| Rhodes. One of Greece's many highlights, the | | | | the depth of the sea increases. In another |
| island of Rhodes, has both incredible beauty and | | | | direction, tiny pieces of land form mini islands in |
| interesting history to share with its visitors. The | | | | the turquoise water.The ruins on the Acropolis of |
| largest of the Dodecanese island group, Rhodes | | | | Lindos easily rival that of Athens. Dating back to |
| has several beaches from which you can enjoy | | | | 2000 B.C., what remains is a mix of Byzantine, |
| the sea. One is covered with small pebbles in place | | | | Turkish and Frankish ruins. The majority of the |
| of sand, but the magnificence of the royal blue | | | | summit's floor is a mix of rock and dry grass. |
| water is obvious regardless of the composition of | | | | Stone stairs lead to one of the Acropolis' highest |
| the beach. Rhodes receives over 300 days of | | | | structures of which only three tall columns still |
| sunshine a year, which makes you appreciate the | | | | stand. The front two columns support two stone |
| crisp coldness of the Aegean even more.After | | | | blocks stacked on top of one another.Farther |
| the fall and fragmentation of Alexander the | | | | along, the ground has been paved and a concrete |
| Great's Empire of Macedonia, the island of Rhodes | | | | platform makes for easier walking. Remains of |
| fought for its freedom and after a long siege, | | | | another building stand here, the front and back |
| triumphed in 305 BC. It was during this period that | | | | each consisting of four supported pillars. Stacked |
| the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven | | | | stones compose what is left of the walls, although |
| Wonders of the World, was constructed and | | | | they are in the process of being restored. From |
| straddled the harbour. This impressive giant statue | | | | here you can see the Bay of Lindos and the |
| was demolished during an earthquake. Because of | | | | water is so clear that you can easily make out |
| its strategic position (on the crossroads between | | | | the bottom of the sea.Patmos. Another popular |
| East and West) Rhodes has been under constant | | | | cruise ship stop is the Holy Island of Patmos. The |
| attacks and dominations from early times. This | | | | northernmost island of the Dodecanese group, |
| continued even up to WWII when the Germans | | | | Patmos is a place of pilgrimage for many |
| took it over for a short period, followed by the | | | | Christians due to its religious history.At the summit |
| English who maintained their rule until 1948. At | | | | of the small island lies the Monastery of St. John |
| that time the island of Rhodes (and all the islands | | | | the Theologian. If you have the time, climb up the |
| of the Dodecanese) was united to the newly built | | | | steep road that coils its way up to the |
| Greek State.Today pottery is Rhodes' craft and | | | | monastery. It's a fairly long hike, but worth the |
| tours of factories are available. You can see how | | | | effort as you're rewarded with a spectacular |
| the pieces are created from start to finish, | | | | view of Patmos and its numerous bays and |
| including the painting of the finished product by | | | | coves. Buses and taxis also make frequent runs |
| talented artists. Pottery is for sale all over the | | | | to the top of the hill.The monastery itself is built |
| island, but the factories have the best selection. | | | | within a fortress and its gray buttressed walls |
| Some of the most beautiful pieces have colored | | | | retain their strength even today. From the |
| porcelain baked onto the clay in flowery | | | | outside, it looks more like a castle than a |
| designs.The city of Lindos on Rhodes is built | | | | monastery. Built 900 years ago, the monastery is |
| around an Acropolis. Square white houses set | | | | constructed mainly out of gray stone. A cement |
| amidst abundant greenery line the lower portion | | | | pathway on the pebbled ground leads inside to an |
| of the rock projection. Although the Acropolis of | | | | open-air courtyard. The rusting stone is stacked |
| Lindos is not as high as Athens, its grandeur is | | | | into arches and the positioning of the monastery |
| enhanced by its extraordinary setting above the | | | | on the highest point of the island means that all |
| Aegean Sea. At the bottom, a white sandy bay | | | | you can see when you look up is the clear blue |
| greets the blue water with a spattering of | | | | sky.One of the covered archways is decorated |
| umbrellas. There is seldom an empty space on | | | | with scenes of a religious nature. The frescoes of |
| the fine sand, the tourists come early and stay | | | | saints and churches are precise to the smallest |
| late. It's quite easy to walk to the top of the | | | | detail and their color endures. The monastery's |
| Acropolis, but there is also a more adventurous | | | | church is decorated with even more remarkable |
| way to ascend to the island's highest point - by | | | | frescoes. Gold embellishment and exquisite wood |
| donkey. You might assume that this would require | | | | carvings throughout the church emphasize the |
| a lot less effort in the blazing sunshine, but you will | | | | importance of this section of the monastery.A |
| expend more energy praying for your life and | | | | small museum on the site houses sacred |
| gripping the makeshift saddle. Donkeys are not | | | | treasures such as intricately decorated |
| the most graceful walkers and you will be | | | | manuscripts. It is also possible to see aged |
| constantly bumped from side to side. They also | | | | embroidered religious garments, jewelry and |
| have a tendency to walk wherever they like and | | | | mosaics.Another notably sacred place on Patmos |
| this includes walking awfully close to the | | | | is the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Just down the hill |
| precipitous edge where you will be sure you are | | | | from the monastery lies the cave where it is |
| going to go tumbling off the Acropolis into the | | | | believed St. John experienced his divine revelation. |
| clear blue water at any moment. Fortunately they | | | | Watch your step here; the stairs are steep and |
| are not suicidal, so don't make any sudden shifts | | | | the rock is slippery. Inside the cave, a worn stone |
| of your weight that would throw them off | | | | ledge comprises the desk where St. John wrote |
| balance and all will be well.Whichever way you get | | | | the Book of Revelations. A smaller ledge served |
| to the top, you'll be astounded by the view. The | | | | as his pillow. Three fractures in the stone roof |
| color of the water is mesmerizing. In one | | | | mark the spot where God's voice reached |
| direction, a long beach stretches on for miles. The | | | | through to St. John. The triple crack both |
| water that meets the sand is almost white and | | | | symbolizes and honors the Holy Trinity. |
| then abruptly changes to a richer, dark blue as | | | | |