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| The village of Finiki on Karpathos. |
Imagine a journey through the blue waters of the Aegean by boat. Our tour of the Aegean starts in Marmaris and the first stop is the island of Rhodes. From there, we head to Karpathos and Crete.
Island of the sun god: Rhodes
The ancient walled city of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage city by UNESCO. It was once home to one of the 7 wonders of the world: a bronze statue of Helios. The old city was built by the Knights of St. John. The 'Palace of the Grand Master' built in the 14th century and the Archeology Museum are worth seeing. 47km out of the old city, Lindos is a great place for a day break with its whitewashed houses, restaurants and glorious Pefki beach. Ialyssos, 10km from the old city, is also worth a trip for its interesting architecture. If you want to get off the beaten track, hire a car or motorbike and head to the southern shore?to the village of Monolithos in particular.
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| A typical street on a Greek island. |
Between Rhodes and Crete: Karpathos
Karpathos is 3 hours by ferry from Rhodes. Most of the settlements on this long island are in the north and south, so hire a car and head to the centre for some peace. Visit Olymbos in the north to see the villagers who still wear traditional costumes. In the south, Finiki is a fishing village where you can eat fish, go swimming or have a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset. The best beaches are at Lefkos, 15km from any settlement. The largest settlement is Pigadia where you can find many hotels, pensions, restaurants and bars. This is a good place to stay if you enjoy nightlife.
Olive oil heaven: Crete
Crete is another 6 hours by boat from Karpathos. The boat docks at Iraklio, the capital. There are hourly buses to Hania from here and the journey takes 3 hours. The road is lined with olive trees. Since the time of the Minoans to today, olive oil has been the mainstay of Cretan life. It produces the best olive oil in Greece, so make sure to buy some before you leave. Hania is Crete's former capital. Many Turks used to live here. The Venetians ran the city from the 13th to the 16th centuries, until the Turks took over. You can still feel the influence of Venetian, Turkish and Greek cultures. For lunch, head to the covered "Food Market" for an affordable meal. In the evening, have wine and meze at the tavernas in the old port. 1 hour from Hania is the Samaria Canyon, Europe's longest at 14km long. If you prefer to spend time by the sea, head to Elafonisi beach, famous for its small coves. Bring a blanket with you. It is safe enough to spend the night. From here, you can fly to Thessaloniki or Athens and return to Turkey. Or, if you've developed a taste for it, keep island hopping!
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| The town of Lindos on Rhodes. |
Island Guide
Best season
The best weather is in May-June or September-October.
Visa
Greek Consulate in Istanbul (Tel: 0212-245 05 96) Greek Consulate in Izmir (Tel: 0232-464 31 60) Greek Embassy in Ankara(Tel: 0312-436 88 60).
Telephone
Greece: 30. Rhodes: 22410. Karpathos: 22450. Crete: 28210
How to get there
There are two boats a day from Marmaris to Rhodes. Buy your tickets from Arya Tour or Yesil Marmaris travel agencies in Marmaris. The journey takes about 1 hour and costs about 35 USD. Arya Tour: Tel: 0252-413 43 58. Yeşil Marmaris Tourism: 0252-412 64 86. Marmaris Tourist Information: 0252-412 72 77. There are boats from Rhodes to Karpathos on Wednesday and Sunday. The 3-hour journey costs about 8 USD. There are boats on the same days from Karpathos to Crete. The journey takes about 6 hours and costs about 10 USD. There are many ferryboat operators in the Aegean. For example, see: www.agapitos-ferries.gr, www.anek.gr and www.minoan.gr
Where to stay
There are a huge number of hotels and accommodations. Here are a few options. See www.travelbagstour.com for more. Rhodes: Rodos Park Suites: Luxury hotel in the old city. Tel: +30 22410 89 700 www.rodospark.gr Hilton Rhodos Resort: 5 star hotel with all amenities. Located 4 km from the city. Tel: +30 22410 75 000. www.rhodes.hilton.com Karpathos: Mertonas Studio, Pigadıa. Clean and charming. Price: 25 USD for two. Tel: +30 22450-22622. Crete: Villa Polichna: Small houses in Hania. Tel: +30 28210 74191 ww.villa-polichna.gr Elounda Bay Palace: Luxury holiday village. www.eloundabay.gr
Where to eat
Rhodes: Taverna Kostas: The taverna at Pythagora 62 serves fantastic moussaka and Greek salad. To Limanaki: 30 year old venue serving fish, Greek fare and great wine. Tel: +30 22410 90829. Karpathos: Dimitrios Fisherman's Taverna: This taverna in Finiki serves wonderful fish and ouzo. Crete: The options are endless. All of them serve great fish, Greek food and meze. We recommend Galaxy, Kalamaki, Mylos and Panorama.
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* If you want to hire a car, make sure that your carry your international driver's licence with you. You can get one from Turing. Contact Turing for more information. Tel: 0212-282 81 40. * While in Karpathos, you must try the "Makarounes". The best place to get them is the 'Taverna Beautiful Karpathos' in the Pigadia Port. * If you have time, visit the legendary Minoan city of Knossos located 5 km from Iraklıo, the capital of Crete. * All three islands produce great, cheap wine. All brands are equally good. If you want to buy olive oil, your best option is Crete's "Diktynna" brand. * Colourful bottles of Ouzo make great gifts for friends back at home. * Be aware that banks in Greece are open from Monday-Thursday from 08.00-14.00 and on Friday from 08.00-13. 30. Most shops that cater to tourists are open from 09.00-22.00. |
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