GREECE & CYPRUS DODECANESE ISLANDS DESTINATIONS W
ith its clean beaches, delicious gastronomy and
welcoming people embracing visitors as if they’re long lost family members, it’s not surprising that Greece tops the charts for returning visitors year after year. Tourists gravitate to the Greek islands, especially the ones they know best or can get to most easily, which in the case of the Dodecanese chain means Kos and Rhodes. There are, however, some beautiful and lesser- known islands in this region that are worth recommending to well-travelled clients who’ve already explored the larger ones and are looking for something more traditional, peaceful and a little more upmarket.
w SYMI Approaching by ferry you’ll see the colourful neoclassical houses that Symi is so famous for, spilling down from the hillside to the harbour. The sight always has tourists scrambling to take photos, many of them day-trippers from Rhodes. While it doesn’t boast sandy beaches, it’s worth making the effort to spend more time here, gently hiking through the rugged mountains, meandering through the streets of the Old Town at the top of Symi, or simply relaxing in a quiet cove. Best for: Definitely one for romance, couples and honeymooners looking for a less-commercialised place to celebrate.
The neoclassical houses that Symi is so famous for spill down from the hillside to the harbour
Getting there: In the height of the season, there are seven ferries a week from Kos, taking anything from one-and-a-half hours to four hours, depending on stops; and there are three to four each day from Rhodes, which is nearer, lasting 45 minutes to an hour. What to see: Symi is an upmarket destination. The quality of the
Venetian mansions spilling into the harbour upon arrival sets the tone nicely. With mainly pebbly beaches, it’s better for couples in their 30s upwards, who are also a good match for the quality of accommodation on offer. A mountainous island, Symi has some great gentle-to-moderate hikes, and the Taxiarchis Michael Panormitis monastery, set in an enclosed inlet in the south of the island, has two small museums. The harbour has an abundance
of yachts, many of them day-trippers from Turkey due to its close proximity to the country. Where to stay: Emporio is a boutique property in the small, quiet village of the same name, just over a mile from Symi harbour. Set right on the
Symi
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