Dodecanese
Symi
Welcome to the most beautiful harbor of the Dodecanese! Luxury liners are on the quay, neoclassical villas stand on the rock, which opens like an amphitheater to the water - with great views of the island of Nymos and the Aegean Sea. This has brought wealth to Symi: As in the last century, more and more fishermen moved to the sponge diving, they could afford magnificent town houses. Symi became the Nice of the Aegean. 20,000 people lived here in those crazy years, Symi was sophisticated and chic. The 2500-inhabitant city is still alive and kicking today. And the people on the railing beckon when the ferry leaves.
Nissiros
The island is not very pleasant with its rugged coast and its beaches of black lava. Even the 135-meter-high mountain next to the harbor entrance of Mandraki is made entirely of gray lava and makes the white pilgrimage church on the summit even more radiant into the distance. So greets an island formed by divine bickering. Nissiros, according to Greek mythology, is a piece of Kos. Poseidon broke off to slay a Titan. From its mouth it still hisses. That's how they once explained why Nissiros is a volcano. Many day trippers come to admire this unique attraction of the Aegean. For a few hours they provide life on the tranquil island with the lush vegetation in the interior, the play of colors in the streets and the magnificent mosaic courtyard of the pilgrimage church on the lava hill.
Tilos
When the ferry tumbles into the harbor of the city of Livadia, the inhabitants of the mountain village Mikro Chorio startle up, but soon return to their grass, pluck, feed, complain. Since 1968, Mikro Chorio is the city of goats. The people have given up the place. In the capital, Livadia, people meet in front of the kafenion in the evening, sitting under pomegranate trees, drinking, gossiping.
travel service
Phone: Area code to Greece: 0030, then omit the 0 in the area code. Getting there: Flight from Germany to Athens z. With KLM from Frankfurt via Amsterdam; continue by ferry to Kos or Rhodes. Charter flights to the great Dodecanese islands z. B. with Condor to Kos or Rhodes. From there, ferries or hydrofoils travel to one of the islands. Information on ferries, shipping companies and timetables can be found at www.gtpnet.com. Info: 22, 60311 Frankfurt / M., Tel. 069/236561, Fax 236576. Experts for the Dodecanese in the Internet travel agency Greece Online (Im Mediapark 11, 50670 Cologne, Tel. 0221/4545450, Fax 4545451.) 200 islands: Although Dodecanese literally means "Twelve Islands", the group is located in the very east of the Aegean Sea and close to Turkey, consisting of about 50 large and 150 small islands; 13 are inhabited all year round.
Kos
Wide sandy beaches, tiny mountain villages and a vibrant capital with 12,000 inhabitants. Because of its cultural treasures Kos town is worth a trip -Agora, Gymnasion, temples, sycamore of Hippocrates. Getting there: With charter directly, via scheduled flight over Athens. The ferry passage from Piraeus takes about eleven hours. Orientate: The tourist information on the harbor promenade (Akti Miaouli) arranges rooms, knows ferry and flight plans; Tel. 0242/24460, Fax 21111. Shelter: Pension Alexis: On the cozy terrace you can sit under the mirabelle plum trees and have breakfast even at lunchtime (9, Irodotou & Omirou Str., Tel. 0242/28798, Fax 25797. Eat: Limionas Restaurant Giannis: in the southwest of the island on a very beautiful beach; Local cuisine and delicious fish (at Kefalos turn right to Limionas, Tel 0932/422002). Taverna Ampavri: in the middle of Kos town, pretty garden restaurant, where many islanders eat (about one kilometer past Casa Romana, tel. 0242/25696).
Nissiros
Quiet, contemplative, almost deserted. Even in high season, rarely more than 300 visitors stay overnight. Many day tourists make trips to the huge volcanic crater. Getting there: Daily small boats run between Kos and Mandraki, the port city of Nissiros. Orientate: In Mandraki life takes place after docking at the harbor: people are bustling around, with great hello tours, volcanic tours and rooms are offered. At Diakomihalis in the shopping street you can buy ferry tickets, rent cars and mopeds, tel. 0242/31459, fax 0242/31527. Shelter: Hotel Porfyris: luxurious, with swimming pool, nice rooms, good breakfast and terrace overlooking mountains and sea (Hotel Porfyris, Fax 0242/31376). Apartments Ipapanti: in the center of Mandraki, simple, clean rooms (Kostas Sfakianos, tel. 0242/31185).Eat: Taverna Nisyros: There is something typical like "Soumada", a bittersweet milk made from almonds. Taverna Panorama: Local with a view in the center of Mandraki, simple dishes. Manolis: near the "Captains" with delicious grilled Octopus.
Tilos
If you are holidaying, you are looking for something special; because Tilos has no temples or sights, no breathtaking beaches, Tilos is pure tranquility. Only if the island festival takes place from 26 to 28 August, residents and visitors in a long procession to the monastery Pandemonas pull and celebrate the nights, then Tilos is fully booked. Getting there: Daily a ferry commutes between Rhodes and Livadia, the port city of Tilos. Twice a week there is a connection to Piraeus, ships sail three times a week between Kos, Nissiros and Symi. Orientate: At Stefanakis, the "Travel Service" right on the harbor of Livadia, you will learn everything you need to know. You also rent cars and mopeds here. Shelter: Marina Beach: For the simple island an almost luxurious hotel, a bit out of the way, but with great views of the countryside and harbor bay (Marina Beach, Livadia, Tel. 0241/44066, Fax 44064,.) Studio Golden Beach: right on the harbor, with pretty furnished apartments (Studio Golden Beach, Livadia, Tel. 0241/44257, Fax 44294. Eat: Taverna Blue Sky: in a beautiful location, among grape vines, overlooking the harbor of Livadia. Tip: spaghetti with lamb. Fish Taverna Trata: in the town center; Owner Elias drives out by boat during the day and in the evening serves everything that has gone online. Fish Taverna Georgios: The restaurant in the small village of Megalo Chorio offers fresh fish.
Symi
Even the entrance to the fjord-like harbor is an experience: Steep and densely built up the city rises from the sea, with houses in the neoclassical style, which are not white, but ocher and brown. Symi-city is the Nice of the Dodecanese, so also an expensive plaster. Getting there: Daily ferries connect Symi city with Kos and Rhodes. Orientate: Day trips to and around the island are arranged at the harbor, hotel rooms and ferry tickets. On the Internet: www.symi-island.gr. Shelter: Aliki: romantic luxury hotel in classicist style with fantastic roof terrace; directly at the harbor (Hotel Aliki, Tel. 0241/71665, Fax 71655, DZ from 180 Mark). Opera House: light blue house about 150 meters from the harbor with family apartments for up to seven people (Opera House, Tel. 0241/72034, Fax 72035). Eat: Taverna Georgios: in the upper town, below the Johanniter fortress; Symi insiders enjoy the view from the vine covered terrace. Manos Fish Restaurant: right on the harbor, with delicious fish soup. Taverna Meraklis: in a narrow cul-de-sac on the quieter side of the harbor with many locals.
Rhodes
Some say that Rhodes is the "island of the sun god Helios", others consider it "Aegean Mallorca", a mass target. In fact, Rhodes has something of everything: impressive ruins of history and the plastic colossi of Rhodes in the souvenir shops, lots of hotel concrete, but also great beaches and blooming hibiscus. Getting there: Rhodes is the hub of the Dodecanese. In the airport at Paradision land charter machines from all over the world. And at the port Mandraki in Rhodes Town ships from all directions. The ferry from Piraeus is around 20 hours on the way. Orientate: The staff at the Tourist Information Center (EOT, Alexandrou-Papagou-Str. 31, Tel. 0241/23655) are well informed and very helpful at Rhodes Town Bus Station. Shelter: S. Nikolis Hotel: Breakfast over the rooftops of the charming old town. A romantic hotel where each room is decorated differently (61 Hippodamou Street, tel. 0241/34561). Eat: Diafani: quiet eatery opposite the Turkish bath and off the fast food mile of Rhodes; one is placed, eats great Octopus and very good Giros (Diafani, Arionos Sq. 3, Tel 0241/26053).
