Jewels of the Aegean - Birmingham

Don't miss this one-of-a-kind Greek island-hopping adventure - the best way to discover the enchanting jewels of the Aegean, where turquoise waters meet charming towns and quaint harbours filled with authentic tavernas. While we stay in two Dodecanese gems of pretty Rhodes and Leros, our scenic inter-island ferry takes in stunning views of even more beautiful islands scattered across the sparkling sea; Symi, Kos and Kalymnos. With a fantastic excursion programme and a specially-designed all-inclusive basis for our customers, everything is taken care of on this exclusive Greek escape, leaving you to simply relax, sightsee and unwind under the warming Mediterranean sun.What's Included?
Includes- Return flights to Rhodes- Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)- Airport transfers in Greece- Scenic ferry crossings from Rhodes to Leros- 14 nights in hotels as specified in Rhodes & Leros (JG4 rating) on an all-inclusive basis- Buffet breakfast, lunch & dinner- Free bar (including beer, wine, soft drinks & a selection of spirits open for 10 hours daily)- Porterage throughout (including ferry journeys)- Excursion to Rhodes Town- Leros Island, Rural Rhodes & Panoramic Rhodes tours- Local produce of Leros tasting- Services of UK Tour Manager*Please note: all optional excursions are available to book in resort.

Itinerary
ItineraryDay 1We fly to Rhodes and transfer to the Sun Beach Hotel, where we spend the next three nights.Day 2 - Rhodes TownWe take a trip into pretty Rhodes Town, with a rich history that stretches back to 408BC and dominated by a sun-weathered, centuries-old castle. Our tour includes a stroll through the spectacular UNESCO-listed Old Town, where mosaics of different influences are on display within the double ring of ancient city walls, resulting in a tangle of storied lanes dotted with relics of the Classical, Ottoman and Italian eras. Along the way, we learn about tales of the island's past such as the siege of Suleiman the Magnificent and the knights of Saint John, a religious and military order who once played a crucial role on Rhodes. We also spend some time at the vibrant bazaar and take a drive through the delightful Mandraki Harbour, surrounded by early 1900 buildings, a medieval tower and three famous windmills.Day 3 - Optional excursion to Lindos*Take a trip to the charming village of Lindos, one of the real treasures of the island and indeed Greece as a whole. Here, an ancient Acropolis dating back to the 6th century BC perches atop a picturesque hill, standing proudly over the Cycladic white-washed houses stacked like sugar cubes and the sparkling turquoise waters below. The village itself is a lovely place for a leisurely wander to discover local life, with cobbled streets dotted with little shops selling honey, olives and lace. Another pretty spot is St Paul' Bay, which offers a unique vantage point to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding harbours and coastline.Please note: a visit to the acropolis itself is not included due to the lack of protective railbars and 303 slippery steps. You may choose to visit and pay the entrance fee under your own responsibility.Day 4 - Travel to LerosAfter checking out of our Rhodes hotel, we take a boat trip to stunning island of Leros. Along the way, we approach several of the Aegean's jewels, including spectacular Symi, Kos, the birthplace of Hippocrates, and Kalymnos, known as the sponge driver's island. After we disembark in Leros, we check into the Crithoni Paradise Hotel, where we stay for 6 nights.Please note: the interisland ferries are not only for tourists but are working ships bringing much-needed supplies from Rhodes. Therefore, there is no time to disembark in Symi, Kos or Kalymnos.Day 5 - Leros IslandA tour of the beautiful island of Leros Island awaits today, characterised by lush landscapes and protected harbours. We take in historical sites such as the Franco-Byzantine fort and imposing Castle of the Virgin Mary on Mount Kasteli, plus the unique Leros War Museum, housed in a 1930s mountain tunnel built by the Italians as an ammunition depot. We also have time in the charming main port of Lakki, pay our respects at the Second World War British Cemetery and visit one of the most iconic symbols of the Dodecanese islands, the whitewashed Agios Isidoros chapel, built on a rock in the pretty cove of Gourna.Day 6 - Day at leisureFree time to relax around the pool, enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the local resort area.Day 7 - Local produce of LerosWe are treated to a delicious tasting of local produce of Leros island, where its agricultural highlights include olives and olive oil, figs, citrus fruits and vegetables. We sample several of these delights along with some authentic wine.Days 8-9 - Days at leisureDay 10 - Return to RhodesToday we catch our return ferry, enjoying the breathtaking vistas before we disembark and check back into the Sun Beach Hotel.Day 11 - Rural VillagesOn this full-day trip we venture into the heart of the island to learn more about traditional Greek life, meandering through verdant forests and pretty mountains to three quaint villages and two striking places of natural beauty. Highlights include a 15th-century Byzantine chapel and the Folklore Museum of Apollonia, home to traditional local costumes, agricultural tools, household items, weapons, newspaper archives, pottery, embroidery and other symbols of local heritage. We also learn the secrets of Greek philosophy, become familiar with original Greek humour and have the opportunity to taste some authentic wine and delicious food.Day 12 - Optional excursion to Symi*After admiring Symi aboard our scenic ferry crossings, today is the perfect chance to retrace our steps and disembark on the stunning island! The harbour here is arguably the prettiest in the Aegean, where colourful villas and striking architecture meets crystal clear waters and forms the capital of the island, Yialos. As well as plenty of time here, the full-day trip also includes a visit to the 18th-century Monastery of Archangel Michael (the island's patron saint and the Dodecanese guardian of sailors) in the pretty village of Panormitis.Day 13 - Panoramic RhodesWe embark on a panoramic tour of Rhodes, taking in picture-perfect scenery on the way to the ancient spa centre of Kalithea. It's no surprise that this area is popular with location scouts, with the comedic Escape to Athena and Agatha Christie's Triangle at Rhodes being partly filmed here. The island was also the setting for one of Hollywood's greatest war films, The Guns of Navarone!Day 14 - Day at leisureDay 15We check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight home.Hotel
Sun Beach Hotel, Ialysos Beach, RhodesJG4 ratingConveniently close to Rhodes town, the well-appointed Sun Beach Hotel boasts a prime location on the Blue Flag Ialysos Beach and offers the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday. There is a wealth of options for our all-inclusive package, including the Artemis main restaurant, Thalassa beachfront restaurant and bar, Dionysos a la carte restaurant, wine and coffee bar, Azure adults-only pool bar, the Orfeas pool snack bar and the Poseidon beach bar, with three outdoor pools to choose from too, plus palm-tree scattered gardens and direct access to the beach with clear blue waters, exclusively for guests of the hotel only.The stylish bedrooms feature air-conditioning, satellite LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, mini fridge and a balcony. There is an entertainment programme covering six days a week (May-mid October) with themed shows such as MAMMA MIA! and Broadway Musicals on offer. If you're looking to stay active during your holiday then you won't be disappointed, with a floodlit tennis court, table tennis tables, beach volleyball court, two mini golf courses and a fitness centre, or you can even rent a bicycle or take part in one of the classes, from aqua-gym and dance to archery and more - this hotel has it all!Crithoni Paradise Hotel, LerosJG4 ratingNestled within 13 acres in the stunning Crithoni Bay near to Agia Marina, the Crithoni Paradise Hotel is a delightful base on the island of Leros. Renowned for its friendly service, the hotel offers a restaurant, bar, breakfast area, library, swimming pool, spa with a sauna and Jacuzzi (treatments are available at an extra cost), gym, jewellery shop, mini market and a pool bar, which provides a lovely spot to watch the beautiful Aegean sunsets. The comfortable en-suite bedrooms feature satellite TV, mini fridge, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi and a balcony, or the hotel has a main terrace to relax on, with a peaceful beach a few minutes away too.Hotel RatingJG4 ratingAccommodation in our JG4 category is of an even higher standard, typically offering a wide range of facilities and services. Bedrooms are designed to make your stay the most comfortable possible and the staff provide a service that reflects the detail and quality. You can also expect higher standards of food and beverages.