Island of Rhodes

Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Rhodes and transfer to your chosen accommodation, the 5-star Rhodes Bay Hotel on Ixia bay, or Rodos Park Suites & Spa in Rhodes Town, for seven nights.

Day 2 An afternoon walking tour of the medieval Old Town includes the 600m, cobbled Street of the Knights, running from the Knight’s Hospital square, and passing the carved stone portals of the seven Inns of Tongues, which note the seven countries from which the knights hailed. It ends at the Palace of the Grand Masters, a round-towered castle, now part-museum, its exhibits including frescoes and mosaics, rooms of 16^thcentury furniture, and an inner courtyard of Greek and Roman statuary. (B)

Day 3 A varied tour of the town’s surrounds takes us 2,300 years back in time to the Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith, its Hellenic remains including the Doric columns of the Temple of Athena and Zeus; the Commonwealth War Cemetery, with graves and memorials of World War ll allied forces; and the Art Deco enclave of Kallithea Springs, built in the early 1900s, on the site of 7^thcentury BC thermal baths, abandoned in 1945, and now superbly restored to its former glory. Return to Rhodes town for visits (on foot) to the 18^thcentury library of Ahmet Havuz, with Persian manuscripts chronicling the 1522 Siege of Rhodes; the Decorative Art Museum, where artefacts from the 17^th to 19^th centuries include costumes, wood carvings, and examples of Lindian tiles and plates; and the Byzantine Museum, housed in the old Knights’ Cathedral, with frescoes, tapestries and icons rescued from other early churches. (B)

Day 4 Drive through the hills to the church of Moni Filerimos, within a deserted monastery. Built in the 15^thcentury by the Knights of Saint John, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, its Passion of Christ pathway leads to a huge cross and panoramic views at the top of the hill. Continue to ancient Kameiros, the first city-state on the island, its ruins suggesting an advanced civilisation from the 7^thcentury BC; and view the nearby Kastello Kritinia, a 16^thcentury Crusader castle, dominating the headland and guarding the island.  At a traditional village in the area, enjoy a mezze lunch with local wine. (B, L)

Day 5 An afternoon tour to Lindos lets you walk in the legendary footsteps of Alexander the Great, Hercules, and Helen of Troy, as we visit the picturesque village and its 4^thcentury BC, clifftop Acropolis, its Propylaea a monumental staircase to a semi-circular Stoa and a wall with five doorways, its Doric temple of Athena Lindia among the most sacred sites of the ancient world, in perhaps the most beautiful setting overlooking the sea. (B)

Day 6 A fabulous full day tour sails to the neighbouring island of Symi, its picture-perfect main town backing the harbour with brightly painted neo-classical houses, and seducing travellers with its romantic charm and relaxing tempo. Visit the 18^thcentury Panormitis Monastery, with its toes in the Aegean and its back against pine-forested slopes. Dedicated to the Archangel Michael, the church has a feast of frescoes, while courtyards and buildings include a museum of ecclesiastical art and silver icons. (B)

Day 7 Enjoy a free day to relax on the beach, stroll along the waterfront, shop for locally crafted leather, jewellery, and studio ceramics, in the old town, new market, or Cyprus Square, or perhaps venture further afield with a boat trip or bus ride. (B)

Day 8 Transfer to Rhodes airport for the return flight to London Gatwick. (B)

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner