The tides of empire have washed over Rhodes many times over the centuries, leaving Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques and the magnificent medieval heart of Rhodes Town, former base of the crusading Knights of St John. The gateway to Mandraki Harbour is said to have been guarded in antiquity by the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now no more than a whispered legend.
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands, just across the water from Turkey, and is also known for its glorious sandy beaches, the sugarcube houses of Lindos and the amazing Valley of the Butterflies. The less visited interior rewards intrepid explorers with forests, castles and frescoed churches, while Prasonisi, at the southern tip of the island, is one of Europe’s best spots for windsurfing.
