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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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