RHODES, WHERE EAST MEETS WEST

Rhodes is widely renowned as the sunniest place in Europe, and the financial and cultural center of the Southeastern Aegean

Little ignites our imagination and wanderlust more than thoughts of sunny Greek islands dotted throughout a sparking Aegean sea. The island of Rhodes, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, promises no less than its fellow islands when it comes to endless beaches, great food and long, languorous summer evenings by the sea.

Where it does surpass many of the others is in its rich history, preserved in the island’s world famous museum and plentiful archeological sites. The island, which is the third largest of the Greek islands, is situated in the South Aegean, not far from the coast of Turkey. Located at the crossroads of two continents, Rhodes also manages to combine the worldliness of Europe with the mystery of the Orient in an atmosphere that is truly fascinating.

Greek mythology says that when the immortals divided the earth among them, the island of Rhodes did not yet exist, and that when the division was effected, Helius, the sun, was absent, and was left without any land. When Helius pointed this out, Zeus was about to order a new casting of lots, but Helius refused, having seen in a vision that the island of Rhodes would rise from the sea and become a rich land with much food for men and friendly to flocks, and he forced the gods to swear that when the island had risen, it should be his for evermore. Today, fossils of fish and seashells are visible in the yellowish sandstone of which the monuments of Rhodes are built, testifying that the island did indeed once lie beneath the sea.

GEORGE GIANNOPOULOS Mayor of Rhodes

Rhodes (Rhodos or Rodos in Greek), the beautiful island of roses, possesses a unique physical scenery that never ceases to impress its visitors. Officially the sunniest place in Europe, it is one of the most developed islands in the Mediterranean and also the financial and cultural center of the Southeastern Aegean. The island’s medieval past, with ruins of ancient temples, merges harmoniously with the refined cosmopolitan air of a modern resort, with luxurious hotels, broad avenues, and a rich variety of stores for shopping. This combination of stunning beauty, fascinating history, and modern amenities makes Rhodes an unrivalled meeting destination and places it at the top of the list of the most preferred congress venues in Greece.

The City of Rhodes, which is one of the biggest municipalities in the Greek islands, is among the finest, not only in Greece but in the whole of the Mediterranean. It is situated on the island’s most northerly point and ringed by sea on the east and west. The city offers a wide variety of entertainment such as nightlife, sports, and cultural events, as well as day trips to the town of Lindos, established in 2000 BC, and neighboring islands.

Eighteen miles west of the city is Ancient Kamiros, one of the three powerful cities in Rhodes during ancient times. It was rediscovered in 1929 and has been called the Greek Pompeii, because nobody knows why and how the city was deserted and buried. Most of the ruins are from the Hellenistic Era and include the city market and Doric temple and arches.