The island of Rhodes is the fabled home of one of the seven wonders of the world (The Colossos) although its existance is as mystical as the island itself.
Part of the Dodecanese group of islands; Rhodes is the capital and the biggest of the group with a population of about 98.000 inhabitants. It is also the touristiest of all those islands, welcoming a great amount of package tour or individual tourists attracted by the high level of sunshine and the interminable sandy beaches of the island. But the beauties and attributes of Rhodes are not stopping here; the island still has unspoiled villages which have kept their authentic colours despite the high level of tourism, nesting in the foothills of the island's mountains.
Other beautiful villages such as Kamiros, Ialyssos and Lindos are testifying, with their fine architecture, about Rhodes's classical past. Another quality of Rhodes is its rich and varied landscape which is arid and rocky around the coastlines, creating impressive rocky formations, and verdant of lush forests in its interior. But the biggest asset of Rhodes is its capital (the City of Rhodes); it is a splendid medieval city, the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, and its fortifications are considered as the finest example of medieval architecture. There's also the wild side at Faliraki.
Population: 10.668.400 Languages: Greek 99% (official), English, French Currency: euro Currency code: EUR Local Times: Greece - Athens
Country Dialling Code: +30 Voltage: 220V 50Hz Electrical plugs:
Greece appeals to different types of tourist, and very few could fail to find somewhere to suit their taste. From bustling Athens to blindingly bright islands, ancient fragments abound - the belly button of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and even, quite possibly, the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini. Greeks are fierce guardians of tradition, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to have fun. In addition, hot sun and limpid seas conspire to make Greece a perfect place to relax. Whether you're supping in a beachside taverna , sipping coffee in a shady plateia or disco-dancing till dawn.
The Olympic Games were spawned in ancient classical Greece, along with democracy and the fundamentals of philosophy, science and mathematics. Modern Greece is better known as a great place to vacation rather than a centre of learning and culture. Today the country attracts by offering simple pleasures: delicious food at reasonable prices, local wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine, quaint villages, a seemingly endless lacework of coastline and little islands full of scenic surprises.
The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their stereotypical architecture and way of life despite being often over-run by tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, lined fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or dice. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides around narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historic harbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry or hydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities.
On the mainland the city of Athens in the south is sprawling, overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless enthralls visitors, while Thessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern with a Byzantine flavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon: the remains of other wonders of the ancient Greek classical world are to be found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Corinth, the gateway to a veritable treasure trove of history.
Greece and Greeks welcome with open arms the thousands of visitors that flock to admire their national assets every year - no-one leaves without having been warmed, both by the sun and the hospitality.
Much of the information contained within the travel guides and other sections on this website are subject to change at short notice and
travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with relevant authorities. Traveleye cannot be held responsible for any loss or
inconvenience as a result of information above.
