The excursion includes licensed Guides and deluxe motor coaches and commences with a visit to the enchanting site of the Valley of the Butterflies. This is a lush green valley, with a little river running through it. The site is beautifully arranged, with little wooden bridges, stone steps and an uphill path which leads to the Monastery of the Virgin of Kalopetra, built in 1784. The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique natural park, where each year, from June to September, thousands of multi colored butterflies appear. They live here, attached to the tree trunks, living from the sap, then lay their eggs and multiply. The valley is a wonderful place to walk in, under the shade of the trees. The characteristic scent of the pine resin, which attracts the butterflies, the coolness from the abundantly flowing waters, make this a little paradise even in the hot days of midsummer.
The excursion continues with the Panoramic Drive over the Monte Smith Hill which offers a magnificent view of the Aegean and the City of Rhodes. The drive continues past the ancient Rhodes Acropolis dedicated to Zeus Polieus, Athena Polias and Pythian Apollo. Four columns of this Acropolis have been reconstructed. The final drive-by is past the 2nd century BC ancient Stadium and Theatre. Both the Stadium and Theatre have been restored. From there the excursion continues to the D’ Amboise Gate of the Medieval City where the guests disembark and on foot visit the Grand Masters Palace, the most imposing building of medieval Rhodes. It was originally built in the 14th Century, but demolished by an explosion in 1856. It was restored in 1939, during the Italian occupation. The excursion continues down ‘The Street of the Knights,’ which, in spite of the restoration of its buildings, has remained untouched by the passage of 500 years, since it was originally built in the 14th century. The Gothic order predominate the entire street. The Inns of the various ‘Tongues’ stand in a row, with impressive arched doorways, their emblems carved above them.
The excursion continues with the Panoramic Drive over the Monte Smith Hill which offers a magnificent view of the Aegean and the City of Rhodes. The drive continues past the ancient Rhodes Acropolis dedicated to Zeus Polieus, Athena Polias and Pythian Apollo. Four columns of this Acropolis have been reconstructed. The final drive-by is past the 2nd century BC ancient Stadium and Theatre. Both the Stadium and Theatre have been restored. From there the excursion continues to the D’ Amboise Gate of the Medieval City where the guests disembark and on foot visit the Grand Masters Palace, the most imposing building of medieval Rhodes. It was originally built in the 14th Century, but demolished by an explosion in 1856. It was restored in 1939, during the Italian occupation. The excursion continues down ‘The Street of the Knights,’ which, in spite of the restoration of its buildings, has remained untouched by the passage of 500 years, since it was originally built in the 14th century. The Gothic order predominate the entire street. The Inns of the various ‘Tongues’ stand in a row, with impressive arched doorways, their emblems carved above them.
