Kastelorizo Island, Greece

 


Situated in the azure waters of the southern Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Turkey, 72 miles east of Rhodes, beautiful Kastelorizo Island, Greece, is the smallest island in the Dodecanese chain. It offers the traveler delightful Anatolian architecture, panoramic views of the harbor, a rich culture, peaceful people and abundant relaxation.

The island was once called Megisti in times dating back to ancient inhabitants. The name means the largest, as it was the largest island among small rock-like formations surrounding it. Located just two miles off the coast of Lycia, now a village of Turkey, it has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was colonized by the Dorian Greeks and was ruled by Rhodes for many years, unill it broke away. The Egyptians, Italians and others all played a role in the history of the island. At the close of the 19th century, Kastelorizo had a flourishing trade, with ships trading goods from Anatolia with those of Egypt. Moreover, a population of 10,000 made their home in this safe harbor.
Harbour of city Kas (Kash) in Turkey and Greek island Kastelorizo
The Paris Peace Treaties in 1947 gave Kastelorizo to Greece; in recent years more and more tourists have come to explore the isolation, beauty and quiet ambiance. Kastelorizo was the setting for the movie Mediterraneo by Gabriele Salvatores, which won an Oscar and made it a more popular tourist destination.

With a rich history and tradition of the various cultures that have marked its civilizations, Kastelorizo Island offers the visitor an array of museums and sites. The Castle of the Knights is one place to see; it dates back to the 14th century; Palaiokastro is the oldest site on the island and the location of neolithic tools, ruins of ancient buildings and more; located under the Castle is the Lycean tomb, found at the port entrance; moreover, visitors should not miss the archaeological Museum.


As far as natural geoglogical formations, travelers can enjoy an amazing site; it is the famous Aqua-colored Cave. Known also as the Parastas hole or Fokiali (from the word seals), its calm blue green waters provide panoramic views and a magical presence. Stalactites and numerous pigeons, as well as seals, welcome the traveler to this palace of nature, known for a fairy tale setting.

Buses, taxis, motorcycles, rental cars are all found here as well as small boats. Kastelorizo, a Greek paradise, will make you feel welcome.
Share

Dodecanese Islands, Greece


 

The Dodecanese Islands in Greece are a traveler’s paradise. There is a little of everything to be found there. History and archaeology go hand in hand in some of the marvelous digs. Stunning, out of the way places are yet to be discovered, and the sunniest beaches in the world are waiting.

Rhodes

Located in the crossroads of numerous cultures, many different peoples have populated this island down through history. From the Phoenicians to the Ottoman Turks, and other nations in between, Rhodes has been involved in the history of Greece.Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes, Dodecanese Islands, Greece

Visit the military hospital of the Medieval City of Rhodes. It was founded during the Crusades. Note the strong fortifications that were constructed during that time. Then, the Ottoman Turks took over, and the city became a mix of architectural styles including the Jewish Museum.

Patmos

The Island of Patmos is best known for the cave where St. John the Apostle lived while he wrote the book of Revelation. Patmos is covered with monasteries and churches that all have histories to discover.

Patmos boasts a host of lovely beaches. Kambos Beach is a favorite place for families. The warm shallow water is perfect for the little ones, and there are restaurants, accommodations and water sports.

Kastelorizo

This is the island where people go for a non-crowded, laid back vacation. Access is limited; visitors arrive by boat or plane. World War II and earthquakes destroyed a number of ancient houses, but residents are motivated to rebuild them due to the growing number of visitors to the Island. There are not many great beaches, but the ones they do have boast almost perfectly clear water and good swimming.

The ruins of the ancient capital of Kastelorizo, Palaiokastro, are worth seeing. An early Doric fortress there has a third century inscription on a gate and an acropolis.

Kastelorizo also has some outstanding eateries where visitors can sample the local cuisine. You can find meat, fish and national meals.


Kos

Kos is second only to Rhodes for visitors and tourists. The third largest island of the Dodecanese, Kos is also one of the most fertile islands. From beaches to accommodations, and from restaurants to history, there are such a variety of things for visitors to see and do in Kos. Shopping is another attraction including many local crafts, honey and wine. Don’t leave the island without tasting their specialty, cheese baked with red wine.

Share

Euboea, Greece

Across the Euripus Strait from the Greek mainland lies the island of Euboea. Also known as Evia, this island is part of a great mountain chain forming the eastern border of Thessaly and extending beyond Euboea to form the neighboring islands of Mykonos, Tinos and Andros. Euboea has a rich, colorful history and today is a growing tourist destination.

View of a beach from above in Evia, Eboea, GreeceThe island was settled by Ionian Greeks from Attica, who established the island’s major cities, Eretria and Chalcis. These cities grew to prominence and became colonizing powers in their own right, establishing the colonies of Sicily, Cumae and Rhegium among others. Because of its wealth and strategic position, Euboea was a choice plum and much desired by the mainland Greeks. In the fourth and fifth century BC, both Eretria and Chalcis were defeated by Greeks who forcefully deported the residents and moved their own colonists onto the island. Throughout the Middle Ages the island was fought over and occupied by the Lombards, the Venetians and the Ottomans, finally becoming a part of the Greek state established by the Greek War of Independence in 1830.

Today Euboea is a perfect holiday destination for travelers because it has been largely undiscovered by tourists until recent years. Now the island is slowly coming to the attention of the world, but still remains relatively unspoiled. There are archaeological sites, excellent spas and beautiful beaches with good diving.

Ancient Chalcis, now spelled Khalkis, is still the principal city of the island, and attracts countless travelers. Visitors can see the ruins of the old walls in the Kastro, a Turkish district, as well as the fifth century church of Ayia Paraskevi and the ancient aqueduct. Just outside the city is the Kastelli, a 13th century Venetian castle from the island’s period of Latin domination. Moving out from the city, travelers can see the archaeological dig at Ramnous with its burial grounds, ruined fortress and sanctuaries. In the village of Ayia Thekla there is a 15th century church with exquisite frescoes.

Euboea has natural geothermal springs that have been praised for their therapeutic value since ancient times. Today visitors can have a luxurious spa experience at Loutra Adipsou or Kamena Vourla, a restful interlude in a tour of Euboea’s northern coastal region.

The natural scenery is a main attraction in Euboea. Hikers and divers can find countless little-known places of stunning beauty waiting to be explored.

>

Greece

Greece

Aegean Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Athens

Heraklion

Kavala

Larissa

Patras

Thessaloniki

 

Volos

 

Islands of Greece

Crete

Euboea

Lesbos

Rhodes

Santorini

 

Share

Aegean Sea


The Aegean Sea may hold more history and legend in its waters than any other body of water in the world. Located in the eastern Mediterranean, this is the sea upon which those thousand Greek ships sailed when they set out to sack Troy and rescue the lovely Helen. The Aegean is where western civilization was born; the Myceneans, the Minoans, and later, the more well-known states like Athens and Sparta lined its coast. Plato likened the situation to “frogs around a pond.”

A history lesson and a few thousand years’ worth of ancient ruins, however, are just a couple of the many reasons to visit the region. Located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, the Aegean enjoys a comfortable subtropical climate. This makes it an ideal destination for cruises and vacationers: summers are dry with warm to hot temperatures, and the winters are fairly mild with more rainfall. While other nations and states have shared the Aegean coast in the past, only Greece and Turkey border it nowadays.

Yachts in Aegean sea near Poros, GreeceThe Aegean Sea covers roughly 83,000 square miles, with the Black Sea feeding into its northeastern corner via the Dardanelles. On the western side is Greece and a strait that connects to the Ionian Sea, which lies between the Italian peninsula and the Dalmatian coast.

Hundreds of islands are to be found in the Aegean, both large and small. Most of them belong to Greece, but recent decades have seen some disputes with Turkey over the details. Despite a lack of technology, many ancient travelers found it easier to travel over the water than to navigate Greece’s rough land routes. An Aegean sailor was never very far from landfall. Crete, at the southern edge where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, is the largest of the Aegean islands. It is perhaps the most famous as well, but none of them are short on beauty.


However, the Aegean is not a place to go in search of a lush tropical paradise; it is generally too dry during the warmer parts of the year. Most of its islands are rather rugged, some are volcanic, and some are downright barren. The beaches, however, are excellent, as is the food. The pristine blue waters of this sea draw visitors from across Europe and the rest of the world. You’ll find the standard delicious Mediterranean fare here: lots of wine, olives, olive oil, and other Greek staples. Seafood, of course, is never in short supply. It’s as healthy as it is tasty.

>

Greece

Greece

Aegean Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Athens

Heraklion

Kavala

Larissa

Patras

Thessaloniki

 

Volos

 

Islands of Greece

Crete

Euboea

Lesbos

Rhodes

Santorini

 

Share

Athens, Greece


There are few cities in the world that can boast such as rich a culture and history as Athens. Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world and is often referred to as the Cradle of Western Civilization and the Birthplace of Democracy, due, in part, to a fierce commitment to education, culture and improving and evolving civilization. The city is named for Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Today, Athens is a modern city with advanced culture, technology, infrastructure and tourism all combined with the rich history and culture that has made Athens great for over 7,000 years.

Acropolis and the city of Athens, GreeceAthens is home to some of the most famous and remarkable architecture in the world. Buildings such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Herodes Atticus Theater and the Academy of Athens all stand as landmarks and architectural wonders in the city. The buildings and architectural features of the city are such a prominent part of Athens culture and history that the city makes a large number of taxi, bus and trolley tour services available to tourists on a daily basis. These tours have been greatly improved since 2004, when Athens was host to the Olympics. At the time, the city used much of the profits from hosting to improve the infrastructure and bring travel and tourism more up to date with modern transportation options.

Museums, of course, are an important part of a city with such a notable cultural and historical background. The city of Athens has no shortage of museums such as the Natural Archeological Museum, the largest archeological museum in the country or the Numismatic Museum, which contains a fantastic collection of both ancient and modern coins. Athens has long been home to amazing art and is particularly well known for its statues. The Byzantine and Christian Museum houses some of the most notable Byzantine art in the world while the Museum of Cycladic Art displays some of the statues for which Athens is famous in addition to a vast collection of art.


While certainly known for a rich historical significance, Athens also has a prominent scene of modern activities and attractions. There are shopping, entertainment, dining and nightlife opportunities a plenty in Athens. The city also offers a number of live theaters and cinemas for great entertainment. Perhaps most important to the local culture, is the dining and nightlife in Athens. Europeans are often known for their affinity for late nights and the culture in Athens readily reflects that. Athens is home to a vast array of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs to provide endless entertainment and excellent dining. The city of Athens has much to offer and is an excellent choice in tourist destinations.

>

Greece

Greece

Aegean Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Athens

Heraklion

Kavala

Larissa

Patras

Thessaloniki

 

Volos

 

Islands of Greece

Crete

Euboea

Lesbos

Rhodes

Santorini

 

Share

Rhodes, Greece


Situated in the Aegean Sea, closer to Asia Minor than the Grecian mainland, is the storied Island of Rhodes. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this spearhead shaped, tree covered island is a popular tourist destination because of its archaeological importance, numerous beaches, mild temperatures and three hundred plus days of sunshine each year.

Rhodes has had an important place in history since the Bronze Age including being mentioned in the writings of Homer. In 408 BCE, three cities combined to form the larger city of Rhodes. This port, on the northern end of the island is the site of the Colossus of Rhodes; this enormous bronze statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The island maintained a prominent place during Hellenistic times, the Roman Empire and was an early center of Christianity. Today, tourists view significant archaeological sites such as the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the castle of the Monolithos and the ancient city Kameiros.

St. Paul Bay, Rhodes, GreeceWhen the Knights of St. John ruled the island in the 14th century, they built a fortress, the Palace of the Grand Master. After the island was invaded by the Italians in 1912, the Palace was used as a holiday residence by King Emmanuelle III and Benito Mussolini. This imposing structure is now a major museum and tourist attraction.

Visitors to the island can relax on Anthony Quinn beach or discover why the west coast of Rhodes is one of the top wind surfing and kite boarding locations in the world. Eco-tourists can explore the endemic flora and fauna of the island’s mountainous interior and be awe-struck by the tiger moths in the “Valley of the Butterflies”. Visitors will bask in the romantic tranquility of the scenery surrounding Seven Springs as they swim in clear, fresh water lake. Vacationers can stroll the Street of Knights in Medieval Town, wander through the archaeological museum, take photos of picturesque Koskinou and enjoy the local culture of the towns and villages that teem with various shops and cafes.


Returned to Greece at the end of World War II, Rhodes boasts a wonderful blend of sunshine, clean waters, warm breezes and a distinctive Greek dialect. Whether you scuba dive to underwater treasure, relish the frescoes found in the Church of Panagia, or watch a sunset enhance the vivid red color of the hibiscus, a vacation on the island of Rhodes will surely please everyone.

>

Greece

Greece

Aegean Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Athens

Heraklion

Kavala

Larissa

Patras

Thessaloniki

 

Volos

 

Islands of Greece

Crete

Euboea

Lesbos

Rhodes

Santorini

 

Share

Greece


If you come to Greece expecting one thing, you are going to be surprised. From breathtaking vistas of the Acropolis in Greece’s ancient capital city Athens, to the beaches and quaint fishing villages of the Aegean and Ionian islands, to the Byzantine-influenced historic sites and hip, contemporary culture of Thessaloniki in the north, Greece is a land of enchanting diversity, with something for everyone, no matter what their interests or budget.

Greece is famous as the cradle of Western civilization. Following the successful defense of their homeland against the Persians at Marathon and Salamis in the 5th century BC, Athens rose as a superpower among Greek city-states, introducing a system of government called democracy that has become a prototype for governance in our modern world. During the so-called Classical Era, Greece produced cultural, philosophical, architectural and scientific achievements through the teachings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras and Hippocrates, and the dramas of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides, that continue to be relevant in the 21st century. Greece became the gateway for a thriving commercial culture that included the entire eastern Mediterranean as well as southwest Asia.

Beaches of Hydra Island, GreeceBut the Roman annexation of the free Greek city-states into their Empire presaged almost 2000 years of foreign subjugation, first by the Romans, than by the Byzantine Empire, and finally by the Ottoman Turks and the Italian city-states of Genoa and Venice. Greece did not achieve independence again until 1829. Greece was again invaded by a foreign power, Germany, once again during World War II.

Greek tourism began to flourish in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, Greece attracts close to 20 million visitors a year, most of them from other countries in the European Union.

Classical Greek culture, of course, is one of the very foundations of European civilization, and many travelers come to Greece to better acquaint themselves with it. The United Nations has included 17 Greek monuments on its list of World Heritage sites. Among them, of course, are Athens’ Acropolis with its quartet of ancient architectural masterpieces, The Parthenon, The Propylaea, The Erecchtheum and the Temple of Athena. The most perfectly preserved temple in all of Greece, however, is to be found in the wilder landscape south of Olympus, at the Temple of Apollo Epikourios on the slopes of Kotylion Mountain in Bassae.


Antiquities are not Greece’s only allure. Life on its many islands is famously relaxing and slow-paced. The most picturesque of the Greek isles? Santorini, where whitewashed villages nestle above dramatic volcanic cliffs overlooking the azure Aegean. Crete is Greece’s largest island, renowned as much for its splendid beaches and mountain climbing as it is for its archeological treasures. Mediterranean Corfu has more of a Riviera flavor; its sunny countryside abounds with lush vegetation, while its capital, Corfu City, is filled with Byzantine churches, French facades and sunny, Italian-style piazzas.

One of Greece’s most recently discovered tourist attractions is Chalkidiki in northern Greece where sun, sea and golden-sand beaches compete with Paleolithic site and medieval monasteries as must-see attractions.

Greece

Greece

Aegean Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Athens

Heraklion

Kavala

Larissa

Patras

Thessaloniki

Volos

Islands of Greece

Crete

Euboea

Lesvos

Patmos

Rhodes

Santorini

Share