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.
Kos is one of the most prominent Dodecanese islands, most probably only second to Rhodes. This is where Hippocrates taught in the Asklepion, the ancient Greek college that was set under a Plane tree that still stands in its place. Kos is steeped in history, and there are many archeological treats to find here, including Corinthian columns that line the roads, the Castle of the Knights of Saint John, and the famous Kos harbor. With all this magnificent history, it is not surprising to see how modern tourism fits in perfectly, with an international marina, lost of shops, tavernas and leading restaurants that offer local cuisine as well as international dishes.
Tilos Island offers you the lovely small ort of Livadia. Livadia is a town of around 300 residents that live of farming and tourism. What makes Tilos stand out is the number of churches, which is evidence to the importance of religion to its natives. The capital town of Megalo Chorio lies about seven kilometers from Livadia.
Livadia is a beautiful small port of just 300 inhabitants whose lives revolve around farming and tourism. Seven kilometers to the south east is Megalo Chorio, the capital of the Tilos. The number of churches on the Island is evidence of the importance of religion to Tilos.
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.
12 Guests
4 Crew
