When you arrive on Rhodes, you don’t set out immediately, you have a day to relax and prepare. This is also the time the captain and crew get acquainted with you and any last requests can be provisioned for before setting sail on the next days morning. This is the time you also have to walk around Rhodes and enjoy this UNESCO world heritage site with over three thousand years of history reaching back to the time of legends and ancient Greek gods. This is the island of the famous Colossus of Rhodes, long gone due to an earthquake many centuries ago. Take your time and visit the Palace of the Grand Master and the architecture of the Knights of St. John notable features.
The cruise welcomes its guests mid-afternoon but does not sail out of Rhodes harbor until the next day; dinner is served of course.Rhodes, with its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest of the Dodecanese and offers everything a tourist would want. There is a 200 kilometre coastline, a fascinating interior, good nightlife and plenty of history. It has been home to several ‘’civilisations’’ in its history and also to a former Ancient Wonder of the World though the Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake many centuries ago. The narrow streets of this walled Old Town can be crowded at times but worth visiting with the Palace of the Grand Master and the architecture of the Knights of St. John notable features.
Our next destination is the charming bay of Nanou in Symi Island where the boat will anchor for lunch and a swimming break. We will anchor at Symi Port late in the afternoon. You can see the shoreline with its neo-classical houses and the peripheral districts. You are going to adore Symi Island for its pine and oak forests and unique bays.
Symi, off the Datca Peninsula of Turkey is another relaxing island. It is fairly small but offers plenty of chance to explore. The landscape is lovely and once back in Ano Symi there are bars and tavernas offering delicious Greek cuisine which you should try with the local wine.
When you arrive ay Nisiros island, you will be taken aback by the elegant scenery that the port of Mandraki gives as you enter its waters. The ancient fortress, Paleokastro is situated in the village and there are plenty of amazing white washed walled houses with winding alleyways and colorful flowers, doors and windows overlooking amazing taverna and bars. This is a great place to visit, and a must stop over for a days visit when sailing in the area.
Mandraki, the main port of Nisiros is also among the largest settlements on the island. It is traditionally laid out with whitewashed houses, typical of many Greek islands. There are a number of historical sites around the village including the Paleokastro, an ancient fortress and the ruins of an ancient city dating back to the 4th century BC. After enjoying these sites, there is a good choice of tavernas and bars.
Klymnos is a beautiful island and its main town, aptly named Klymnos town provides that amazing Aegean skyline of whitewashed walls, red roofs and clear blue skies. Add to this amazing vista the wonderful inhabitants and the many-colored shutters, and you have a photo shoot part excellence. The island is famous for its rock climbing and sponge diving activities.
Klymnos is known for its lovely architecture as well as the tradition of sponge diving. Rock climbing has emerged as a popular activity for tourists who travel to Kalymnos purely to enjoy their hobby. Kalymnos Town is the main settlement on the island and few would argue about its beauty; brightly coloured walls, doors, shutters and balconies make the streets are great place to wander around.
One of the lesser visited sites in the Dodecanese chain is Lipsi. This small island is next to the more popular Leros, but don’t overlook it. Lipsi has beautiful beaches and an even more inviting town, with wonderful taverna and shops to enjoy. If you want a quieter atmosphere, then this is the place to visit.
Lipsi in the Dodecanese has yet to get much tourism, and what there is often comes from nearby Leros. The result is a real feel of Greece. It is a relaxing place, fairly quiet and with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Lipsi has some tavernas and shops but it is not really a place for stocking up.
From here, sail to Patmos and dock in the main port of Skala. Patmos’ breathtaking scenery and special atmosphere have made it an ideal getaway for those seeking inspiration or a quiet retreat. The island is built around the important Monastery of St. John and its medieval fortress, which is visible from nearly everywhere on the island, and stands to overlook Chora as a reminder of Patmos’ historical and spiritual significance. St. John is said to have penned the Book of Revelations and the Apocalypse here on Patmos. The monastery houses some spectacular frescoes and a museum well worth visiting. The smaller monastery of the Apocalypse halfway down the hill from Chora grew up around the grotto where the Evangelist is said to have heard the voice of God.Although Patmos is traditionally a place of spiritual pilgrimage, it is has diversified somewhat, and you’ll also find there great designer boutiques, Greek-style local cuisine, cafes with spectacular views, and what’s more after dinner the island certainly doesn’t just sleep and there is a lively buzz into the early hours.The International Film Festival of Patmos takes place this year from July 21– 27 and the Patmos Festival of Religious Music happen late August - early September.
Skala is the main town of Patmos island. Built around the harbor, it grew rapidly in the 19th Century with wealthy families deciding to make it their home. Two landmarks to look out for while you are there are the ancient acropolis and the Church of Agia Paraskevi.
Around 8 kilometers from Patmos lie the islands of Arki and Marathi. They are the main island stops for day trip tourism, so they are always filled with visitors and many yachts dot the bay. The taverna provide fresh seafood caught early morning and the main bay is a great shelter on windy days.
When visiting the island of Samos you must take the time to visit the little town where Pythagorus lived, and died. This lovely town has all the wonderful small winding street, cafes and taverna as well as souvenir shops that attract visitors from around the world.
The famous mathematician Pythagorus is remembered in this nice little village on the Island of Samos. The houses have worn well with the narrow streets, cafes and restaurants adding up to a village that rightly justifies the numbers of tourists that visit each year.
At the northern tip of the Dodecanese island chain lies Agathonisi island. This was a pirate plunder paradise, so the inhabitants decided to build their city inland, and Megalo Chorio is not seen from the sea. The island itself is sparse with rocky surface, occasional olive trees and is not a place to stock up on supplies. It does have a few nice taverna, so if you are in need of land, this is a simple stop.
Agathonisi island is at the northern tip of the Dodecanese Group. It looks fairly bare, rocky with some bushes and olive trees. Fresh water is precious, collected in wells and transported over by boat. The island was at target for pirates so Megalo Chorio was built with that in mind and is not visible from the sea. It is not the best place to buy provisions and there are just a few tavernas.
The large port town of Lakki on Leros islands beckons you with its white washed houses and neo-classical architecture. The streets are wide and lined with palm trees, and the local restaurant, cafes and tavernas provide you with a plethora of cuisine, including famous local delicacies and international dishes.
Lakki is a large port on the Island of Leros. There is plenty of neo-classical architecture alongside the white-washed houses. Wide streets are lined with palm trees and restaurants and bars near the port offer tempting menus. While in Lakki, it is worth visiting the interesting war museum.
Pserimos is a small island with a population of 35 residents. This is a tourist island, and its closeness to Kos and Kalymnos attract visitors for its remoteness and the wonderful local cuisine and hospitality. Many a visitor falls in love with this wonderful isolated island.
As you sail north of Kos, you will encounter the gorgeous island of Pserimos. This is a small island, and only about 100 residents inhabit the island. The islanders main source of revenue is from fishing; however, tourism is on the rise. Most of the local tourism comes from day trippers out of Kos or Kalymnos and provides organized beach trips and parties. Since you are sailing in a yacht, you can enjoy visiting Pserimos any day of the week and join in on the local fun. The harbor has few berths, and the town offers lovely local dishes made from fresh produce and seafood. Apart from a short visit for beachside entertainment, a local dish in the port, you will find that the island also provides some secluded spots to anchor. There are plenty of taverna sotted along the coastline, so you will always find a place to visit no matter in which location you decide to anchor.
It’s a sad time to leave, and Kos makes it even harder, the beautiful ancient town with its legendary history make a perfect place to finish your wonderful voyage into the wonders of the Greek islands. If you didn’t get a chance to walk the streets and alleyways, we suggest you take some time before you dahs off home. Take a quiet stroll and visit the old plane tree where Hippocrates taught his students over 2,500 years ago. Then sit down to a wonderful local meal of fresh seafood and amazing wine in one of the wonderful and shaded taverna.
The guests will leave the yacht with precious memories of the tour by 10:00 am after a hearty breakfast. If you haven't already been into the centre of Kos Town we would strongly recommend it. The imposing Castle of the Knights of Saint John, on the eastern side of the harbour, is well worth a visit. Alternatively the centre of the town is home to a huge range of restaurants, tavernas, cafes and shops. Those of you looking for a big last evening will find a wide range of bars and nightclubs to choose from.
Another quiet spot to visit from the madding crowd is Chalki. So many tourists overlook this lovely island, and the beaches are mostly empty, the town has a port with a small promenade, and some local eateries which provide excelled local cuisine.
Chalki is another place where peace and quiet is virtually guaranteed. The beaches are great and some will be entirely deserted. There is one small settlement, a port with cafes and tavernas on the promenade.
Rhodes is a world-famous island, with its UNESCO world heritage town and is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. Rhodes has over 200 kilometers of coastline and is filled with everything an advanced society based on ancient heritage can provide. You have access to culture, architecture, history, religion, entertainment and of course, cuisine. Unfortunately, what you cannot get is a view of the colossus of Rhodes, this amazing feat of ancient sculpture was destroyed in an earthquake centuries ago, but there is plenty more to see around the old walled town.
Rhodes, with its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest of the Dodecanese and offers everything a tourist would want. There is a 200 kilometre coastline, a fascinating interior, good nightlife and plenty of history. It has been home to several ‘’civilisations’’ in its history and also to a former Ancient Wonder of the World though the Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake many centuries ago. The narrow streets of this walled Old Town can be crowded at times but worth visiting with the Palace of the Grand Master and the architecture of the Knights of St. John notable features.
When you arrive back at your starting point, the wonderful Island of Rhodes, don’t leave on the first day back. Take a day to enjoy this wonderful island, and especially the amazing city with wall its beautiful and ancient architecture built and rebuilt over millennia. The amazing cuisine is implemented by amazing views, wonderful beaches, glorious night life and exceptional atmosphere, only found in a place that has a culture older than religion.
The guests will leave the yacht with precious memories of the tour by 10:30am after a hearty breakfast. If you haven't already been into the centre of Rhodes Town we would strongly recommend it. The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes is abundant in beaches, wooded valleys and ancient history. Whether you seek the buzz of nightlife and beaches, diving in crystal-clear water or a culture-vulture journey through past civilisations, it’s all here.
8 Guests
5 Crew
12 Guests
4 Crew
