9 hours     Symi Island from Rhodes, Dodecanese     April-October

The boat departs at 09.00 from Mandraki port in Rhodes Island and the first stop is Panormitis, a closed natural cone in the southwest end of the island, where the imposing steeple of the monastery can be admired. It is the most important monastery of Dodekanisa Islands after the one of Agios Ioannis in the island of Patmos. The church was built in the 18th century. Its interior is highly decorated with remarkable wall paintings, byzantine paintings, a wood-carved altarpiece and the impressive icon of Archangel Michail with the oblations from worshippers. The visitor has the chance to visit the Folkloric and Church museum of the monastery. Our visit lasts one hour.

We next sail for 45 minutes along the eastern coasts of Symi to reach the northern part of the island, the town of Symi. During our sailing, the visitors have the opportunity to see up-close the variety of the magnificent beaches of the island and, exclusively with our ship, the beach of Agios Georgios, one of the most impressive not only of Symi but of the whole Aegean Sea.

During the short stop in the crystal clear waters of the small bay of Agios Georgios, one can admire the picturesque beach having as a background breathtaking hills of 300m of height. This beach is inaccessible from mainland and for this reason it is highly popular to luxurious yachts.

A few minutes later, leaving behind the Nymo moira, the visitors await the magnificent view of the city of Symi, which looks like an actual painting. Surrounding the natural, horseshoed-like port lie the traditional, colourful houses, which are built amphitheatrically on the rocks.

The arrival time in the city of Symi is around 12.30 and the visitors have enough free time (around 3,5 hours) to get to know the city, walk in the narrow, quaint streets and the Kali Strata, which links the two villages of the city. They can also visit one of the numerous quaint taverns, with a wonderful sea view, where one of the local specialties is served; the famous “simian baby shrimp”, which is fished exclusively in the island. On the warm summer days the visitors can also swim in the crystal clear waters of the island