Capital of the Dodecanese,
the southernmost string of Greek islands, Rhodes is one of the Mediterranean’s
most popular destinations. In addition to endless sandy beaches, good
hiking, lively tavernas and GREAT nightlife, Rhodes stays warm well
into November, a boon for avoiding summer crowds. Indeed, spring and
fall are ideal for exploring Rhodes` rich collection of historic sites
and monuments, which bring Greek history alive in microcosm, from the
ruins of Classical temples to Crusader castles and towns and Ottoman
mosques.
The
city of Rhodes, today a busy cruise ship, yacht and ferry port, is a
14th century Crusader city that was largely restored by the Italians
between 1912 and 1943. One of the finest examples of Crusader military
architecture in the world, the town is a World Heritage Site. Indeed,
stepping through one of the 11 gates in the medieval Gothic walls, one
feels instantly transported to the days when towns were safe only behind
high walls towers and massive gates locked against marauders. Cobbled
streets and narrow alleys, thoroughfares of commerce now as then, present
a busy bazaar of small shops where traditional crafts, such as fine
lace and line, are still produced.
Mandraki
Harbor, linking old and new towns, is flanked by bronze statues of a
doe and a stag, where the Colossus of Rhodes was once believed to have
stood. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of
Rodos was a gigantic statue of Helios the sun god, erected in the harbor
in 293 BC to commemorate Rodos`10-year resistance to a Macedonian siege.
West
of town, the Acropolis of Rhodes (St. Stephen’ s hill) offers panoramic
views over town and coast. Named for an English admiral who kept watch
here for Napoleon`s fleet in 1802,it is also the site of a 3rd century
BC Hellenistic city, with a stadium, acropolis odeon and ruins of temples
to Apollo, Athena and Zeus.
Rhodes, being a
pioneer tourism destination in Greece and with the privilege of operating
two schools of tourism professions and one of official guides has been
distinguished in the quality of services rendered to tourists.
This
quality, as well as the island itself, with a variety of worth seeing
places, contributed to the development of alternative forms of tourism
and mainly that of conferences and incentives.
Every year Rhodes
holds successfully an all increasing number of conferences, among them
some very important ones, like the European Summit, the Meeting of West
European Union, XVI World Congress of the ISHR (2.500 participants),
etc
