The Greek island of Symi (also spelt Simi) is a small island in the Dodecanese group, situated twenty four miles, or about an hour's ferry ride, north-west of Rhodes.
Symi is just eight miles long and only five miles at its maximum width. But if the island's size seems small when measured in miles; measuring it by the time it takes to get from one place to the next, presents a very different picture. This is because Symi is extremely steep and mountainous, its highest point towering over two thousand feet above the sea.
The spectacular nature of Symi's steep coastline, combined with one of the most picturesque harbour towns in Greece, has for many decades, attracted artists, photographers and ramblers, many of whom have taken up residence on the island. Several writers have also made Symi their home.
Lovers of broad sandy beaches within easy reach of their holiday accommodation will be disappointed with Symi, as the mountainous terrain and steep cliffs mean that most of its beaches are small, pebbly coves. However, their natural beauty more than compensates for their lack of sand, whilst their inaccessibility is more than outweighed by the views from the water taxi trips which are required to reach most of them.
Symi is a great island for people who enjoy walking and several of its beaches can be reached within a couple of hours walk from either of the island's main holiday resorts; Yialos and Pedi. Serious walkers with heads for heights, can enjoy challenging treks to the more inaccessible coves. The most demanding can take four to five hours so it is a good idea to start off early in the morning, spend the afternoon on the beach and then catch a water taxi for the return journey back to Yialos or Pedi. As well as the walks across the island to coastal destinations, many inland walks to monasteries, chapels, historic sites and beautiful valleys can also be enjoyed.
The picturesque harbour town of Yialos is the capital of Symi. It is connected to the Chorio (hill town) by Kali Strata, a street of comprising of four hundred steps. The walk up the Kali Strata is rewarded by passing many beautiful, preserved, nineteenth century mansions and by the wonderful views from the top. A medieval castle built by the knights of St John once stood proudly on the site of an ancient Greek acropolis but some imagination is needed to visualise how it would have once looked, dominating Chorio and the valleys below.
Yialos, also referred to as "Symi Town", is a beautiful town by both day and night. Many of its colourful buildings have been carefully restored to their former glory and have a preservation order like the mansions on the Kali Strata. The picturesque and romantic quality of the place has put it on the map of stop off ports for cruise ships. As a result, restaurant and bar prices in Yialos tend to be a bit pricier than elsewhere in the Greek islands. However, several of the local restaurants offer a standard of cuisine more than matching the price.
A holiday in Symi is best enjoyed sometime between April and October. Most of the island's holiday accommodations are only available during this period and during the winter months there is always the risk of ferry services from Rhodes being cancelled because of stormy weather. Even as late as the end of May one year, we had to spend two days in Rhodes waiting for the weather to calm sufficiently for our ferry to set sail.
Although it is possible to reach Symi directly by ferry from Athens, sailing from the port of Piraeus, the journey takes twenty hours. Rhodes is a major Greek Island holiday destination with an international airport, receiving cheap flights from all over Europe including most U.K. airports. The ferry takes only one hour to get from Rhodes to Symi and a hydrofoil does it in half the time. Unless you are masochist or someone who fanatically enjoys inter island ferry journeys, there is little point in using the Athens alternative. This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_550387_29.html.
Greek Island Holiday in Symi
Patmos Island, Greek Island Holiday Destination Revelation
Patmos island is part of the group of Greek Islands known as the Dodecanese. Our holiday base was on the neighbouring, and much larger, island of Samos where we had hopped on a boat to take us across the ten miles or so of the Aegean sea that separates the two islands. A one day visit was all we needed to know that Patmos island was our kind of holiday destination.
We stood in a candle lit cave, our usually sceptical, rational selves already feeling vaguely challenged by the possibility that supernatural phenomena might, after all, exist. The darkness and coolness was a stark contrast to the dazzling brightness and heat of the midday sun we had left to descend into this underworld of prophecies and priests.
The silence of the grotto was suddenly interrupted by a heavily accented voice, speaking in English. "Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six."
Half expecting a beast with 666 stamped on its forehead, we turned to see a bearded man, dressed in the priesthood robes of Greek orthodoxy. He was not looking in our direction and at first it seemed that the biblical quotation had been a soliloquy. But the puzzle of why a Greek would talk to himself in English was solved seconds later, when the first of a party of Americans came into view. As soon as they began to fill the limited space of the cave, we recognised them as being a group of "Christian Tourists" we had seen earlier that day. The spell had been broken; the cave had lost its supernatural feeling, replaced by something as mundane as an evangelical meeting. It was time for us to go back up to the world of dazzling sunlight.
Our visit to the Sacred Grotto of the Revelation, where John the Divine is supposed to have foreseen and written of the Apocalypse, was part of a wonderful day we spent exploring the beautiful island of Patmos.
Above the cave is the Byzantine monastery of Saint John and the wonderful medieval village of Hora. Laying fifteen to twenty minutes walk below Hora is the island's capital, Skala. This charming little port is the largest settlement on Patmos island. Scooters wiz noisily around narrow, street corners where men sit at pavement cafés on rickety chairs playing backgammon games. Pickup trucks, pull up to unload fruit and vegetables without paying any heed to the honking horns of other motorists who shout and gesticulate that their way has been blocked. Yet somehow, in a quintessential, Greek Island way, the noise and bustle blends seamlessly into an atmosphere that is totally laid back and relaxing.
Patmos island has other several other pretty villages that are worth exploring but its most attractive feature is its convoluted coastline. A new vista of wonderful beaches appears from around every headland. Some are sandy and some are adorned in pretty white pebbles. Several are fringed by lush vegetation whilst others are found amongst rocky, yet no less attractive, settings. Some have sun beds and parasols but none have overdone this concession to modern tourism.
Many of the beaches are lapped by very calm, shallow seas, ideal for small children to paddle in but the prettiest beach of all, Psili Ammos, is washed with sometimes, huge waves and is surrounded by wild, beautiful scenery. Psili Ammos is one of the most remote beaches on Patmos island and is twenty minutes walk from Diakofti, the nearest village over a mountain footpath. If you prefer a less energetic way of reaching Psili Ammos, you can hop aboard one of the regular boats from the main port.
Nearly every Greek island offers glorious holiday destinations.<>
by: Stewart
Source: www.island4holiday.com
Grand Bahamas Island: Perfect holiday destination
By: Suzane Gray
If you are exhausted with the grueling work schedule at office, then this could be your perfect time to think for a blissful break from work and go for holiday or vacation. Plan a healthy vacation with your forsaken family and have an utmost pleasure of visiting the best exotic locations of the world. And, while deciding on the destination places, the first name that comes to your mind is the rejuvenating location of grand Bahamas Island. The fascinating sight of several white, crystal clear beaches, beautiful gardens, clean golf courses and amazing shopping opportunities have compelled the visitors to terms this place as traveler's paradise. Moreover, as grand Bahamas Island holds something in the bag for every age group, your entire family and friends are assured of having an unforgettable holiday experience at grand Bahamas island.
Grand Bahamas Island presents a perfect example of natural beauty served with luxuries of contemporary facilities. Every earthy grace is intelligently preserved with style and comfort for the pleasure of the visitors. Water lovers will simply adore grand Bahamas Islands as it banks more than 200 beaches with countless sports activities available for the travelers. You can easily pick up your favorite water sports such as scuba diving, swimming, under water diving fishing and many more. However, those who are not much fond of water activities can also have the luxury of developing your skills on the golf courses. It may be possible that tourists have to pay an extra amount of charge for using this facility but obviously the most intriguing pleasure of playing golf on one of the best courses in the world is indispensable. Grand Bahamas island is blessed with countless nine holes and eight holes golf courses that are widely available at all hotels and motels.
Therefore, if by now you have selected grand Bahamas Island to be your next vacation spot then do not take long to book your cheap holiday package. Many vacation planners and travel agencies are actively providing suitable packages that allow the visitors to explore this amazing site in limited amount of cash. Moreover, as this place is specifically designed for the tourists, one can stay assured with the fact that a specified budget will be able to bear all the expenses. Various hotels and other accommodations are present in this region to suit different budgets of the travelers. As far as the conveyance is concerned, special bus service and facilities are available for the tourists. However, it is still recommended to carry maps and guide books with your belongings.
Most people believe that grand Bahamas Island is a place that invites tourist over and over again with its undying charm and magnificent hospitality. In addition to this, shopping experience at Bahamas is commendable. You may not find the regular metropolitan malls here, but the collection at bazaars and market will not let you complain either. Do not forget to buy junk jewelry, stone stuff and other hand made items for your friends and relatives. In fact the grand Bahamas islands is one place one beautiful location in the world that will make you forget all your problems allow you to live life king size.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_575240_29.html
