Valley
of Butterflies: Can be found on the western side
of the island of Rhodes, approximately five kilometers
south east of the village of Theologos (or Tholos).
Acropolis
of Rhodes: The remains of the buildings on the
Acropolis date back to the 2nd century BC, but all has
not yet been excavated at the site. The Stadium, however,
has been fully excavated and restored. Also still to
be seen are the ruins of the Temple of Athena Polias
on the northern edge of the site; the Nymphaia, which
is made up of four cave-like constructions cut into
the rock, used for recreation and worship; a small restored
marble Odeon thought to have been used for musical events
or lectures; the Temple of Pythian Apollo; and the remains
of the Gymnasium.
Karpathos:
From Rhodes it is about a three hour ferry crossing
to the hospitable island of Karpathos, where the clock
has stood still in the delightful village of Olymbos
in the south. Here the locals go about their business
much as they did in Homer’s time, wearing their
traditional costumes and preserving their language and
culture with the aim of attracting tourists. They are
particularly proud of the unique houses, built of carved
stone and decorated inside with gorgeous embroidery
and other colourful folk art décor. Visitors
who happen to catch one in progress will usually receive
a warm invitation to join the festivities. Just four
nautical miles from Karpathos is the smaller island
of Kassos, linked by ferry, which has a small community
of fishermen living the way they have for centuries.
Rhodes:
One of the most southern islands in Greece and has a
milder climate than the Cyclades and the islands and
mainland to the north. Therefore Rhodes has always had
the longest season of any of the islands, lasting from
the beginning of April until the end of November. But
you could visit Rhodes from December until the end of
March and have a good time too. The city is large enough
so that it does not close down in the winter.
Did
You Know?... Rhodes is one of the most visited
Greek islands. The island is famous for its sun, sea
and sand: the ideal place for vacations. It is the third
largest Greek island and, officially, the sunniest place
in the Europe.
History:
Rhodes City is among the finest, not only in Greece
but in the whole of the Mediterranean. It is situated
at the island’s most northerly point and ringed
by sea on the east and west. Rhodes (Rodos in Greek)
combines the cosmopolitan character of a contemporary
city with the picturesque of the medieval town, which
gives the impression of having been untouched by the
passage of time.
Medieval
City: Rhodes City contains many sights worth
exploring. The medieval city is still very much alive.
6,000 people live and work in the same buildings in
which the Knights of St. John lived six centuries ago;
as a living monument to the past it must be nearly unique
in Europe, if not the world.
Temple
of Aphrodite: Dating from the 3rd century BC,
one of the few ancient remains to be found in the Old
Town. Behind the temple is the Inn of the Tongue of
Auvergue, built in 1507.
Trips:
Lindos is less than 50 kilometer from Rhodes City and
one of the the island's major tourist attractions. The
village has perfectly preserved its medieval character,
with pebble-covered streets and whitewashed houses built
on a slope just over the sea. The excavations of Old
Kamiros is well worth a visit.
Did
You Know?... It is said that St. Paul the Apostle
landed on Lindos when he came to the island of Rhodes;
accordingly, the tiny harbor on the other side of village
has been named Agios Pavlos.
The
Island Of Flowers: Visit Zakynthos in the spring
to see why it is ‘the island of flowers’,
or the volcanic Santorini, where the blackness of the
sand accentuates the brilliant whiteness of the villages.
The serenity of islands like Skópelos contrasts
with the hedonistic party islands such as Myknos and
Páros where the worship of Dionysus the god of
revelry continues to the beat of garage and house music.
Social Conventions:
Visitors to Greece
will find the Greeks to be well aware of a strong historical
and cultural heritage. Traditions and customs differ
throughout Greece, but overall a strong sense of unity
prevails. The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong traditional
influence on the Greek way of life, especially in more
rural areas. The throwing back of the head is a negative
gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited
on public transport and in public buildings.
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