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 Rhodes
is by far the largest in the Dodecanese Group of islands, is located between
the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas, about 11 km from the coast of Asia
Minor (Turkey). The island's climate is very healthy. The winter is mild,
the summer is cool, it is sunny most of the year and the rain helps the
growth of the vegetation.
Transportation.
Diagoras international airport is located 17 km from the city of Rhodes.
There are regular international charter flights to and from most European
cities, mainly during the summer, as well as a large number of charter
flights to and from the rest of the world. Moreover, there are daily flights
to Athens, Heraklion (Crete) and Thessaloniki, as well as regular
connections with the neighbouring island of Kastellorizo, Karpathos and
Kassos. Regular ferry lines connect Rhodes to Athens, Thessaloniki,
Heraklion, Cyprus and Turkey, while extensive boat and hydrofoil services
connect it with all neighbouring islands.
 History. Situated at the
crossroads of cultures and continents, Rhodes has always been the ideal
meeting place for people of different origins. In fact, the ancient city of
Lindos became a major naval force, controlling all sea traffic through these
waters. One of the Seven Sages of antiquity, Cleovoulos, was born in Lindos.
In the 5th century BC, the three city-states Lindos, Lalyssos and Kamiros
merged in the newly built city of Rhodes, one of the finest and best-organised
cities of the ancient world. In 42 BC, Cassius conquered Rhodes, bringing
about its commercial and cultural decline. In 330 AD, when the capital of
the Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople, the strategic and commercial
significance of the island increased. In 1309, the Knights of St. John of
Jerusalem settled in the Dodecanese, leading Rhodes once more into economic,
political and cultural contact with all of Western Europe. Commerce and
wealth came to an abrupt halt when the island was occupied by the Turks
(1522-1912) and later by the Italians the Germans and the British (during
World War II). Since 1947, when Rhodes was finally united with Greece, it
has resumed its contemporary cosmopolitan character, being the leading
tourist destination in Greece and one of the most preferred meeting places
for conventions and other events of international caliber.
 Sightseeing and Monuments.
Rhodes has many important archaeological sites, evidencing a history of over
three thousand years old. The island is an open museum, where traces of the
past can be found even on a humble village house. Possibly the most
archaeological site, Kamiros is located on the southwest part of the island;
the Acropolis of Lindos, just over the name-sake village is accessible only
on foot; the Doric Temple of Athina is found inside the Medieval City of
Rhodes, the largest active medieval town in Europe, declared A Monument of
World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO; no more than a kilometer from the city
centre, on the splendid hill of Aghios Stefanos, lie the remains of the
Hellenistic Era of Rhodes including a restored theater, a stadium and the
remains of the Temple of Apollo; crowning the Filerimos Hill, are the
remains of the ancient Lalyssos, together with a Byzantine castle and a 13th
century monastery; located 52 km from Rhodes town, the magnificent Venetian
Castelllo Castle dominates the traditional village of Kritinia; in Paradissi,
at 25 km from Rhodes, the Valley of the Butterflies is an enchanting natural
park with lush vegetation and running water where every year, from June to
September, swarms of multi-coloured rare Panaxia butterflies lay their eggs.
 Cultural Events. Feasts,
national anniversaries, weddings and organized events such as festivals
organized by the Cultural Societies of the island, are the perfect
opportunities to preserve tradition. The Carnival and Shrove Monday are
celebrated in a unique local way, while, in the summer, many municipalities,
such as the Municipality of Lindos, organise feasts with local dances and
songs, where one can have free food and wine. Some of these are: the Flower
Festival, last week of May, International Opera/Choir Festival (summer),
August Wine Festival (organised at the wine-producing villages), Summer
Cultural and Artistic Activities Series, June 15 - September 30, the "Sound
and Light" performances at the Grand Masters' Palace, in the Medieval Town,
the Cultural Festival of Rhodes (including Greek tragedies and folk dances),
held at the open-air medieval theatre, Folk Dance Show, open-air, in the
Medieval Town, during the summer at the Rodini Park Theatre, the rest of the
year in Rhodes, Life and Tradition: 2-hour performance (traditional wedding
customs, comedy sketches, live popular Greek music), held at the National
Theatre.
People and Lifestyle. The
people of Rhodes are polite, hospitable and heavily influenced by the
cosmopolitan atmosphere of the island. Very social, comfortable with
strangers, warm and lovers of their island and their country, they work
hard, they are very clever and open-minded.
 Sports and Leisure.
Well-organised clubs and facilities offer a great variety of sports
activities, from hunting, fishing and hiking, to skydiving, horseback
riding, mountain climbing, walking, bird watching, sailing, windsurfing, and
golf. Nightlife and Entertainment Rhodes is the quintessence of cosmopolitan
entertainment by day and night. Having an exciting time on Rhodes is easy,
with a tremendous variety of sightseeing, well organised sports facilities,
dreamy beaches, high quality shopping, cafes, restaurants, recreational
events, the Casino del Roses, the water park, night dubs, cabarets with
floor shows, a microcosm of genuine high class entertainment The renowned
Greek-style night entertainment may start with dinner in a wide choice of
places, to be followed by a visit to the medieval theatre for an exciting
folklore performance and later on, at a night club with popular Greek songs
and dances. Nights on Rhodes are always young...
Gastronomy and Shopping.
Scenic outdoor cafes in the Medieval Town or by the beach offer the pleasure
of communication in the international language of leisure, while taverns and
restaurants of Rhodes satisfy every taste, featuring everything from local
Rodian to Mediterranean and international cuisine specialties. During the
Village Wine Festival, participants can taste Greek delicacies and sample
all local wines, inducing the locally produced CAIR champagne. Rhodes is an
endless bazaar. Apart from the fair-priced fashion goods, many shops offer
locally fashioned top quality handmade items, including jewellery, ceramics,
furs, olive wood creations and leather goods.
 Conference Facilities. A
full member of the European Federation of Conference Towns (EFCT) and the
Organisation of World Heritage dues, Rhodes offers a safe and peaceful
environment, rich in natural beauty and cultural tradition, enhancing the
spirit of communication. An ideal "neutral" choice for political meetings,
it has hosted major political events in the last fifty years. In addition to
political events, Rhodes is a favourite choice for international scientific
conferences, such as the 1990 2nd International Meeting of Bacterial
Epidemiological Markets, the 1994 1st International Congress of Hormones,
Brain and Neuropsychopharmacology, the 1st Mediterranean Congress of
International Diagnosis of Thorax Disease and the 1998 XVI World Congress of
the International Society for Heart Research. Featuring a plethora of
state-of-the-art convention halls housed in ultra-modern hotels, the island
of Rhodes is rightfully "in the chair" of meeting destinations. Offering all
it takes in order to convene and confer in style. |
