GREECE & CYPRUS RHODES DESTINATIONS
ABOVE: Panormitis Monastery
LEFT: Lindos
but it’s worth doing so to take a two-hour ferry trip to the nearby island of Symi. It’s easy to fall for Symi before
you’ve even left the boat as you pull up at the island’s crystal-clear harbour framed by tiers of pastel- coloured houses. The charm of Symi is its simplicity. The island has managed to avoid mass tourism and high-rise hotels,
giving it an unspoiled ambience. Ferries arrive in the island’s main port of Yialos where you can find a stretch of cafes and shops. After strolling along this waterfront promenade you can rent a scooter for the day or jump on board the local bus (€1.50) to go sightseeing. Less than 10 minutes on the bus will get you to the small coastal village of Pedi, where a 15-minute walk down a well- marked route leads you to the hidden oasis of St Nicholas Beach, though there is a water taxi service for those who like to arrive in style. Here dramatic, rocky mountains give way to azure water. A private stretch of sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired for €3.50, while a beach taverna offers traditional Greek dishes and drinks. The food in Symi is fresh and delicious, especially the assortment of sublime seafood,
including its famously tasty, tiny shrimps. Top picks for a seafood feast include Taverna To Spitiko and Tholos in the main port. Another must-see is the
18th-century Venetian-styled Panormitis Monastery on the island’s southern tip. It’s well worth a tour of this striking structure, said to be built on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo and boasting the world’s highest baroque bell tower. Do Something Different has
Symi Island tours from Rhodes from £44 per adult and £22 per child. The package includes a morning visit to the main port and lunch, before setting sail for Panormitis to visit the monastery, then returning to Rhodes. For those that have time,
however, it’s worth staying overnight in Symi and enjoying the peace that washes over this small island once the day-trippers have departed.
7 December 2017
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PICTURE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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