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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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The
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.
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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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The 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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