Explore the Greek islands from Rhodes in 2 Weeks

The cruise welcomes its guests mid-afternoon but does not sail out of Rhodes harbor until the next day; dinner is served of course.Rhodes, with its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest of the Dodecanese and offers everything a tourist would want. There is a 200 kilometre coastline, a fascinating interior, good nightlife and plenty of history. It has been home to several ‘’civilisations’’ in its history and also to a former Ancient Wonder of the World though the Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake many centuries ago. The narrow streets of this walled Old Town can be crowded at times but worth visiting with the Palace of the Grand Master and the architecture of the Knights of St. John notable features.

Symi, off the Datca Peninsula of Turkey is another relaxing island. It is fairly small but offers plenty of chance to explore. The landscape is lovely and once back in Ano Symi there are bars and tavernas offering delicious Greek cuisine which you should try with the local wine. 

Mandraki, the main port of Nisiros is also among the largest settlements on the island. It is traditionally laid out with whitewashed houses, typical of many Greek islands. There are a number of historical sites around the village including the Paleokastro, an ancient fortress and the ruins of an ancient city dating back to the 4th century BC. After enjoying these sites, there is a good choice of tavernas and bars.

Klymnos is known for its lovely architecture as well as the tradition of sponge diving. Rock climbing has emerged as a popular activity for tourists who travel to Kalymnos purely to enjoy their hobby. Kalymnos Town is the main settlement on the island and few would argue about its beauty; brightly coloured walls, doors, shutters and balconies make the streets are great place to wander around.

Lipsi in the Dodecanese has yet to get much tourism, and what there is often comes from nearby Leros. The result is a real feel of Greece. It is a relaxing place, fairly quiet and with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Lipsi has some tavernas and shops but it is not really a place for stocking up.

Skala is the main town of Patmos island.  Built around the harbor, it grew rapidly in the 19th Century with wealthy families deciding to make it their home. Two landmarks to look out for while you are there are the ancient acropolis and the Church of Agia Paraskevi. 

The famous mathematician Pythagorus is remembered in this nice little village on the Island of Samos. The houses have worn well with the narrow streets, cafes and restaurants adding up to a village that rightly justifies the numbers of tourists that visit each year.

Agathonisi island is at the northern tip of the Dodecanese Group. It looks fairly bare, rocky with some bushes and olive trees. Fresh water is precious, collected in wells and transported over by boat. The island was at target for pirates so Megalo Chorio was built with that in mind and is not visible from the sea. It is not the best place to buy provisions and there are just a few tavernas.

Lakki is a large port on the Island of Leros. There is plenty of neo-classical architecture alongside the white-washed houses. Wide streets are lined with palm trees and restaurants and bars near the port offer tempting menus. While in Lakki, it is worth visiting the interesting war museum.

Pserimos lies between Kos and Kalymnos, just a few nautical miles north of Kos near to the Turkish Coast. It is small, only about 15sq kms and only 100 people live there full-time. Fishing is still important but increasingly tourism is a major contributor to the local economy. Visitors are often day trippers from Kos or Kalymnos. There are daily trips throughout the holiday season.  Pserimos provides a chance to get away from organized beaches for a day, something that yacht charters can do every day of course.  It can get busy but the beach is wide and deep, with plenty of sand and shallow warm waters. It is also a well sheltered spot.  Beachside tavernas and cafes provide plenty of refreshment opportunities for those at the beach for a few hours. The harbour is small but it provides berths for yachts. There is little in the way of attractions to see but there are some interesting walks along treeless trails to other small coves on the island.

The guests will leave the yacht with precious memories of the tour by 10:00 am after a hearty breakfast. If you haven't already been into the centre of Kos Town we would strongly recommend it. The imposing Castle of the Knights of Saint John, on the eastern side of the harbour, is well worth a visit. Alternatively the centre of the town is home to a huge range of restaurants, tavernas, cafes and shops. Those of you looking for a big last evening will find a wide range of bars and nightclubs to choose from.

Chalki is another place where peace and quiet is virtually guaranteed.  The beaches are great and some will be entirely deserted. There is one small settlement, a port with cafes and tavernas on the promenade.

Rhodes, with its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest of the Dodecanese and offers everything a tourist would want. There is a 200 kilometre coastline, a fascinating interior, good nightlife and plenty of history. It has been home to several ‘’civilisations’’ in its history and also to a former Ancient Wonder of the World though the Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake many centuries ago. The narrow streets of this walled Old Town can be crowded at times but worth visiting with the Palace of the Grand Master and the architecture of the Knights of St. John notable features.

The guests will leave the yacht with precious memories of the tour by 10:30am after a hearty breakfast. If you haven't already been into the centre of Rhodes Town we would strongly recommend it. The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes is abundant in beaches, wooded valleys and ancient history. Whether you seek the buzz of nightlife and beaches, diving in crystal-clear water or a culture-vulture journey through past civilisations, it’s all here.