky, are the colours composing the portrait
of Kalymnos. Naked rock, golden beaches, and verdant
valleys. The capital Pothia is built amphitheatrically
with multi-coloured geometrically shaped houses, churches,
and scenic roads. Beautiful areas with picturesque
villages, radioactive springs, and idyllic spots for
swimming, fishing, and relaxing holidays are everywhere.
Astypalea, small white houses with brightly painted
windows open to the sun, a row of windmills, caves
with stalactites and stalagmites at Vathi and Vetses.
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Kos
is a splash of deep green located between Kalymnos
and Nissiros. Among the thousands of impressive sights
are the Asklepeion, the houses dating from the Roman
era with the fabulous mosaics, the palace of the Knights
of St John, in the town of Kos, the early Christian
churches with their noteworthy frescos. The island
also has many villages famous for the charm, quiet
fishing villages, and beaches, ranging from empty
to full.The visitor will be impressed by the contrast
formed by the white houses on Nissiros's grey volcanic
soil, just before he ends up in one of the beautiful
fishing villages for some quiet sea and sun. |
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Tilos is fine sand beaches, untouched nature, medieval
castles and a respect for the island's traditions
You will know you are on Simi by the mountains and
small valleys, wonderful coves, strong sense of tradition,
and the monastery of the Archangel Michael with its
Byzantine frescos. |
West
of Rhodos lies a small mountainous island, Halki.
A thousand songs pay tribute to this quiet place that
is ideal for relaxing holidays.
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The
inhabitants of beautiful Karpathos are famous for
their strong sense of tradition and the island is
known for its scenic mountains in the north, as well
as for its lovely beaches with their charming fishing
villages.
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Regions
Of Greece:
Attica
and Saronica Islands
Cyclades
Dodecanissa
Crete
Peloponissa
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