Monday 2 May 2011

Boat Trips In Rhodes

The island of Rhodes is surrounded by several islands such as Kastelorizo, Symi, Lipsi, Kalymnos, Tilos, and Karpathos. To get to those islands, you can go on boat or cruise trips which are available in four ports, i.e.: Central Port, Kolona Port, Akandia Port, and Kamiros Skala. There are chartered yachts, cruises, and boats to serve your trips around the Greek islands in Mediterranean Sea.

Kastelorizo is located at the most southeastern tip of the Greek territory where you can find archeological sites of Palaikastro (Old Castle) and Castro (Castle) in the center of Kastelorizo island, and stone-hewn tomb in the eastern area of Kastelorizo’s port. Diagoras Vessel will transfer you from Rhodes at 3.30 hours estimated time with the range ferry fare from € 20.50 (Economy Class) to € 61 (Luxury) per pax.

Symi lies on 23 miles away at the north of Rhodes town. This island is famous for its fisheries and wild herbs. The natural colored houses are lined along the coastal side, providing awesome sight when you are approaching the island on the running ferry. To get to Symi, you can go from Rhodes by ferry in about 1.40 hour duration and the fare price is € 7.80 (subsidized) to € 11.70.

Lipsi (or Leipsoi), is located on the southern part of Samos island, and northern part of Leros, famous for its thyme honey, dairy products, wine, grapes and cheese. From Rhodes, you can go there by Pride Dodekanisos speedboat with estimated time 4.30 hours and the boat fare is € 45 per pax.

Kalymnos is stretched between Kos and Leros islands, and facilitates the best diving spots in the world as well as enchanted caves around the island. Pride Dodekanisos speedboat and Diagoras Ferry will take your from Rhodes to Kalymnos by estimated time of trip 3 hours, and the boat fare is € 38 (Pride Dodekanisos), while for Diagoras ranges from € 20 (Economy Class) to € 66.50 (Luxury) per pax.

Tilos is famous for its mountain breathtaking view and wild plants that cater the contentment of addicted mountain climbers. Dodekanisos Express speedboat and Diagoras ferry will transfer you from Rhodes to Tilos with its estimated time of 2 hours. Dodekanisos Express speedboat fare is € 24.50 per pax, while for Diagoras ferry ranges from € 13 (Economy Class) to € 61 (Luxury) per pax.

Karpathos offers recommended spots for ancient structures and beautiful landscape for tourists. To get to this Island, you can go from Rhodes by taking F/B Prevelis Ferry with the ferry fares range from € 23 (Deck) to € 60 (Lux) per pax.

Faliraki One Of The Most Crowded Places with Tourists in Rhodes

Faliraki, known for its best resort, is a village 14 km away from Rhodes town situated on the northeastern coastal array of the Rhodes Island. The sunset view on Faliraki is breathtaking with its golden strikes shining on the Mediterranean Sea. The beach sand stretching 5 km along the coast provides a perfect spot for family recreation. Twelve Blue Flags of FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) fluttering around Faliraki for certifying the high quality of its marine, ecological information and education, as well as security, decorate the magnificence landscape to worth a visit. During summer especially in July and August, Faliraki will be packed by many tourists from around the world for its dry and hot weather. The friendly temperature and picturesque nature encapsulate Faliraki village as the top listed tourists’ destination along Mediterranean Sea.
Faliraki’s largest water park in Europe recommends interactive entertainments for family adventures including fun water slides, huge swimming pools, Aqua Gym, Lazy River, Pirates Ship, and a lot of games. To get to this park, the Water Park management has arranged transportation with daily operation by boat from Mandraki Harbor and a free transfer by bus from Rhodes Town. Faliraki’s night outs are also offering romantic rendezvous in restaurants with direct view of lovely blue water of Mediterranean Sea, and entertaining nightclubs with their contented atmosphere, as well as the great performance of traditional dances and Greek music which will create unforgettable moments throughout your stay period.
The hotels available in Faliraki bestow their guests with assorted pleasures during their visit, by providing best accommodation, serving mouthwatering Greek cuisines, complete hotel’s facilities, and affordable room rates. The hotels ranking as Deluxe are Paradise Royal Mare, and Rodos Palladium, for A-category hotels are Apollo Beach, Colossos Beach, Kresten Palace, and Blue Sea, whilst for C-category hotels are Dimitra, Matina, and Venezia. Faliraki also hosts several apartments and studios for their tourists, such as Anna Apartments, Castello Di Cavallieri, Colonial Apartments, Limanaki Apartments, Nostalgia Suites, Anika Studios, Apollonia Studios, Cannon Studios, Katina Studios, Paradise Studios, and Splash Studios.
So many restaurants and taverns scattered around Faliraki serve not only the tempted traditional Greek dishes, but also other cuisines such as Indian, European, Mexican, and Chinese for completing the various flavors of your own preference. The most favorable dishes in this island are dominated by fishes, seafood, and lamb meat mixed with its original ingredients creating unique taste and fulfilling your appetite.

Kameiros, Ancient City Ruins

Kameiros (Kamiros) constitutes one of three metropolis cities on the island of Rhodes, situated on its northwest coastal array, around 30km from Rhodes town, at the foothill of Mount Akramytis. This ancient city preserves numerous historical sites, which was sepulchered and discarded for centuries but then found in 1929. Kameiros established in 3rd Century BC was one of three biggest cities on the island, next to Lindos and Ialyssos. It has three stages which are hilltop, the central patio, and the lower patio. Acropolis is a Citadel or a city which was built on a higher ground bordered by peribolos. Its higher-ground establishment was intended for the defensive purposes.
The Athens Kameiras complex located at the Acropolis is surrounded by the Stoa consisted of Doric bars and rooms or shopping arcades at the back side. The central patio consisted of passages and houses were partially ruined by the earthquake when it hit the city in 226BC and 142BC. Apollo’s Doric temple, the assembly place (agora) as well as, an ancient court and several arches to worship numerous deities (or called “Peribolos of the Altars”) were found on the lower patio. The beauty of this city was uncovered by the Dorians and the excavation process was executed by two archeologists from Italy, Auguste Salzmann and Alfred Biliotti, from 1852 to 1864. Since then, this place is now famous for its archeological sites such as Acropolis, Mycenaean necropolis at Kalamvarda, Reservoir, Hellenistic Stoa, Ionic Naiskos Of Poros, Fountain House, Agora, Peribolos of the Altars, Hellenistic Altar, Hellenistic Temple, and hemispherical Dais.
If we want to spend several days in Kameiros, there are various accommodations scattered around on its landmark, such as Liros Pension, Kamiros Hotel – Rhodes town, Kamiros Rooms – Old town, Elafos Hotel, and Nautica Blue. Liros Pension began to run in 1997 with ten rooms available for the romantic escapee. It was surrounded by Sienna, Mandriko, Embona, and Monolithos villages. The vacation spots you can enjoy during your visit are forest-walk and the boat trip to the island of Halki. Kamiros Hotel is located in the Rhodes Town consisting of 48 rooms. Kamiros Rooms is good for back packing tourists. Elafos and Elfina hotels were constructed in the late thirties, and were under renovation in 2006. Nautica Blue is a five star hotel situated in Fanes Beach Rhodes. Those hotels have special exteriors and interiors which make the guests feeling comfortable, and would consider it as the best vacation they ever experienced.

Food You Can Eat While In Rhodes

Greek food has the typical characters of the cuisine from Italy, Turkey, Balkan states, and Bilad ash-Sham (or Levantine), with its dominant use of cheese, yoghurt, olive, zucchini and eggplant, as well as honey, nuts, and phyllo pastry. Cooking traditional Greek dishes usually take longer than any cuisines which are the secret key of their mouthwatering flavor, such as Spanakopita, Moussakas, and Bakaliaros. Their original ingredients are only found in Mediterranean countries though some have been exported to international markets. Due to this, if you want to find the best traditional Greek food, you should come there to enjoy its original taste.
The Greek dishes for appetizer usually consist of feta cheese, olive, and yoghurt. The most popular Greek appetizers are Kotosoupa Avgolemono (a sauce made of egg and lemon), feta cheese slice, zucchini strips, dakos (Greek bruschetta), tapenade (a mixture of kalamata/green olive, grated garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil), saganaki (fried dredged-Greek cheese), tzatziki (a mixture of cucumber, yoghurt, and minced garlic), and boiled shrimp dip in latholemono sauce.
For the main dishes, Greek food has various dishes such as Pasticcio (a mixture of baked pasta and meat), Moussakas (eggplant slices cooked in meat sauce and cheese), Arni me Patates (roasted lamb’s leg and potatoes), Souvlaki (skewered kebabs or satay), Spanakopita (spinach pie), and many more.
Greek side-dishes are also famous for their unique taste, such as Lahanika Yemista (assorted of veggies such as tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and peppers), Fassolakia Freska (casserole mixed of green beans, tomatoes, and assorted herbs), Bakaliaros me Skorthalia (salt cod), Gyro (meat slices roasted in rotisserie grill), and Horta Vrasta (boiled greens such as spinach or dandelions).
The last is the dessert. There are lots of popular Greek desserts that will compliment the whole courses, for instance Baklavas (baked phyllo mixed with nuts), Galaktoboureko (baked phyllo with egg custard and milk), Melomakarona (cookies made of honey, walnuts, cinnamon, and sesame seeds), Halvas (pudding made of honey, raisins and nuts), and Tsoureki (sweet egg-bread).
Meats used in Greek food are usually including lamb, pork, chickens, turkeys, rabbit and duck. Most fishes are imported nowadays due to the puny fisheries in Mediterranean Sea, yet seafood is dominant in many dishes. Grilling, frying by using olive oil and baking are the most common cooking methods for those Greek foods. Although some of the dishes need a very long time to cook and use a lot of cooking tools, the taste will pay off.

Saturday 30 April 2011

Rhodes Nightlife

Nightlife to some people is an important element to enjoy particularly during their holiday where they can relax, hang out with their friends; socialize with other people, or perhaps to seek new acquaintances, or any other reasons. Rhodes offers both day time and night time activities especially for its guests to make them feel at home. The beautiful scenery and warm ambiance are blended well in this island, so that more and more tourists come to visit and spend their holidays here. Locals and tourists are mutually intermingled creating the fun atmosphere and friendly environment.
Bars and Cafes that scattered around the beach and town central offering special delicacies and serving the best coffees in town are Barroquiso Cafe & Bar at Massari Village, Belon Cafe & Bistro Bar at Medieval Town, a coastal side café of Blue Onda at Zefyros, a coastal side café of Ice Lounge Martini & Sushi Bar at Rhodes city, Scarabee Lounge Cafe & Restaurant at Rhodes city, an outdoor pool café of Villa di Mare Beach & Pool Bar at Ixia, Paffuto Wine Music Bar at Medieval Town, Villa di Mare Café at Ixia, a coastal side of Puerto Beach Bar at Kalithea Beach, a yacht interior café of the Yachting Club Café at Mandraki, Fuego plus Music Bar at Medieval Town, L'aperitivo Cocktails & Dance Bar at Medieval Town, and an outdoor & indoor café of Yannis Bar at Lindos. The upcoming events in Rhodes are Party DJ Dimitris at Senso Bar, April 29 2011, and Ark of Rhodes Party at Senso Bar, April 28 2011.
For those who seek more energetic entertainments, they can come and enjoy the ambience in pubs and clubs available around Rhodes, which are CLO Bar & Club at Medieval Town, Esperinos Bar & Club at Maritsa Village, an outdoor club of Amphitheatre Boutique Club at Lindos, Angel Pure club at Medieval Town, Dome Club of Rodia Mare at Rodia Mare, Esperinos Bar & Club at Maritsa Village, Fygokentros Music Club at Maritsa Village, an outdoor club of Paradiso Beach at Kalithea Beach.
For romantic dinners, there are numbers of restaurants serving local cuisines such as Megaro restaurant at Medieval Town serving fresh fish from 10am up to 1am after midnight, Odyssia Greek Tavern at Maritsa Village offering traditional dishes of Greek and Mediterranean, Odyssia Restaurant at Lindos serving local and international cuisines from 12 noon to 1am after midnight, Roi Mat Club Restaurant at Ixia opens from 8pm until morning offers assorted cocktails, Sand Cocktails & Sushi Bar Restaurant opens from 8pm serving sushi and cocktails.

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Anthony Quinn Beach


Anthony Quinn was the top movie star who had starred numerous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, the Guns of Navarone, Viva Zapata, Lust for Life, and many more. He was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, on 21 April 1915, and died on 3 June 2001. In the Guns of Navarone Anthony played a role as Andrea Stavros, a Greek Colonel who his army was surrendered. Most of the movie productions were taken in the island of Rhodes. During this production, Anthony saw a beautiful secluded bay close to Faliraki village and he was enchanted. He then decided to buy that bay, and addressed the bay after his name. His property rights were revoked by the Government of Greece in 1984 upon a new amendment in the local regulation and law. It disappointed the actor despite of his love to Rhodes and his tremendous support in promoting this place; however the Greek Government has not fulfilled their promises to return his property rights even after the end of this actor’s life. The actor took an oath to never return to Rhodes or even mentioned about this place again. The Quinn’s family claimed that thanks to Anthony, Rhodes is widely known hence contributed a large sum of financial income to its local government and people. The case has not yet settled up to recently.
Its turquoise water and the coral beach with the marvelous underwater scenery make this bay the most visited place in the island of Rhodes. This bay is situated on the east coastal array of the island and a distance of 15 km from Rhodes town. During summer, this place is packed with tourists from all over the world to witness the beauty of this cove and enjoy its warm and shallow water. The gorgeous underwater scenery is perfect for snorkeling and diving. The lush trees embellished the hills surrounded the place add a significant value on it heavenly landscape. The glass-bottomed boat tour is provided for those who want to have a sight on its nature’s underneath the bay through the boat’s glass bottom. The pebbles scattered on the beach create decorative elements on its earth surface. Its calm surrounding, soft breeze of wind and a sight of boats circling in and out of this bay are a perfect romantic escapee for honeymooners as well as sunbathing. Here rare fishes are sometimes seen swimming in between the coral underneath the clear water. This place has least tourists after summer due to its cold climate and water.

Rhodes Beaches


Rhodes preserves heavenly beaches around the island. The clear water of Aegean Sea combines with the picturesque hills, unique landscape along its coast, beautiful sun, and friendly weather create Rhodes a sought paradise existing on earth. Some said that if you want to know what the heaven will look like after you die, then come to visit Rhodes. The enchanting beaches in Rhodes have been widely known through centuries, and hence the raison d'être why this island was being contested ages ago. Its nature’s beauty and wealth accommodate the largest financial source to its locals. This comes to a maximum extent after UNESCO appointed Rhodes as the World Heritage Preservation Site for the wide-ranging value of its historical monuments and remnants. This prompts an international recognition and consideration to witness this marvelous paradise on a visit or more.
There is an array of 42 beautiful beaches surrounding the island of Rhodes, but the top-ten list of most favorite beaches include Lindos Beaches, Faliraki, Prassonissi, Affandou, Ladiko Anthony Quinn, Ialissos, Lardos, Elli, Kallithea, and Akti Miaoulli. Lindos is adjacent to three popular beaches which are Lindos Beach Limanaki Agios Pavlos, Lindos Beach Palace, and Lindos Beach Megali Paralia. These three beaches provide crystal-blue water, golden sand, the sight of Lindos unique village and the Acropolis on the hill top. The small bay of St. Paul (Agios Pavlos) was the first Christianity base in Lindos when St. Paul landed and addressed his preaches here circa 43AD, and in the 13th Century the Knights of Rhodes built the Orthodox Chapel of St. Paul to accolade his exertion. This chapel is now popular for its wedding venue for both locals and guests who wish to get married there. Prassonissi consists of wide and long beach separating two turquoise coves, and is situated at the southern tip of this Rhodes Island. Due to its nature’s landscape, the wind blows barrier-less which is perfect for the wind-surf and kite-surf addicts particularly within July and August. Its sandy beach and shallow water present the comfortable swimming activities. Ladiko Anthony Quinn is a small cove surrounded by sea coral, lush vegetation and hills giving the impression of secluded paradise. Its crystal clear water and underwater scenery are perfect for snorkeling and diving especially during summer time for its sea water is warmer than any other seasons. The movie-star Anthony Quinn bought this cove when his movie "The Guns of Navarone" took its filming production in this location.

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Special Olympics Rhodes

The Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011 will be held from 20 June to 24 June 2011, and hosted by the Island of Rhodes before the Games are started in Athens. During their stay in Rhodes, the delegates from 185 countries will be entertained with the beautiful and magnificent ambiences of Rhodes, as well as to enjoy the artistic events, local cuisines and cultural experiences. Around ten thousands athletes, officials, and coaches will be hosted in thirty villages and islands in Rhodes. This program is supported by thirteen Greece regions for their accommodations and the host event.

Nearly 7.500 delegates will participate in 27 Olympic disciplines divided into venues as follows:

• OAKA (Athens Olympic Sports Complex) : Athletics, Swimming (Aquatics), Basketball, Powerlifting, Tennis, Volleyball
• Hellinikon Olympic Complex : Badminton, Handball, MATP (Motor Activity Training Program), Young Athletes, Cycling, Softball, Gymnastic Artistic, Gymnastic Rhythmic, Football 5-aside, Football 7-aside
• SEF (Peace and Friendship Stadium) : Beach Volleyball, Bocce, Roller Skating, Table Tennis
• Independent Venues : Bowling, Equestrian, Football 11-aside, Golf, Judo, Kayaking, Aquatics “Open Water Swimming”, Sailing, Athletics Marathon, Half Marathon, Unity Sports Event.
The schedule of the Olympic Sports will be opened on June 25, 2011, and the closing is on July 4, 2011. The opening and the closing will take place at Panathenaikon Stadium of Athens. The first game to be started on Day-1 (25 June) is Basketball at OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall. On Day-2 (26 June), the games to be initially played are Athletics at OAKA Olympic Stadium, Aquatics at the indoor pool of OAKA Olympic Aquatic Center, Basketball at OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall, Tennis at Olympic Tennis Center, Volleyball at G. Kasimatis Hall of Olympic Stadium, Badminton at Hellinikon Fencing Hall 1, Handball at Hellinikon Fencing Hall 2, Cycling at Hellinikon Olympic Softball Venue, Gymnastic Artistic at Hellinikon Olympic Indoor Hall, Football 5-aside at Hellinikon Olympic Hockey Venue, Football 7-aside at Hellinikon Olympic Baseball Venue, Bocce at SEF Sport Training Hall, Roller Skating at SEF Main hall, Table Tennis at SEF Sport Training Halls 2 and SEF Main Hall, Bowling at Blanos Sports Park-Spalta, and Football-11 aside at Ag. Kosmas Sports Center. The Powerlifting will be started on Day-3 (27 June) at OAKA Olympic Velodrome, Young Athletes on Day-8 (2 July) at Hellinikon Fencing Hall 2, MATP to be held on Day-9 (3 July) at Hellinikon Fencing Hall 2, Softball to be initially competed on Day-3 (27 June) at Hellinikon Olympic Softball Venue, Gymnastic Ryhthmic on Day 3 (27 June) at Hellinikon Olympic Indoor Hall, Gymnastic Rhythmic on Day-6 (30 June) at Hellinikon Olympic Indoor Hall, Beach Volleyball on Day-5 (29 June), Equestrian on Day-3 (27 June) at Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center, Golf on Day-3 (27 June) at Glyfada Golf Course, and Sailing Day-3 (27 June) at Sailing Academy Schinias as well as Judo at the American College of Greece, and Kayaking which are on the same date at Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Center. Athletics is performed on Day-9 (3 July), while Open Water Swimming will be performed on Day-7 (1 July).

Sunday 24 April 2011

Lindos


The Rhodes King of Tlepolemus and his Dorians founded Lindos in 10BC, located in the Dorian Hexapolis. This town was developed into a business central due to its geographical location between Greek and Phoenicians. Charis the Lindos, the Colossus of Rhodes’ architect was born here.  Upon the establishment of Rhodes, Lindos’ function was gradually neglected. The acropolis of Lindos was surrounded by the Athena Lindia’s temple which during the occupancy of The Knight of St. John, this temple was partially reconstructed into a colossal fortification in 14BC. After centuries, Lindos was submerged from earth surface, and it was only discovered after 19th Century by Denmark’s Carlsberg Institute. K.F. Kinch and Christian Blinkenberg who directed the excavation process founded the groundwork of Lindos’ constructions. Within the occupancy of Italians by the year of 1912 to 1945, the progression was continued but resulted significant damage to their historical value. The restoration of the remnants was executed, yet it did not make any substantial contribution. The core value of its historical constructions was diminished. Nowadays, the Greek Government under the Ministry of Culture has conducted the proper restoration and preservation to protect and maintain the valuable world heritage.
Since the end of Italians occupancy, Lindos has been famous for its archeological site, which lies on the east coast of the Rhodes Island about 55km from the Rhodes city. The ancient buildings visible these days include the Athena Lindia’s Doric Temple, the Propylaea’s Sanctuary, the Hellenistic stoa, the Rhodian battleship’s relief, the Hellenistic staircase, the temples of Roman, the acropolis of Lindos, St. John’s Castle, and St. John’s Church. Aside to those, the magnificent beaches in this region develop into one of the most popular tourists’ destination in the Mediterranean and Greece. The Lindos’ contemporary village provides interesting water activities, such as snorkeling, swimming, diving, cruising, and water skiing. During the night, the bars and cafes scattered around this village offer wide variety of cuisines and night entertainments. The room accommodation of Captain’s Houses or villas surrounded by wall proffer delicious cuisines and budgeted price to the tourists. Most of the villas are private property of musical artists and authors yet they are not openly published the ownership. The picturesque scenery around Lindos landscape is the added value for the tourists around the world. With the population of around a thousand people and the warm weather reflected to its locals, makes the journey worthwhile. The romanticism of this place is well-known for the wedding venue of its locals or a honeymoon escapee for people outside the country.

Medieval Town Of Rhodes


Upon the prolapsus of Jerusalem Kingdom in 1291, the Knights requested an asylum to the Cyprus Kingdom when Acre was in conquest of Muslim forces. Guillaume de Villaret, the Knights Hospitallers’ Grand Master, released an order to obtain a provisional domain in Rhodes. The Grand Master was substituted by Foulques de Villaret after Guillaume death in 1305. Foulques proceeded the order to occupy Rhodes and in 1309 Rhodes was defeated by the Knights which were later called “The Knights of Rhodes”. The initial occupancy of these Knights is then stated as the beginning of the medieval period in the town of Rhodes or called the Middle Ages period. The Knights of Rhodes reconstructed the town into European medieval landmarks. They established castles, monuments, and strong walls throughout the town which are still seen nowadays. The Rhodes suffered two attacks from the Egypt Sultan (1444) and Mehmed II (1480), but the Knights of Rhodes finally surrendered after they were defeated by Suleiman the Great’s army in 1522. The survival of the Knights retreated to Sicily and later shifted their base to Malta. Rhodes was then under the occupancy of the Turkish Empire for almost 4 centuries.

The constructions built during the Knights of Rhodes’ occupancy are stretched from the Medieval Town’s entrance walls, which is later called the Old Town. The European medieval architecture is strongly visible on the buildings, fountains, mosques, churches, even castles of the Knights of Rhodes, and the Grand Master’s Palace are restored and conserved until now. The building where the Knight of Saint John inhabited centuries ago still firmly stands is now called Saint John’s Church. The Auvergne’s Inn subsequently functioned as the Great Hospital was established circa 1440 to 1489, and nowadays this building is operated as a museum of archeological. After the occupancy of Suleiman that brought in Islamic influence, the Turkish Empire converted most of those buildings into Islamic places of worship in 1523, such as Suleiman’s Mosque, Djami of Demirli, Djami of Abdul Djelil, Djami of Peial ed Din, Mestchiti of Kavakli, and Mestchiti of Dolapli. More constructions were executed during their occupancy include the Archbishop's Palace, the Court of Commerce, the Hospice of Saint Catherine, and many more. As well as the restoration of Byzantine fortifications and the insertion of military posts by adding armaments weapons into the 12m thick and 4m high walls. The landmark in this Medieval Town of Rhodes delivers the exceptional and enchanting view, dense with its historical values.

Valley Of Butterflies

This valley is located near Theologos Village, close to the Kalopetra’s Monastery around 23km from the Rhodes city. It was used to call Pelekanos due to the Pelekanos River coursing through this valley. Alexandros Ypsilantis Prince took his daughter who suffered from tuberculosis to this valley for its suitable climate to recover her. The Prince was accompanied by his slave, namely Pelekanos. Upon their arrival at the place, the Prince asked the slave to attend and nurse his daughter during his absence. To his unbeknownst, his daughter was apparently falling in love with Pelekanos. Feeling offended, Pelekanos committed suicide and thus people named the place after this poor slave. According to the local people, in 1930 the Italians brought the butterflies to this area. Yet, some elders claimed that the butterflies’ presence was noticed long before the arrival of these Italians. The outbreak however, the large numbers of butterflies were discovered since 1957. Many tourists later flooded this area and caused significant decrease in butterflies’ population. The irresponsible acts of these tourists by whistling on them or making some noise or even clapping their hands inflict the sudden motion of these butterflies. This sudden motion leads to massive consumption of energy, which may result to its death.
Butterflies for many people are considered as beautiful flying insects. The colorful and delicate wings are the most interesting parts of their body. The beauty of their shapes and shades has inspired many artists, viewed on pictures, sketches, tattoos, drawings, and even buildings ornaments. The life cycle of butterfly has four stages, started from egg, caterpillar or larva, chrysalis or pupa, and the final form of butterfly or moth. The stage of butterfly’s eggs usually begins during winter and lingers for several weeks. The eggs hatch during spring where they emerge as larva or caterpillars, which will then turn themselves into chrysalis before they finally convert their shapes into adults called butterflies. This life cycle of butterflies is the main attraction in the Butterfly Valley of Rhodes Island. This valley has been butterflies’ habitat for centuries. Thousands of butterflies are founded here, especially during their reproduction period in August. They are mating in summer and after this mating process the males will die, and the females leave their eggs before they die too. By the end of May, the new butterflies surface and come into sight on this Butterfly Valley. This species of flying insect is not only common in this Rhodes Island but also in some other places such as the Sea of Mediterranean, Western Asia and Europe.

Thursday 21 April 2011

Coats of arms of Grand Masters Rhodes

1 Hιlion de Villeneuve (1319–46)

2 Juan Fernandez de Heredia (1376–96)

3 Philibert de Naillac (1396–1421)

4 Antonio Fluvian (1421–37)

5 Jean de Lastic (1437–54)

6 Jacques de Milly (1454–61)

7 Piero Raimundo Zacosta (1461–67)

8 Giovanni Battista Orsini (1467–76)

9 Pierre d’Aubusson (1476–1503)

10 Emery d’Amboise (1503–12)

11 Fabrizio del Carretto (1513–21).


The coats of arms are of much
help in dating certain sectors
of the fortifications.

Useful Contacts Rhodes Island

Emergency numbers:
· Police: 100
· Town of Rhodes Police: 22410 23849
· Tourist Police: 177
· Traffic Police: 22410 26480
·  Fire Department: 199
·  Port Police: 108

Hospitals:
· Euromedica: 22410 45000
· General Hospital: 22410  80000
Town halls:
· Rhodes: 22410 46200
· Attavyros: 22460 41266
· Archangelos: 22440 22337, 22440 22506
· Afantou: 22410 53223
· Ialysos: 22410 92698
· Kamiros: 22410 41474
· Lindos: 22440 31227
· Kalithea: 22410 87760-4
· South Rhodes: 22440 43243
· Petaloudes: 22410 91998
Transport:
Radio Taxi:
· Rhodes: 22410 64712, 22410 64756, 22410 64790
· Afantou: 22410 51777
· Archangelos: 22440 24111
· Gennadi: 22440 43313
· Ialysos: 22410 92515
· Kremasti: 22410 94528
· Lindos: 22440 31466
· Paradisi: 22410 81461
· Faliraki: 22410 85444
Bus service: 22410 24129

Archaeological Museum Of Rhodes

Rhodes Archaeological Museum is housed in the monumental edifice that was the hospital of St. John. Construction of it began in 1440 and brought to completion in the time of the Grand Master d'Abusson (1476-1503). The items on display in the Museum come from various Parts of Rhodes and the neighboring islands.

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Rhodes Accommodation

When it comes to matching stylish accommodation, vibrant nightlife and a rich heritage, the fabled island of Rhodes is the flagship destination of the Southern Greek islands. Renowned for its commercial and historical interest Rhodes complements relaxed living with a plethora of cultural atractions. Spoilt for choice wether your budget fits the remarkable 5 star Olympic Palace Resort Hotel or a quality All Inclusive village style family resort such as the Club Calimera Porto Angeli, Rhodes offers a wide range of accomodation choices fit for all

Colossus of Rhodes one of the seven Wonders of the ancient world

The Colossus once guarded the harbor to the island of Rhodes. It stood for nearly a century and was one of the ancient wonders of the world. At a 110 feet high was as high as the statue of Liberty, build over 2000 years later. The story of the colossus began in 305 bc when a powerful enemy fleet began a year long siege of the island of Rhodes. The attackers far outnumbered the small islands population but against all odds the island has defeated them. To celebrate their surprising victory, the rhodians decided to build a giant bronze statue of their sun god Helios. A local sculpture Chares of lindos was given the challenge of building a statue nearly twice as tall any ever built. Construction took twelve long years of hard labor and two hundred tons of bronze. Early representations of Colossus show the statue astride the harbor, as shown in the picture. Because a statue with this size had never been build before Chares at every stage of construction was taking a step further into the unknown. He decided to build a wooden frame over which he would hang beaten bronze panels. Starting at the feet and working upwards, the colossus was supported by a mount of earth, as it grew over 100 feet high. The island of Rhodes was known for its bronze work, which was a major export, but because the colossus was so large the entire casting bit could only make one small section at a time. Hundred of pieces where cast and carried up the growing mountain to be attached to the wooden frame work and stones where dropped down inside to give stability. Colossus stood tall for nearly 60 years but in 224 bc occurred one natural force that colossus could not withstand, a massive earthquake destroyed colossus laying his pieces to the ground. The people of Rhodes consulted an oracle which warned that the rebuilt of Colossus would bring them misfortune, so the giant statue layed in pieces for over a thousand years until finally the bronze was sold for scrap.