Cyclades & Dodecanese

Destination Info

PATMOS: “The Jerusalem of the Aegean” where St. John wrote the Revelation of Apocalypse. The emperor Alexios Komninos built a holy monastery in St.John's honour, which is the landmark of the island. The majestic fortress-monastery crowns the hills above the port. It is surrounded by dazzling white, cube like houses, which spill down its flanks. Sights: Monasteries with Byzantine icons, 9th century embroideries, rare old books.

LIPSI & AGATHONISI: A group of islands with beautiful sandy beaches and translucent waters. The hamlet on the natural harbour is composed of spotless white washed houses, tavernas, ouzeri and coffee houses.

LEROS: Rolling green hills, deep caves and pretty beaches between small fertile valleys with beautiful white housed villages. Sights: Remains of Byzantine castle.

KALYMNOS: Mountainous, with two fertile valleys, it is famous as the sponge diver's island. Blessed with natural attractions such as caves, lively beaches, unspoiled scenery, multicoloured houses, it still keeps up with tradition. Sights: Monasteries, Byzantine museum, churches, thermal springs and therapeutic bathing hotels. Shopping: Sponges Delicacies: Baklava, Galaktoboureko, syrupy pastries.

TENEDOS - PSERIMOS: Tiny islands with clear waters and pretty beaches, inhabited by fishermen. Shopping: Fresh fish

KOS: Hippocrates' birthplace, Kos combines an ancient atmosphere with modern life and is a wealthy island with ideal sandy beaches. Sights: Archaeological finds, Crusader and Byzantine castles, Museums. Shopping: Ceramics, antiquity effigies.

ASTIPALEA: A mountainous island, with an indented coastline concealing numerous delightful caves. It resembles two islands joined by a ribbon of land only 105m wide. The main village is built up the side of a steep hill and presided over by the massive, austere remains of a Venetian castle. A row of windmills and closely packed white cube houses follow the contours of the hill in an unbroken band down to the sea. Sights: Venetian castle, churches, windmills.

NISYROS: Volcanic, dark and picturesque, this island is contrasted by the whiteness of its houses and the bright colours of their doors and windows Charming villages perch on the crest of the hills above crystal waters and lovely beaches. Sights: Castles, churches and traditional houses.

TILOS: This small island captures the imagination of visitors because a prehistoric dwarf elephant once lived there. Beautiful beaches, monasteries and the ancient town within the capital will amaze visitors.

SYMI: Small green valleys punctuate the steep and rocky island with beaches indented by little coves. Cultural sights: Byzantine Monastery, museum, mansions, architecture.

HALKI: Has been a wealthy island since antiquity, judging from the coins found here. Visitors will be amazed by the stone houses built in tiers like an amphitheatre, the medieval castle occupying the site of the ancient acropolis and the wonderful beaches.

RHODES: Splendid beaches, varied vegetation, numerous cultural sites, and the largest medieval and ancient town make Rhodes undoubtedly the most attractive of the Dodecanese’s islands.
Sights: Castle of the Grant Masters, the Valley of the butterflies, temples, centuries-old houses, the famous town of Lindos.

MEGISTI & RO (KASTELORIZO): Inhabited since prehistoric times, Kastelorizo has areas where Dorian ruins can still be seen. Traditional colour and wonderful beaches abound on both islands. The island of Ro gained fame from the Lady of Ro, who raised the Greek flag every morning for 40 years until she passed away.

KARPATHOS: A mountainous island, with most settlements on the relatively flat south side. Modern architecture is combined with traditional style in both the exterior and interior of the houses. Villages that have been inhabited since the 10th century, help make citizens take pride in maintaining their traditions. The citizens still speak a dialect that contains several Dorian words and idioms. Sights: Ancient ruins.

KASSOS: A mountainous island with a steep rocky coastline and a few pleasant beaches. The island established its own merchant fleet and grew rich from trade in the 18th century. Sights: Churches, caves.