CITY TOUR HALF DAY

Start your tour with a drive to Mount Smith, once the Acropolis of Ancient Rhodes. From the tumbled massive pillars of the temple of Athena, the view encompasses the Temple of Apollo, the stadium of Diagoras and the port. ?

Enter the fortified city through the Amboise Gate and walk to the Palace of the Grand Masters. You'll tour the interior of the palace as your guide points out the 14th century beginnings of the Central Courtyard and chambers decoratively built with colonnades and early Christian mosaics. You will continue down the Street of the Knights, its paths paved with colorful marble and superb mosaics, past medieval towers and emblazoned facades?
You will have some time to do some shopping at the bazaar before returning to your hotel.?

Duration: Approximately 4 1/2 hours
 

LINDOS HALF DAY?
 

Rhodes is an island rich in history and legend as you will discover in this enchanting tour. After a 60-minute drive along the east coast, passing through rustic villages, vineyards and olive groves, you will reach Lindos. You will be captivated by the Acropolis crowning the 400-foot rocky cliff and the whitewashed town surrounded by the azure sea.?

There is a 20-minute climb through the narrow streets of the town, and up 250 steps to the Temple. Explore the ancient site of the last conquerors including the 4th century B.C. Doric temple of Athena and the double-winged portico. Other highlights include a Byzantine church and the remains of the castle citadel of the Knights of St. John. From the summit there are views of the fishing harbour of Psarto were tradition says St. Paul landed to evangelise the island. After the visit of Lindos we return back to our hotel.?

Duration: Approximately 4 1/2 hours

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EXCURSION DESCRIPTIONS

ISLAND TOUR

A perfect opportunity to see the Island with its interesting landscape and numerous villages.

We begin the tour with a drive along the West Coast of the Island bringing us to Mount Filerimos where we will visit the Acropolis of Ancient Ialyssos, our Lady?s Monastery and the remains of Athena?s Temple.?

Passing via the village of Soroni we will then visit the Ancient City of Kamiros, situated on a hillside, dotted with gleaming white marble.? It is here where centuries ago a brilliant civilization flourished.? Continuing we arrive at the village of Embona, Embona lies at the base of Mt. Attaviros the highest mountain on the island, it is here where we will have lunch.?? Next we arrive to the Village of Siana where a stop is made at a Byzantine church.? Continuing our drive we arrive at Monolithos, here we will stop to take photos of the Castle of Monolithos and the magnificent view that is visible from this point.? Emerging towards the inner part of the island you will notice the lush vegetation; we will make a stop at such an area called Profitis Ilias. After Profitis Ilias we will go to Foundoukli, here you will be able to see St Nikolas church built in the Byzantine era.?? Upon our return, we will cross to the East Side of the island passing several villages before reaching our hotel.

SYMI ISLAND

During the sail across the Aegean Sea, we pass very close to the Turkish coastline.? Symi is one of the most unspoiled of the Greek Islands. We arrive first to the West Coast port of Panormitis with its 12^th century monastery. We then continue and arrive at the small picturesque harbour with its dazzling multicolored houses, we are able to relax in one of the harbourside tavernas or explore the graphical island further. A lovely relaxing day out to a beautiful island.

 

FILERIMOS / BUTTERFLIES / KAMIROS

From Ixia it's a short but scenic drive to the hilltop monastery of Filerimos, built by the Byzantines in the 5th century AD on the ruins of ancient Ialyssos.? In front of the steps leading up to the monastery are the remains of a Greek temple, the cross- shaped baptistery of the first Christian basilica and the tiny underground chapel of St George, with, faded 15^th century wall paintings.? Roman Catholic as well as Greek Orthodox Christians worshipped the icon of the Virgin of Filerimos, in the hexagonal Church of the Knights, though at separate altars. To the rear of the monastery are the impressive remains of the Byzantine garrison.

Continuing we reach the Valley of the Butterflies which is one of the island?s best known beauty spots. A secluded narrow valley with a stream flowing down its centre, with lush vegetation and clouds of butterflies, which are to be seen from June to September.

Further along the north-western shore lies the third of the islands ancient city, Kamiros.

Kamiros was one of the three large Doric cities of the island, which, united with Ialyssos & Lindos in the 5^th Century BC to create the powerful city state of Rhodes. This ancient city of Rhodes contains the remains of an advanced civilization that is dated nearly 3,000 years old.?

This a documentary of Discovery Channel's about  Colossus of Rhodes Island.

 "Seven Wonders of Ancient Greece"