| Visiting the islands of the Cyclades is an | | | | villages is a great view of the caldera. Walking is a |
| experience you'll never forget. No matter what | | | | great way to see the island's landscapes and |
| you're looking for in a vacation, you'll find it in one | | | | volcano. Ferry boats can take you from the island |
| of these amazing islands!Touring the Dodecanese | | | | to Kalymnos, Rhodes, Tilos, Kos, Kastellorizo and |
| Islands of GreeceIn the southeasternmost parts | | | | Symi.PatmosThe "Isle of Patmos" is known for |
| of the Greek islands, the Dodecanese islands offer | | | | the famous writings of Saint John the Divine, who |
| much in the way of tourism. From fancy | | | | wrote the book of Revelations in the Greek New |
| restaurants to luxurious resorts, tourists find | | | | Testament of the Holy Bible. He was exiled to this |
| plenty to do at some of these islands. There are | | | | island after attempts on his life failed. Cruise ships |
| also some great beaches. A few of the | | | | often stop here, and the island has beaches and a |
| Dodecanese islands are near Turkey; only a | | | | beautiful landscape. Skala is the main town, which |
| day-trip away!Read below to learn about the | | | | caters to cruise ship travellers. You can visit the |
| different Dodecanese islands and what to expect | | | | monastery of Saint John above Skala, and the |
| during your visit:AstypaliaAstypalia is actually two | | | | Monastery of the Apocalypse that was built |
| islands that are connected by an isthmus, with | | | | around the cave where Saint John had his vision |
| most of its visitors being Greeks. It resembles | | | | of end times. There are connections by ferry to |
| islands from the Cyclades more than it does the | | | | Kos, Rhodes, Leros and Kalymnos, and a small |
| other Dodecanese islands because of its | | | | boat to the island of Lipsi.RhodesRhodes is the |
| geometric houses, villages and a Venetian castle. | | | | most popular island in the Dodecanese group, and |
| There are some lovely beach coves. The island | | | | one of the most popular in Greece. The town of |
| makes a great getaway if it's peace and quiet | | | | Rhodes has an ancient section with historical sites |
| you want.HalkiThe small island of Halki fits well into | | | | from Medieval times. There's a walled city and a |
| tourists packages as a place known for unspoiled | | | | castle that was built by the Knights of Saint John. |
| territory. It's difficult to find a hotel room, so you'll | | | | The island has fancy resorts, mountains, beaches |
| want to plan in advance if you plan to | | | | and villages to keep you busy. The Valley of the |
| stay.KalymnosKalymnos is where the | | | | Butterflies is a great place to visit while |
| spongefishermen go, and is a busy, working town. | | | | sightseeing on the island. Be sure to rent a car |
| Its main port is called Pothia, which has many | | | | when you arrive so you'll be able to tour the |
| cafes and even a sponge museum. Resort | | | | remote areas of the island. You can take ferry |
| beaches and other small towns and ports are | | | | boat rides to nearby islands such as Tilos and |
| around the island so you'll have plenty to see and | | | | Symi.SymiThis island has pebbled beaches, |
| do during your visit. Several boats leave Pothia to | | | | restaurants and an inviting town. Among the |
| visit neighboring islands such as Pserimos and Nera. | | | | island's residents are many photographers, writers |
| From the town of Myrties, you can travel to | | | | and astrologers in a co-operative called |
| Telendos by boat. Telendos offers taverns, | | | | Symidream. They offer classes in photography, |
| beaches and rental rooms.KarpathosKarpathos is a | | | | writing and other unique subjects. Connections are |
| traditional island with mountain villages and beautiful | | | | made by ferry boat several times a week to |
| beaches. There is a line of mountains that | | | | Kos, Kastellorizo, Tilos and Rhodes.TilosIf you |
| separates the island down the middle, with one | | | | enjoy walking as you explore a new area, Tilos is |
| side of the island being green and fertile and the | | | | the place to go. There are deserted villages, a |
| other side being rocky. There are some hotels | | | | monastery, landscapes, a Medieval castle and also |
| and restaurants in the port town of Pigadia, the | | | | beaches that are not usually very crowded. |
| capital. Tourism is steady here, but it's not | | | | Livadia offers many places to stay, and many |
| over-crowded. The Olympus mountain village is a | | | | tourists enjoy camping on the beach as well. You |
| secluded village where Medieval crafts are made | | | | can see many different types of birds on the |
| and customs are carried out. The island has an | | | | island since hunting was banned 16 years ago. You |
| airport, and ferries that depart from Pireaus, and | | | | might even see some endangered birds! Ferry |
| some that go to Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, Milos, | | | | boat connections are made to Kos, Rhodes, |
| Naxos, Paros, Kassos and Halki.KassosIf you | | | | Kalymnos and Kastellorizo.When in Greece, be |
| enjoy walking, you'll love the island of Kassos. | | | | sure to visit one or several of the Dodecanese |
| You'll be able to walk from village to village, | | | | islands if you enjoy history, nature and pleasant |
| enjoying the traditional Greek lifestyle in a quiet | | | | scenery!While in Greece you will want a cell phone |
| setting. Phry is the main village on the island. | | | | for use and with the local GSM service you'll be |
| There are some beaches and two monasteries. | | | | amazed at how much better the service is in |
| Only two ferry boats come here per week | | | | Greece than back home. Virtually everywhere in |
| usually, but the island has an airport with flights to | | | | Greece, yes even islands and mountains, is |
| Karpathos, Athens and | | | | covered by superb GSM cell phone service. With a |
| Rhodes.KastellorizoKastellorizo is a very small island | | | | local service provider all your incoming calls are |
| that's famous for the film Mediterraneo. Another | | | | 100% free and calling the states is just $.84 / |
| name for the island is Megisti. It has no beaches, | | | | minute. Or, to be 100% sure, you can rent a |
| but does have adorable rocky coves where | | | | satellite phone and as long as you can point it to |
| tourists enjoy snorkeling. There are many historic | | | | the southern hemisphere you'll get service across |
| features of the island, especially the fact that it | | | | Europe. Free incoming calls day and night from |
| was bombed severely during World War II. Many | | | | every country on earth and only $1.99 to call any |
| different types of people have lived here. The | | | | country, always. For more information on renting |
| island offers ferry connections to Kos, Kalymnos, | | | | buying these type of phones and getting this type |
| Rhodes, Tilos and Symi, and also has an | | | | of super low cost service take a look at or call |
| airport.KosKos is an island with beaches, agriculture | | | | 800-514-2984 inside the States or 925-686-9945 |
| and archaeology. While on the island, you can | | | | from outside. They ship worldwide and are based |
| explore items from the past at Venetian, Roman, | | | | in California.Cell phone use overseas. In 99% of |
| Byzantine and Hellenistic sites. If you enjoy riding | | | | the world the local cellular service standard is |
| your bike to explore, you can ride through the flat | | | | called GSM. We use this in the states as well. |
| interior section of the island very easily. The island | | | | When combined with a SIM CARD (which usually |
| connects to other larger islands and also Bodrun in | | | | goes under the battery of the phone) the phone |
| Turkey. There are flights to Athens as | | | | is able to communicate and the SIM CARD also |
| well.LerosLeros is a lovely green island with | | | | holds the telephone number and memory for |
| breathtaking beaches and bays. Those on sailing | | | | pre-paid credit. Rates can be extremely low using |
| trips to and from Turkey and other nearby | | | | this system. For example in 99% of all SIM |
| islands enjoy stopping by Leros. Laki is the main | | | | CARDS incoming calls are free and calls to the |
| port of Leros. Here you can see a detailed | | | | states can cost a trifle. Such as, from the UK to |
| example of art deco architecture. This port was | | | | the USA 7 cents/minute, from Israel 22 cents, |
| designed by Mussilini's architects in 1923. The | | | | from Australia 27 cents. Yes, USA Dollar cents! |
| capital was then moved to another village called | | | | There are today even prepaid service providers in |
| Platanos in defiance to the dictator. Leros has an | | | | the USA offering rates of 10 cents per minute to |
| airport that will take you to Athens, and boats | | | | call anywhere in the US to any type of phone. No |
| coming from Pireaus to other islands of the | | | | contracts, no credit card checks, no bills. Pre-paid |
| Dodekanese group.NisyrosNisyros is a dormant | | | | always means no minimums no contracts, no |
| volcano with rich fertile lands. A main port in | | | | obligations. You only pay for the calls made. You'll |
| Nisyros is Mandraki, where there is an ancient | | | | need an unlocked GSM tri-band or quadband |
| acropolis, a beach with black stones and a | | | | UNLOCKED phone. You can buy factory unlocked |
| monastery. Loutra offers a thermal spa. Many | | | | phones and sim cards for more than 170 or the |
| tourists enjoy seeing the volcano and visiting the | | | | 193 countries on earth from Tel. |
| villages of Emboreios and Nikea. From these | | | | |