Rhodes
Rhodes is known to be the island of the Knights of S. John, and its medieval town is the biggest and best preserved fortified ancient city of Europe, under protection as a UNESCO World Heritage. The island has an interesting cultural mix, because of the crusaders, Ottomans and later Italians who ruled all the Dodecanese Archipelago. At the highest point of the old City stands the Palace of the Grand Masters, which was built on the foundations of Temple of Sun God (Helios) in the 14th century by the knights. Now it serves as a history museum. Colossus of Rhodes, a 30 meter long giant statue of the Helios, adorned the entrance of the ancient Mandraki Port in the 3rd century BC. Until being destroyed by an earthquake, it was among the Seven Wonders of the World. The Old City is another world in itself, with its cobbled streets, hammams and the Turkish quarter. If you'd like enjoy a smaller but lively place, you should head to Lindos though. This old fishermen's hamlet is perhaps the loveliest and most lively town of the island, with its restored captains' houses, bars and nightlife. It also has an impressive Acropolis overlooking the town from a cliff-top. There are two temples dedicated to Apollo and Athena here that are lightened up at night, offering amazing views. While you are in Lindos, visiting St. Paul's (Agios Pavlos) Bay is here is a must. This is a spectacular sandy beach with a tiny seaside church, which is popular for sunset weddings. Faliraki is another organized and long sandy beach of the island. Famous Anthony Quinn Bay is just nearby. Anthony Quinn is known to make Crete famous by his film “Zorba the Greek”, but did you know that he also made Rhodes popular by “The Guns of Navarone”? This isolated tiny bay he bought on Rhodes is still one of the most popular beaches of the island. Kalithea Springs that have been used since the Roman times also worth a visit. The water coming out of the rocks on the beach here fills in the pools, where people usually get one-week long treatments. Elli Beach, on the other hand, is the beach to the Old Town. This long coast is mostly windy, with an aquarium to visit.
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Aquagrand Hotel, Lindos
A highly romantic hotel with an elegant decor, offering turquoise waters a few kilometers from Lindos town.
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Casa Cook Rhodes, Kolympia
In a quiet setting surrounded by cliffs, this hotel offers a nice pool and a kitchen club with beautiful tiles.
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Marco Polo Mansion
A boutique hotel hidden in the narrow side streets of the Old Town, with its 10 stylish rooms, courtyard and great restaurant.
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Melenos Lindos
Offering a marvelous restaurant under the ikat designed tents, spacious rooms and infinite sea views. Mediterranean food served at a very particular atmosphere.
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Ambroisa, Lindos
An elegant fine dining restaurant located in a patio hidden in the winding alleys of Lindos.
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Mavrikos, Lindos
An easy, centrally located restaurant in Lindos, serving seafood, meat dishes and of course, mezzes!
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Ronda, Old Town
Besides its summer place on Elli Beach, it also has a winter hall in a round shaped historical building. Ambiance, music and sushis are superb!
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Ta Petaladika, Old Town
A restaurant on a square where once horse shoes used to be nailed. They serve great scallops.
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Kastellorizo
Just vis-a-vis Kaş on the Turkish coast, this small Greek island is the farthest one in the southeastern Aegean. Its small harbour is surrounded by taverns. To enjoy its crystal clear waters, one should visit The Blue Cave and Saint George Beach, which is a rocky bay with a small chapel. Kaş Ataturk Statue, a hellenistic theater and Palaiokastro Fortress are among the other attractions.
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Mandraki Paradise
Rooms and suites located in 2 storey houses, right on the seaside in Mandraki Bay, the secondary port of the island.
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Alexandra's
It's been a classical address for seafood for many years.
Symi
As the most beautiful one of the whole island group, Symi owes its charm to the neoclassical architecture Italians brought here a century ago. As you approach the island, the first glimpse of the pastel-colored houses lined up like an amphitheatre around the Gialos harbour will make you feel that you are at the right place! Art galleries, shops and taverns are concentrated around the harbour, while the old villages of Horio and Pedi are the other two settlements to visit in this barren island. Agios Georgios, Agia Marina and Pedi beaches are the best places to swim, surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape. At the southern tip of the island, Panormitis Bay is also a good spot for swimming and sightseeing with its old monastery.
Chalki & Tilos
Chalki is the smallest inhabited island of the archipelago. Only 75 minutes away from Rhodes by ferry, it is a center for hiking and sponge diving. Pandamos Beach is the right address for a swimming break, where Valantis and Black Sea are two nice restaurants serving the visitors. Tilos, on the other hand, is very green and unspoilt, right midway between Rhodes and Kos. Here, Restaurant Nautilos is notable for its seafood.
Nisyros
Located between Kos and Tilos, with an area of 42 square kilometers, Nisyros has been shaped by volcanic eruptions. The island we see today is actually the tip of an active volcano and one could easily visit its crater named “Stefanos” on foot. It is a geological wonder that is extremely interesting to visit, to feel the heat of the magma and the smell of sulphur. The picturesque hilltop village of Nikia, overlooking the crater, is also worth a visit with its lovely square ornamented with pebble mosaics. The village has a small museum about the volcano itself. Mandraki, the capital city and the main port of the island, on the other hand, is an ideal destination for calm vacations and relaxation. It has not been affected by mass tourism at all, and it offers few hotels, restaurants and shops. It has several seaside restaurants lined-up at the port area. The hilltop village of Emporio, on the other hand, provides a totally different atmosphere with its traditional houses renovated into small hotels.
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Melanopetra, Emporio
Two luxury apartments in a renovated historic stone villa, with a unique style and magnificent views.
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Romantzo, Mandraki
Rooms and a restaurant with seaviews at a stone building overlooking Mandraki port.
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Tzivaeri, Mandraki
Greek specialties concentrating on seafood with an Asian twist. Try their sushis.
Kos
Kos is known to be the homeland of Hippocrates, the Greek physician who is known to be the founding father of modern medicine at around 5th century BC. In ancient times, there was a big hospital here dedicated to Asklepios, the god of health, where mind and body treatments were held. At the center of Kos, you can still sip your coffee under “Tree of Hippocrates”, a millenial plane tree with a diameter of 12 meters, under which he is thought to have given seminars to his students. Today, Kos is well known as center of tourism, as well as organic agriculture. The 14th century Castle of the Chevalier attracts visitors with its strong fortifications. Perched on a hilltop, Zia town also worths a visit with its picturesque church, taverns and panoramic views. Therma Beach is an ideal spot to swim and have a bath in thermal springs fed by the hot water coming from the mountains. Kefalos is yet another popular beach, 40 kilometers from the Kos center, with many seaside facilities and taverns. Agios Stefanos, on the other hand, is special with the Islet Kastri just off the shore. This small rock island with its small picturesque church is a favourite swimming spot.
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Casa Cook Kos
One of the island's coolest hotels on a soft, white-sand beach close to the village of Marmari. Thanks to the personalized service, you won't feel there are 100 rooms in the property!
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Kalymnos
Once used to be the sponge divers' island, Kalymnos is still the number one global exporter of natural sea sponges. The island is a center of rock climbing too, where the steep rocky landscape offers about 2,500 well equipped climbing routes for all levels. Kalymnos Climbing Festival is also held every october, attracting enthusiasts from all around the world. The island has a very special atmosphere during the Easter as well, thanks to a traditional feast and the daylong “war” of fireworks! Vathi, a valley in a deep water inlet offers spectacular sunsets from a hilltop. Myrties town deserves to be visited for Masouri Beach, where you could swim and enjoy several taverns lined up along the coast. Just 1 km off Myrties town lies Telendos Island, which was split from the main island by an earthquake that occurred in the 6th century. This quiet and traffic free island is accessible by boat as well.
Leros
One hour's boat ride away from Bodrum, this small humble island is a good pitstop for daily visits, as well as short stays. The island's central town Platanos has a medieval castle that is lightened up spectacularly at night. The natural harbour of Lakki, which was used as an Italian base in the 1930s, today serves as the most developed marina of the Dodecanese archipalego with Art Deco style buildings immersed in pine trees. Panteli Bay is a popular corner of the island for small boats to moore, while Alinda Bay has several well-organized beaches. Gourna, on the other hand, is among the island's untouched sandy beaches with its shallow waters. The oldest village of the island is Agia Marina, with a nice hilltop location.
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Nefeli
Spacious rooms and smooth service.
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Ouzeri O Sotos
Simple place with the best seafood in the island. Try its sea urchin pasta!
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Lipsi
This small island located between Patmos and Leros is thought to be the place, where the nymph Calypso held Odysseus captive for seven years. It is hard not be charmed by the beauties of the island. A great basilica with mosaic floors and many other small churches are to be found here, since Christianity was spread on the island from its early days. The island is surrounded by over twenty smaller islets, that make the area a paradise for swimming and snorkeling addicts. Take a small boat trip to the nearby islands of Arkidi, Marathi and Makronisi to enjoy crystal clear waters and sea caves. It is very common to spot seals and turtles here and there as well. Katsadia Bay is the best place to moor, outside the main port. Dilaila Restaurant awaits sailors at this deserted cove as a shelter to relax and dine. Platis Gialos, Lientou, Hohlakoura and Kambos are the best beaches to be explored for an afternoon swim. Lipsi does not only depend on the sea for a living, but islanders also cultivate land. The island is rich in olive groves and vineyards. The locals are extremely loyal to their traditions and the Easter is celebrated with great joy here. The local flavors not to miss are fava meatballs, cheese pies and sweet wine.
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Nefeli, Kambos Bay
Definitely the best hosting experience on the island, with a sister hotel in Leros as well. The hotel offers elegant apartments with private verandas overlooking the quiet Kambos Bay.
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Dilalia, Katsadia Bay
Run by an islander, cooking here is done only with pure and fresh ingredients from the island, provided by the local farms and fishermen. The restaurant also has a stylish boutique, if you’d like to add a Greek touch to your summer wardrobe!
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Kairis Bakery, Lipsi Port
An authentic local bakery, where you should try the cheese pie and the local dessert called “pouggi”.
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Kiara, Lipsi Port
Kiara, a boutique run by an Italian lady, has been the favourite of Turkish tourists visiting Symi for years. Now that Symi is overcrowded, the owner has moved its venue to this little untouristy Lipsi town.
Patmos
The island is a famous Christian pilgrimage site, as St. John is believed to have written “The Book of Revelations” here, in the Cave of Apocalypse. The 11th century monastery overlooking the Chora, the historical hilltop center of the island, is worth to climb up. The terraces like Jimmy's Balcony offer spectacular sunsets over the archipelago, while art galleries, artisanal shops and taverns make here even more exceptional. Skala, the active port area, is also quite attractive with its shops and cafes. Grioka Beach is one of the best places for a stay and swim, 5 kilometers away from Skala.
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Benetos, Skala
An exclusive seaside restaurant by a talented local chef serving from farm to the table.
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Astypalea
This rocky island lies on the border of the Cyclades and Dodecanese. It has a 13th century medieval Venetian hilltop castle. The old windmills make this land look like more Cycladic and unexpectedly beautiful. Its seaside district of Chora is best enjoyed by getting lost in its winding alleys among white washed small houses and blue domed chapels. Start your walk from Pera Gialos, the picturesque port of Astypalea with a nice beach. Skala, where the marina is, hosts a nice archaeology museum too. Livadi is a small resort and a good swimming spot in the south of Chora; while Blue Limanaki and Plakes are other beaches to be enjoyed. Besides, there are several caves around the island to be explored on a private boat. While you are there, you should also taste the local cheese “chlori”.
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Akti
Overlooking the sea from a hill, this restaurant with an unusual architecture serves the best seafood and lobster.
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