A group of more than 12 small and large islands in the south-eastern Aegean Sea, each one being a wonderful holiday destination on its own. From the largest and best known as is Rhodes and Kos to the smaller ones like Astypalaia and Kastellorizo.

They all have a unique local colour that makes them stand out from Cyclades and other Aegean islands. Take Nisyros for example: it is considered the most mysterious of all the Dodecanese. Maybe it has to do with its volcano and the view from its massive 260m wide crater, giving an eerie feeling to the visitor. Or Patmos, “the holy island”, where the Gospel and the Book of Revelation by John the Theologian were written. Worth visiting are the monastery dedicated to St. John with a library full of rare manuscripts and the actual cave where St. John resided.

The Dodecanese were under Italian rule until 1948 along with Venetian and Turkish earlier. The influence of these cultures was very evident especially in the more popular islands such as Rhodes and Kos. Their architecture is a beautiful fusion of ancient Greece, the Renaissance and the Middle East. Astypalaia on the other hand being the jewel of the Mediterranean is famous for its impressive Venetian castle, built during the Middle Ages.

The flora of the Dodecanese is much richer than that of the Cyclades and offers great possibilities for tours to nature lovers. Especially Rhodes, besides its fame as one of Greece’s most popular cosmopolitan resort it has a truly remarkable, unique nature from one end of the island to the other. The same applies to Kos, the island of Hippocrates, the founder of medical science and a great connoisseur of the value of local plants and herbs to the treatment of any disease. And of course, each of the Dodecanese has many ancient buildings and important religious sites for the demanding travelers. Nightlife on the islands vary: some islands like Symi and Kalymnos are more quiet and low profile although equally beautiful, while Rhodes and Kos are ideal for socializing.

Standing on the edge of the Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese is a wonderful mix of ancient history, diverse cultures and modern hospitality ready to satisfy every need from relaxation and gastronomical pleasures to sightseeing and intense sports adventures.

• Take a break from the beautiful beaches of Rhodes and visit the «Butterfly Valley». A rare and spectacular site and a peaceful walk in the forest. If you are quiet and stand still for a few minutes, a butterfly might touch you!
• Visit the monastery of Taxiarchis Michael Panormitis in Symi and the beach of Ai-Giorgi, Dysalona where the classic film “The Guns of Navarone” was filmed.
• Step into the cave of Revelation in Patmos. A truly transcendental experience.
• Visit the picturesque village Olympos in the island of Karpathos. A storyline from another century with its residents wearing their traditional clothes every day. Part of an older era of Greece.
• Kastellorizo is just a few minutes away from Rhodes and worth visiting for is stunning local architecture and hospitable and cordial inhabitants. It is literally the last frontier of Greece.