| Far over on the eastern side of the Aegean Sea are | | | | After breakfast, cruise to Nisyros, which is said to be |
| the Dodecanese Islands. The word Dodecanese is | | | | one of the most beautiful of all Greek islands It is a |
| derived from the Greek word for "twelve is", for | | | | strange combination of luxuriant vegetation and stark |
| there are 12 main islands in the Dodecanese Island | | | | moonscapes. A dormant volcano lies at the center of |
| chain. The Dodecanese Islands run right along the | | | | the island. The charming port town of Mandraki is |
| coast of Turkey and in some instances are closer to | | | | comprised of winding alleys and brightly colored |
| the mainland of Turkey than to their neighboring | | | | houses. It is situated beneath the cliff top |
| Greek islands however they all remain truly Greek in | | | | monastery, Moni Panagias Spilianis. Near the port you |
| nature. | | | | will find the black stoned beach of Koklaki. Set on the |
| Great starting points for a charter of the | | | | ridge of the volcano are the villages of Emboreios |
| Dodecanese Islands are Kusadasi, Turkey, after a | | | | and Nikea, which both have spectacular views into |
| tour of Ephesus, and a short cruise over to the most | | | | the caldera. The best beaches on the island are at |
| northern of the main Twelve Islands of Samos, or a | | | | Pali and Lies. After lunch cruise to Kos. |
| start in the most southern of the Dodecanese | | | | Day 5 |
| Islands in Rhodes or Marmaris, Turkey. There are a | | | | Situated only 5km off the Turkish peninsula of |
| variety of itineraries possible, however for a cruise to | | | | Bodrum, is Kos, one of the most fertile islands in the |
| include all 12 of the main islands in the Dodecanese | | | | Dodecanese. Like Rhodes, it is abundant with ancient |
| Islands, consider the itinerary to follow: | | | | remains and beautiful beaches. The landscape of |
| Day 1 | | | | modern Kos Town, the island capital and main port, is |
| Join your yacht in Rhodes, with an east coast of | | | | picturesque. The Castle of the Knights prevails over |
| endless sandy beaches and sunshine 300 days a | | | | the port, while Hellenistic and Roman ruins are littered |
| year, Rhodes is the most popular of the Dodecanese. | | | | everywhere. There are numerous archaeological sites |
| The incredibly well preserved Old Town of Rhodes is | | | | to visit. The Asclepion is the most important ancient |
| the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Behind | | | | site on Kos. It is located on a pine covered hill 4km |
| imposing walls, it is the fortified nucleus of Rhodes | | | | southwest of Kos Town. Amongst the many sandy |
| City. The tranquil, twisting alleyways in the old town | | | | beaches, Agios Stefanos, sitting next to the ruins of |
| are a web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin | | | | two 5th century basilicas, is a must. At Masthari you |
| architecture. Faliraki Beach is the premier resort on | | | | can find a number of secluded spots on the sandy |
| the island; the beach at Kalithea Thermi is the site of | | | | shores to rest and relax. Later that afternoon, cruise |
| an abandoned Italian spa. If you are looking for a | | | | to Leros. |
| quiet anchorage, cruise over to Stegna Beach or the | | | | Day 6 |
| sandy cove of Agathi. | | | | The gentle, sloping countryside of Leros is spotted |
| Day 2 | | | | with smallholdings and huge, impressive, |
| A lovely, mountainous island, Symi was reputed to be | | | | almost-landlocked bays, resembling lakes more than |
| the birthplace of the Three Graces. While its interior | | | | the open sea. Platanos, the capital of Leros is 3km |
| is punctuated with small valleys, its coastline | | | | north of Lakki, the main port. This tiny picturesque |
| alternates between being steep and rocky or sandy | | | | village spills down the narrow hillside to the port of |
| and indented with little coves. One of the most | | | | Agios Marina. On the east side of Platanos, a massive |
| famous landmarks on the island is the monastery of | | | | castle crowns the mountainside dwellings. Set on the |
| the Archangel Michael Panormitis on the southwest | | | | wide Alinda Bay, are the adjoining resorts of Krithoni |
| coast. It was built in the 18th century, and contains | | | | and Alinda, which have a lovely, long tree-shaded |
| marvelous frescoes and a carved iconostasis. This | | | | sand beach. At Belfoutis Bay you will find a shaded |
| Ministry claims that all waters of the world pass | | | | sand and pebble beach and a good taverna. A good |
| through their bay at some point. If you would like to | | | | spot for snorkeling, Xirokambos Bay is a mellow |
| reach them, simply place a message in a bottle and | | | | resort with a sand beach. Leave after lunch for |
| at some point it will arrive. Whether or not this is | | | | Patmos. |
| true, be sure to stop in at their museum with bottle | | | | Day 7 |
| messages they have received over the centuries. If | | | | For both Orthodox and Western Christians, Patmos |
| you ask, perhaps one of the priests will give you a | | | | has long been a place of pilgrimage, for it was here |
| vile of blessed waters for your journey. There is no | | | | that St John is said to have written his divinely |
| lack of wonderful beaches on Symi. You'll find good | | | | inspired revelation, the Apocalypse. Once a favorite |
| swimming at Yialos, Pedio, Emborios, Marathounda, | | | | destination for the devout, Patmos is now just as |
| Nanou as well as on the nearby islets of Agia Marina | | | | popular with sun and sea worshippers. All boats dock |
| and Nimos. | | | | at glitzy Skala, which sprawls around a large curving |
| Day 3 | | | | bay. Wrapped around the immense Monastery of St |
| Cruise to the tiny remote island of Kastellorizo. This | | | | John the Theologian, is the beautiful hilltop village of |
| island has no beaches but does have several | | | | Hora. With its immaculate whitewashed houses and |
| protected rocky inlets, where you can swim and | | | | maze like alleys, it is absolutely enchanting. There are |
| snorkel in the crystalline sea. With the Knights of St | | | | a number of sandy tree-shaded beaches around the |
| John Castle situated above the quay, it is one of the | | | | island. Psili Ammos is the best beach and is only |
| most picturesque harbors in the Dodecanese. On the | | | | accessible by boat. Leave late in the afternoon for |
| southeastern coast of the island is a beautiful blue | | | | Samos. |
| cave. Enjoy lunch before heading across to Tilos, | | | | Day 8 |
| which has fine tranquil beaches, vistas of high cliffs, | | | | Samos, the birthplace and home of Pythagorus, is |
| rocky inlets and valleys of almond and walnut trees. | | | | quite the up market, cosmopolitan island. The little |
| There are only two settlements, the peaceful | | | | harbour of Pythagorion is lined with dozens of |
| whitewashed village of Magalo Horio and the | | | | tavernas along the waterfront. Disembark here and |
| waterfront town of Livadia. The uncrowded beaches | | | | spend more time on the island, or take the ferry to |
| of Eristos, Agios Antonis and Plaka are a real treat. | | | | the Turkish town of Kusidasi, or a flight to Athens. |
| Day 4 | | | | |