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The
Dodecanese islands are located south of Samos and Fourni, east of
the Cyclades, east 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. |
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largest island in the group is Rhodes, also known as the island
of the Sun. The capital, the City of Rhodes, is like a valuable coin
with two faces. One face 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 is the modern city with intense nightlife, broad streets,
beautiful buildings, large hotels and hundreds of shops where anything
can be found. |
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The
entire island is crammed with sights worth visiting, from the archaeological
sites to the fabulous beaches, from the Valley of the Butterflies
to the ruins of ancient Rhodes, from the Acropolis of Lindos.
Naturally,
the strong sunlight and the beautiful sea are as present in Rhodes
as they are throughout the Dodecanese, as they are throughout Greece.
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| Southeast
of Rhodes lies Kasterlorizo, 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 Helena. |
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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 Patmos' 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 enhanced by an excursion
to its rocky coves and pleasant shores before passing over to the
nearby islets of Fourni, Lipsi and Agathonissi.
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| Lipsi
or Lipso is very attractive with enchanting beaches and traditional
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. |
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Grey,
gold and green, framed by the blue of the sea and the sky, are the
colours composing the portrait of Kalimnos: 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, thermal springs
and idyllic spots for swimming, fishing and relaxing holidays are
everywhere. |
| Astipalea:
Small white houses with brightly painted windows open to the sun,
a row of windmills, caves with stalactites and stalagmites at Vathi
and Vetses. |
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Kos
is a splash of deep green located between Kalimnos and Nissiros. Among
the thousands of impressive sights are the Asklepeion, the house 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 frescoes. The island also has many villages famous
for their charm, quiet fishing villages and beaches. |
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visitor will be impressed by the contrast formed by the white houses
on Nissiros' grey volcanic soil, just before he ends up in one of
the beautiful fishing villages for some quiet sea and sun.
Tilos
is fine sandy beaches, untouched nature, medieval castles and a respect
for the island's traditions. |
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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 frescoes.
West of
Rhodes lies a small mountainous island, Halki. A thousand songs pay
tribute to this quiet place that is ideal for relaxing holidays. |
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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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