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The Dodecanese are
located south of Samos, and Fourni, east of the Cyclades, east 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 islands of the Dodecanese are engaged in a beauty contest, with no
clear winner.
The largest island in the group is Rhodes also
know as the island of the Sun. The capital, City
of Rhodes, 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 night-life, 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 ruins
of ancient Rhodes, from the Acropolis of Lindos to the archaeological sites
at Kameiros and Ialyssos. And naturally, the strong sunlight and the beautiful
sea are present in Rhodes as they are throughout the Dodecanese.
South-east of Rhodes lies Castelorizo,
whose capital town of the same name is built like an amphitheatre 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 Helena.
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 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 like an
amphitheatre 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 Vathy and Vatses.
Kos is a splash of deep green
located between Kalymnos and Nissyros. Among the thousands of
impressive sights are the Asclepieion, 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 Nissyros'
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 Symi 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 Rhodes 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.
The southernmost island, Kassos, closes this
brief tour of the Dodecanese. The capital of the island Fry, with its stone houses,
is built in Bouka bay. The picturesque villages of the island offer the Kassiot
fairs with their special local flavour. |
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