Twin Centre Rhodes and Tilos

Day 1 - Welcome to Rhodes

On arrival private taxi transfer to the Terinikos Apartments (20 mins.) for a three night stay in a studio on a self catering basis. Terinikos comprises 20 studios and apartments and are fronted by lush gardens around an attractive swimming pool. It is family-run and located in a quiet residential area in the small resort of Ialysos close to the beach and a wide choice of taverna restaurants and cafes.

Spend the afternoon settling in - perhaps a dip in the pool, take a 5 minute stroll down to the beach or explore the village and choose which taverna restaurant to dine in that evening.

Overnight at the Terinikos Apartments.

Terinikos Hotel Apartments, Rhodes, Greece

Day 2-3 - Explore Rhodes

If you can tear yourself away from the pool and beach there is plenty to see and do from here. Ialysos was one of Rhodes’ three ancient kingdoms and above the modern village is the site of Filerimos, as well as a Byzantine monastery. It is up the hill - steep in parts - but you can get the Road Train from the beach area for much of the way and a taxi for the last part if desired.

A trip to Rhodes Town is a must. Only 7 kms away it is easily reached by bus or taxi. Rhodes Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it can seem as if the world has indeed come to see it! But in its narrow lanes, away from the busy commercial heart, it is not difficult to imagine the ghosts of the past. Inside its massive walls, the Crusading Knights of St. John had their headquarters for over 200 years. Although the Ottomans were here for twice that time, it is the silent presence of the Knights that holds sway still.

There is also the possibility to take a guided day-tour of the island, or alternatively hire a car and explore independently - the famous whitewashed village of Lindos, crowned by its ancient acropolis high above the sea, is just an hour's drive away and highly Instagrammable!

Rhodes Old Town, Rhodes, Greece

Day 4 - Transfer to Tilos

Transfer to the port for the morning ferry to Tilos (1-2 hours depending on the vessel) for your 4 night stay at the Irini Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis This small family-run hotel stands in a quiet residential area just 2-3 minutes walk from both the beach and the centre of Livadia. The hotel has 23 rooms set in semi-tropical gardens of rose, hibiscus, palm and banana trees. Within the gardens is the swimming pool (12m x 8.5m) - still a rarity on Tilos.

Overnight at the Irini Hotel, Tilos

Irini Hotel, Tilos, Greece

Day 5-7 - Free time on Tilos

Tiny Tilos (pop. 550), midway between Rhodes and Kos, is an 'away-from-it-all' haven and leads the way in environmental protection and eco-tourism. The island is the first in Greece to become fully self sufficient in energy and is on course to also be the first zero-waste island.

The island’s 64 sq kms, together with its surrounding archipelago of 16 uninhabited islets, have been designated an Important Bird Area, an EU-registered Special Protection Area and a Natura 2000 site amongst others. What this all means is that visitors here will find a protected natural environment with a wonderful diversity of flora and fauna, especially birds (there are 155 documented wild species, including the rare Eleonora’s Falcon). Tilos is therefore a paradise for walkers and now boasts 67kms of signed walking trails (many being restored cobbled mule paths) which run through untamed countryside, linking rugged mountains with fertile valleys of wild flowers, pine, oak and almond watered by the island’s many underground springs. From the heights, the views to six neighbouring islands and Turkey are stunning.

And there are certainly things to explore out and about – some 200 Byzantine country chapels, seven Crusader castles, abandoned villages, a Byzantine monastery, and (bizarrely) a cave full of dwarf elephant remains, the last of their kind to survive in Europe. The small museum here is a must-visit. Or simply stay put, relax and enjoy the attractions of pretty Livadia. This sleepy, traditional and overwhelmingly friendly little village boasts a lovely long pebble beach, shaded by tamarisk trees, lapped by the clearest of seas and backed by a car-free walkway. It also has some dozen very good tavernas and the same number of café-bars. Tilos has 19 beaches, many of which can be reached only on foot or by boat as they have been purposefully left road-free.

Tilos, Greece

Day 8 - Day of departure

Ferry to Rhodes and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Plane