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Friday July 7
Cultural
Event: “Throne of Helios”
The “Throne of Helios” is a modern
entertainment center that combines cinema and a thematic area
with historical exhibits and screenings: 3D picture, sound,
motion, rain, snow, wind, fire and even smells, playing with the
senses and giving maximum entertainment.
It is a unique combination of
historical tradition and high technology, in the historic
building of the old cinema «St. George» on March 25 Street. This
was the first cinema in Rhodes built by the Italians in 1927.
Tickets: €15 (movie and
transportation)
Race of
Rhodes
Get into the chariot, gallop with your horses against the
Olympian gods, and feel the adrenaline as the victory is in your
hands while learning about the history of Rhodes.
Tickets: €5 (movie)
20:00: Pick up from Sheraton Hotel (approximately a 10 minute
drive).
The duration of the show is 20
minutes.
We will also tour of the historical
exhibition in the lobby. This covers the period from prehistoric
times to the 20th century. We will watch documentaries on
mythological and historical events.
Afterwards there will be free time
in Rhodes Town/Old Town.
23:30: Transfer back to Sheraton
Hotel.
Sunday July 9
Rhodes train
and Kallithea Springs
Filippos Filippou
10:30 – Pick
up from Sheraton Hotel (approximately 10 minutes drive).
11:00 – Rhodes Town Entertainment Train (Duration
40’-45’) which takes you on a 45minute tour by the walls of the
Old Town, climbs up to the citadel to Monte Smith and returns
via the city Center to Aquarium, ending at the Town Hall. The
train stops so there will be opportunities for selfies! The only
concern is the volume of the music playing between the recorded
information, if you are sensitive, consider bringing your ear
plugs.
11:45 – Departure to Kallithea Springs.Kallithea Springs
are located at the bay of Kallithea, just 9km from the City of
Rhodes. The thermal springs of Kallithea have been known since
antiquity for their healing waters. In 1927, upon the initiative
of the Italian commander of the Dodecanese islands, Mario Lago,
there started a systematic study of the waters of Kallithea, as
well as the construction of its facilities. The project was
awarded to the architect Petrio Lombardy and the designs were
considered among the best architectural compositions of that
era. The Kallithea Springs were very popular and remained in
operation until 1967.Refurbished and tastefully restored, since
July 1, 2007, the Kallithea Springs complex has been open once
again to the public, welcoming all visitors to the renovated,
majestic premises by the sea. The unique architecture and the
grandeur of the space, with pebble stone mosaics, Rotonta Hall,
Terrace, an impressive patio and the staircases at the entrance,
create a nostalgic cinematic backdrop. The picturesque beach
with crystal clear waters plays host to hundreds of visitors
daily, while its seabed known for its variety and beauty,
attracts many organised groups of divers to admire it. The
historic café at the picturesque harbour, which has been
completely renovated, welcomes visitors all day.
16:30 – Departure from Kallithea.
Monday July
10
Boat Trip to
Symi island
http://bareboatsailingholidays.com/
Symi is one of the
most beautiful islands of the Dodecanese group. It has not been
affected by mass tourism and still retains the traditional Greek
island way of life and hospitality. Once the capital of
Dodecanese, Symi became very rich by developing the sea sponge
trade. Today the island has around 2500 inhabitants, mostly
engaged in tourism, fishing, and trade. On visiting this unique
island one can admire the neoclassical 19th century town with
its colorful little houses. One can also feel the atmosphere of
the island.
Take a virtual tour
of Symi island
HERE.
08:05: Sharp!
Pick up from Hotel and Transfer to Mandraki Harbor.
09:00:
Departure on boat.
10:40:
Arrival at the Port of Panormitis (an hour's stay).
While touring around
the island you will see many churches and monasteries devoted to
the Archangel Michael. The Greek Orthodox Monastery of
Taxiarchis, Mihail Panormitis, is the most important on the
island and second largest in the Dodecanese after the monastery
of St John the Theologian in Patmos. The monastery is located on
the south end of Symi, situated on the seafront of the tiny
village of Panormitis. It is a closed-in cove with a small sandy
beach, protected by a narrow inlet that opens out into a wide
harbour. The mountainous backdrop is covered with pine trees
which give the area an ambiance of solitude. The monastery is a
large 18th-century Venetian-style building with the highest
baroque bell tower in the world. The facade of the main
structure is white and it stretches along the coast on either
side of the main gateway. In excellent condition, the Italians
constructed these two rows of buildings after World War II.
These buildings now contain holiday flats and a bakery among
other things.
Once inside the
monastery main gate, visitors are welcomed by an inner courtyard
decorated with exotic trees and plants and paved with 'hokhlakia'.
The church dedicated to the Panormiti is on the left and inside
contains the two-metre-high, silver-leafed wall icon of the
Panormiti. The entire church interior is covered with
iconography (of particular interest is the 'fall of the angels'
mural at the back of the church) and is decorated with very
elaborate chandeliers.
The exact historical
date of the construction of this church remains unknown but some
suggest that it was built around 450 AD over the site of an
ancient temple dedicated to the pagan god Apollo. It is known
for certainty that the existing church underwent a major
renovation in the 18th century to bring it to the standard that
is in existence today.
The monastery has
two museums. One houses ecclesiastical art, and is rich in
exhibits like pontificals, silver icons, Russian epitaphs, and
ecclesiastical utensils, ship model offerings brought to
Panormitis from far away by the sea, and one of folk art with
important objects of the folk culture of the island relevant to
fishing, agriculture, and shepherding. There is also a library
with Byzantine manuscripts and editions of ecclesiastical,
historical, and philological content, as well as a gallery with
paintings of the landscape of the monastery and its two chapels.
There is also a memorial to a former abbot, two monks, and two
teachers, who in 1944 were executed for running a spy radio for
the British commandos.
11:40:
Departure from Panormitis Port.
12:30:
Arrival at Symi Port.
16:15:
Departure from Symi Port.
17:45:
Arrival at Mandraki Harbor.
18:15:
Arrival at Hotel.
Tickets:
Boat trip: €30; Entrance to the site - Full: €2
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