ITINERARY

Day 1. Sat, 10/12/2024. Welcome to Rhodes!
Flight to Rhodes. Transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can use the rest of the day to explore the city. 2 nights in a hotel or guesthouse in Rhodes town

Day 2. Sun, 10/13. Lindos: the sanctuary of Athena, the knights' fortress and the traditional village
Transfer to Kalathos, starting point for today's hike. Through a valley with the remains of tombs from the Hellenistic era and on a scenic path along the slope, you arrive at Lindos, one of the most picturesque places in the Aegean Sea. Walk through the traditional 17th/18th century village, where you can visit the Byzantine church of Panagia, decorated with beautiful post-Byzantine frescoes. On the acropolis of the ancient city, where the knights built their castle, is located the sanctuary of Athena Lindia, one of the most important places of pilgrimage of the ancient world. Lindos was the birthplace of Cleobulus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity, and of the sculptor Chares: the Colossus of Rhodes is considered to be his work. Free time for swimming or to continue visiting the village, before taking the bus back to your hotel.
- Hike 1: Kalathos-Lindos, approx. 8.4km, ↑310m ↓295m, 3h, moderate

Day 3. Mon, 10/14. Rhodes Town: the ancient Acropolis, the churches and mosques of the medieval city, the administrative buildings in neo- colonial style at the port of Mandraki
Walking tour in the town of Rhodes, home to the largest remaining medieval city in the Eastern Mediterranean. On Mount Smith, you visit the ruins of the ancient Acropolis, the Temple of Apollo, the stadium and the odeon. You walk across the old town and the citadel, with the Palace of the Grand Master, the archaeological museum and the Street of the Knights. You walk along the port of Mandraki, the naval base of the knights, with the administrative buildings of the period of Italian occupation. In the afternoon, ferry to Kos. 2 nights in Kos
- Hike 2: Walks through the city, approx. 2h30min walking time, elevation ↑100m ↓100m, easy
- (10/14/2024, BLUE STAR Patmos: Rhodes, 4:00 p.m. – Kos, 9:00 p.m.)

Day 4. Tue, 10/15. Cos. Healing gods and physicians of Antiquity: The sanctuary of Asclepius and the plane tree of Hippocrates. The crusaders at Kos: The castle of the Knights of Saint John in the city of Kos. Mt Dikeos, the summit of the island
In the middle of the city of Kos, remains of the ancient city from Greek and Roman antiquity have been unearthed. You pass buildings from the Italian and Ottoman periods to arrive at the Fortress of the Knights of Saint John; the square in front of the castle gate is dominated by the century-old plane tree where Hippocrates, the Greek physician of the classical times, taught. Visit the sanctuary of Asclepius, located on a hill within sight of Asia Minor, not far from the island's capital; it was one of the most important places of pilgrimage in ancient times. Transfer to the traditional village of Zia in the interior of the island and ascent to Mount Dikeos: From the summit chapel we discover a breathtaking panorama of the islands, the sea and the coasts of Asia Minor.
- Hike 3: Zia – Mount Dikeos, approx. 7.4km, round-trip, ↑535m ↓535m, 3h, moderate

Day 5. Wed, 10/16. Kos – Patmos. The acropolis of Kastelli
In the morning, ferry to Patmos. You settle into your hotel in Skala. In the afternoon, loop hike through the village and to the panoramic peak of Kastelli, where the remains of the ancient Acropolis are still visible. 2.5 nights in Patmos
- Hike 4: Skala – Kastelli, approx. 3km, loop, ↑120m ↓120m, 1h, easy to moderate
- (Wed, 10/16/2024, DODEKANISOS EXPRESS: Kos, 10:35 a.m. – Patmos, 1:105 p.m.)

Day 6. Thu, 10/17. Patmos. The beautiful and lonely landscapes of the northeast
Patmos is known for its many coves and beaches, both small and large; several of them are only accessible on foot. And there is hardly a corner where there is not a nice little whitewashed chapel: Don’t forget, we are on a pilgrimage island! Transfer to the village of Kampos. Loop hike through beautiful and solitary landscapes in northeastern Patmos to the chapel of Panagia Geranou; several coves and beaches to choose from for your swim.
- Hike 5: Kampos – Panagia Geranou, approx. 10.1km, loop, ↑340m ↓340m, 4h, moderate

7. Fri, 10/18. Patmos. In the shadow of Revelation. At the top of the island
Hike from Skala to the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John. Walk through the Chora, a traditional village of exceptional beauty. Ascent to the summit of Mt Prophet Elijah which offers an extraordinary panoramic view. The island is a destination for both hikers and/or beach lovers, as well as pious Christian pilgrims; this becomes particularly clear to us during our excursion today. Half of this night we spend in Patmos, the rest on the ferry.
- Hike 6: Skala – Chora – Profitis Ilias, approx. 8km, partially looped, ↑410m ↓410m, 3h, moderate

Day 8. Sat, 10/19/2024. Patmos – Rhodes. Farewell!
Very early in the morning, at 2:30 a.m., departure to Rhodes. You can continue your interrupted sleep in your cabins on the ferry. Arrival in Rhodes. Transfer to the airport and departure
- (Sat, 10/19/2024, BLUE STAR 2: Patmos, 02:30 a.m. – Rhodes, 09:40 a.m.)