Rhodes is the biggest island of the Dodecanese. It lies at the south-eastern corner of the Aegean, opposite the coast of Asia Minor, about 11 miles away. It has an area of 1398 square kilometres, being 79.7 km long and 38 km wide. The city of Rhodes is the capital of the Dodecanese Prefecture, a group of islands formerly known as the Southern Sporades. The name Dodecanese (Twelve Islands), although finally prevailing, does not correspond to the actual number of islands making up the Prefecture, there being many more than twelve. The medieval town of Rhodes, or the Old town as the locals call it, is a living monument. It is a well preserved centre where many Rhodians live and work. Various projects are currently being implemented and developed by the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Rhodes in aid of the restoration and improvement of the medieval town, which has been designated a world monument of architectural heritage by UNESCO.The fortress town was divided into two parts: The KOLLAKIO or KOLLAKO to the north, including the Street of Knights, leaders, the Palace of the Grand Master (Castello), the official churches of the Order, the Hospital (today’s museum), and other edifices. This area was separated from the rest of the town by inner fortifications, sections of which are still preserved. The BURGH or HORA to the south, with the old market (Socrates Street) and Turkish bazaar around Suleiman’s mosque, and other sites. Hora was the area for the bourgeois, and the Greeks, as well as other nationalities (Jewish, Turkish and others) each lived in their own districts. Dating from 1522 – the start of the Turkish occupation of Rhodes and their settlement within the fortress town – construction began on the newer districts beyond the walls, the so-called Marasia. These took their names from the major churches of the districts Ag. Anargyroi, Ag. Iannis, Ag. Anastasia, Metropolis, Ag. Giorgios Ano, Ag. Giorgios Kato or Kammenos (burned down), and Ag. Nikolaos. Greater Marasi, or Neohori, was developed by the Italians (1912-45) who also constructed the recent buildings of Mandraki city centre. They did not employ the island’s traditional style, but rather tried to echo the walls and fortifications, creating an architectural complex that impresses even now. These buildings included the Prefecture Administration building, the City Hall, the Port Authority, the Post Office, the Bank of Greece, the Aktaion, the New Market, the National Theatre, and the Hotel of the Roses, which now houses the Casino following its restoration (April, 1998). Adjacent to the Prefecture building is the Church of the Annunciation, modelled on the destroyed Knights’ church of Saint John. Opposite the National Theatre is the mosque of Murat-Reis. The visitor may see other buildings of the same period in the area of Neohori: the Teaching Academy of Rhodes, the Girls Orphanage, the Hospital, and others.
The prefecture of Rethymno is the most mountainous of the prefectures of Crete and extends to the west of Heraklion. Its characteristic feature is the location because it lies between the White Mountains and Psiloritis. The capital of the prefecture of Rethymnon is a very picturesque city, where you can admire the old harbor, Lodzia, the Venetian building of 16th century which was a place of political, financial forum and entertainment. An impressive building which is typical for the city of Rethimno is the Fortezza. It is a fortress built between 1571 – 1600 on Palaiokastro hill.Moreover, you should visit the Ottoman era, the mosque Nerantzes, the mosque of Kara Moussa Passa and Great Door of Veli Pasa. Walking the streets of old town, the visitor will see old and new buildings. Arriving in the new city you can see the variety of modern hotel units that make the stay of many visitors each year enjoyable. For beach lovers who do not have means of transport, sandy beach of Rethymno is ideal because it has a length of 12 kilometers, starting from the city and ends at Scaletta (area outside the city on the east side). There operate large hotels that emphasize in quality of service and everyone can find the accommodation of his choice. The part of the beach, located in the town attracts many visitors during the summer months and it has a large number of lifeguards. Also, at this beach one can deal with various activities like water sports.
Village Kipi or Mbagia in Zagori / Zagorochoria is abstains just 38 km from Ioannina city."Mpagia" is a Slavic word and means "bath". The village was called like that due to the impressive nature and the natural "pools" featured by the rivers around it.Mpagia or Kipi is the only village that is built amphitheatrically in a slope, So the travaller can admire all the region just with a glance.
Serres prefecture is historically rich, starting in mythological times. Through a course of many centuries, that count the following periods; Ancient, Hellenistic, Romaic, Byzantine, Turkish Domination, the Revolution of 1821, Macedonian War, Balkan Wars, World War I & II, Serres constitute the heart of economic, cultural, tourist development of our country, as well as the route of Greece to the northern and eastern countries of Europe.In the prefecture of Serres there are 350 cultural, educational, traditional - folklore, sport clubs with an important cultural presence and work. The railway station is picturesquely preserved to remind the older people of earlier times. It is a beautiful city that combines picturesqueness with the not so noisy surroundings of larger cities. The central square, "Eleftherias", with its fountain, the green, the sidewalks and the many cafes all around, is a meeting place for the inhabitants of Serres. The pride of the city are: the Acropolis (its highest point), the valley of Agioi Anargiroi, Agios Ioannis, the swimming pool, the sports facilities and many other places. The history of the city is many centuries old. It becomes known in history for the first time at the beginning of the 5th century BC and it is mentioned by Herodotus. The cultural life of the city is enriched by the District Public Theater, which offers classical and modern performances with the participation of well-known actors, thus satisfying the theater loving audience in the city of Serres. The nightlife of the city of Serres is quite rich. The young can entertain themselves in many nightclubs, discos, etc. The shopping area of the city is famous for its finely decorated and full shops. Many foreign tourists from the neighboring countries of Eastern Europe often visit Serres to do their shopping. Among the special things that one can buy in Serres is the famous all over Greece "akanes", a traditional kind of Turkish delight, which is made only in Serres since 1927.
Lesvos is beautiful. Olive tree covered hillsides reaching down to the sea and mountains thick with walnut, chestnut and cherry trees and lush ravines with plane trees and streams succeed the cool fragrant gardens of the villages of Gera. At the centre of the island, Ayiassos and the villages clustered around the slopes of the forested Olympos, the fresh crystal waters of the spring of Karyni and the old plane tree the folk artist Theophilos had made his home. To the west is the area of the Petrified Forest. The strong summer light creates a game of shadows enhancing the forms of a hilly landscape with gorges spotted with oleander and willows that roll down to small valleys by the sea. Around it all is the sea, embracing the island with the volcanic sand at Eressos and the soft dunes of Gavathas. Chroussos, Podaras, Pedino, Tavari, Kalo Limani, Yeni Limani, Tsichranta, Tsonia, Tarti, Ag. Ermogenis, Kaya all small beaches far from the crowd, with picturesque taverns by the sea where the visitor can rest and enjoy the island’s cooking. At the bay of Kalloni, Skala, Apothika, Achladeri, Skala Vasilikon, Nyphida, Parakoila, fishing villages with quiet little ports, warm waters, sandy beaches.At the north-eastern part Skala Sykamias, Eftalou, Molyvos, Petra, Anaxos. The changes in the landscape are astonishing.Secluded beaches and further down organized ones where one can rent equipment for all types of sport or umbrellas and deck chairs to just lie around in the sun doing nothing or go to bar or a kafeneion to enjoy cool drinks and music. From the EOT (Greek Tourist Organisation) beach in Mytilini to Thermi, Xambelia, Petalidi and the sandy beaches of the bay of Gera or the truly unique beach at Eressos and all round the island in general the visitor is sure to find what he desires. It is certain that throughout the year a tour around Lesvos by car, jeep, motorcycle, bicycle, donkey or on foot will delight everybody who is even slightly touched by the beauty of nature. One can walk everywhere around the island. Lesvos is ideal for walking. And for those who do not care about discovering the paths and the slopes of the island themselves four routes have been specifically marked out: Vatera - Gera winding through olive groves and woods with pines, oaks, chestnut and plane trees; Petra - Lapsarna along bays, creeks and promontories through olive groves and orchards; Kapi - Sykamia holm-oak, grey rock, olive trees, on the one hand the Bay of Kalloni and on the other Asia Minor; and finally Sigri - Eressos the severe volcanic landscape, rock, dust, sea and sky. The multifaceted landscape of Lesvos. For the summer months. Lesvos has a wide variety of great beaches to offer, open to the Aegean sea or protected in soft curve bays, sandy beaches, pebbly or rocky ones, isolated or organised. Many of the latter provide water sport facilities. In the recent years there has been a rise in activities such as sailing, surfing and scuba diving. During summer nights tavernas, lively bars with Greek and foreign dancing music, live groups and concerts or quiet corners by the sea can satisfy even the most demanding taste.
Orestiada is located in the northern part of Evros and is 977 km from Athens, 464 km from Thessaloniki and 115 km from Alexandroupolis. It has 14783 inhabitants, 41 villages and 25 communities. The entire city was built after 1923 in order to house Greek refugees from Adrianople, and in particular the suburb Karagats or Orestiada of the west bank of Evros river, which came to Turkey by the Treaty of Lausanne. For this reason it was originally named New Karagats or New Orestiada. It is a characteristic example of refugee settlement with a simple urban design and large vertical streets and squares. In 1923, the town became the seat of the homonymous province, in which incorporated villages which until then belonged administratively to Adrianople. In 1946, the community of Orestiada became a municipality and its population is growing until today. Evros River is the eastern boundary between Greece and Turkey. It comes from the Rila mountain in Bulgaria and flowing southeast tributary of the Thracian Sea. Entering Greece from Ormenio, a small part of it, and it is the natural border between Greece and Bulgaria. From New Vissa to its mouth, it is the border line between Greece and Turkey. Its total length is 530chlm., from which 230km. belong to Greek territory. It is one of the largest rivers of the Balkan peninsula. Its tributaries are Erythropotamos in Greece, Ardas in Greece and Bulgaria, Tountzas in Bulgaria and Turkey and Erginis in Turkey. The landscape of the river Evros from Dereio to the sea, presents a wide variety of habitats rich in flora and fauna. Notable are the forest Dadia - Lefkimi - Soufli, the canyons and forests in the areas Circe - Avantas - Aisymis, as well as the area of the river Ardas. In the area of the river, there are measured 36 protected or endangered species of mammals (including Vidra, jackal and wild cat), 10 species of birds (including the Black Stork, the Eagle and White-tailed) and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Didimoticho is a beautiful city, built at the confluence of Evros and Erythropotamos rivers. According to the prevailing scenario, "Didymoticho" means "didymariko castle", ie two opposite located fortified cities (Roman Plotinopoli on the hill of Saint Peter, and the Byzantine City on the hill Calais). The town has about 9000 inhabitants and is located 95km northeast of Alexandroupolis. The city has many major attractions worth to see a visitor, such as the fortified Byzantine city, the Church of St. Catherine, the remains of large Vyzantine building.
The seafaring town! A significant presence in the Aegean. Ermoupoli was born and forged in the flames of the National Revolution of 1821 from refugees who fled Chios, Psara, Kydonia, Kassos, etc., when extensive massacres were perpetrated by the Turks. The Aegean was shocked with the cries of uprooted people looking for a new home. And then, the best shelter was found. Syros! It was the ideal place.The island had nοt been touched by war. It was free and protected by a great European power, France. The first refugees were dirt poor and dressed in rags, but they were rich in experience and knowledge. Very soon, alreadγ ίn the years of Capodistria, the first Governor of Greece, the new town begins a peaceful and productive revolution that will lead it to prosperity. The town was dedicated to Hermes, the god of gainful commerce. Ιη the 19th century the town became the most important commercial and shipping centre of liberated Greece. "Ιn Ermoupolis, Greece was reborn..." Eleftherios Venizelos once said. The economic prosperity of Ermoupoli was accompanied by social evolution and cultural flowering. In the city of Kerdood and Scholarly Hermes as well, a genuine Greek urban class was created for the first time. It generated a lively social and literary activity. Cultural centres, theatres, concert halls, clubs, charitable institutions, printing shops, libraries and a particularly diverse press pushed Ermoupolis forward. The town's name went beyond the boundaries of the Aegean and was heard in the salons of Europe. The radiance of the city's wealth and spirit created the first tourist flow towards Greece.
Greece is one of the best and most attractive holiday destinations in Europe. You can choose for your holidays in Greece hotels, half board or All Inclusive or course breakfast. Important destinations for your holidays are the Greek islands and the rest of Greece.
On vacation in Greece to enjoy the beaches in Greece, which are among the cleanest in the Mediterranean sea, unique sites in Greece such as archaeological sites, museums, ancient theaters, monuments and monasteries.
Hotels, apartments, camping sites, zimmer, studios and other accommodations are available for your vacations in Greece. Greece is considered the Mediterranean one of the most chosen destinations for summer holidays in the Greek islands or mainland Greece. The service from the hotels and apartments, campsites and other accommodation throughout the country has improved significantly in recent years, tourists have many options with the best rates for your stay in Greece.
The Focus Greece Travel Guide allows you to explore accommodation Tourism in Greece and to see a 360-degree panoramas, ie interactive presentation of hotels in Greece. Find hotel deals at the best prices in luxury hotels and destinations as winter and summer destinations in Greece with many accommodation options.
Choose between summer and winter destinations in Greece as Halkidiki, Santorini, Mykonos, Tolo, Nafplion, Kyllini, Thassos, Zagoria, Tzoumerka, Kastoria, Vasilitsa, Kaimaktsalan, Palios Agios Athanasios, Lake Plastiras Pertouli, Kalambaka, Meteora, Florina, Grevena , Valia Kalda, Lake Kerkini, Parga, Sivota, Mani, Gytheion, Kythira, Milos, Paros, Syros, Skiathos, Pelion, Larisa and other destinations for your holidays in Greece.
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