Mandraki port is situated in the new part of the town where you will see some very impressive monumental buildings built by the Italians. Here at the harbour entrance is believed that once stood the great statue of the Colossus of Rhodes – one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.

We will stop for pictures of the area and you will be able also to enter and see the Church of the Annunciation which is the most famous church in Rhodes Town. Located north of Mandraki, the old port of the town, this church was constructed in the 1920s, during the Italian occupation of the island.

The Church of the Annunciation celebrated on March 25th with a large religious festival.

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes was a gigantic statue of the god Helios. Erected by the sculptor Chares of Lindos, it was under construction from 292 BC till 280 BC and was considered as the tallest building of its time, standing at 30 feet.

Built in memory of the defeat of the Roman Army, which was trying to take control of Rhodes, this giant statue represented a man holding a bow on one hand and a torch of light on the other. The statue of Colossus was put in the port, with its two feet standing on the edges of the entrance. The ships would pass under him. But in an area prone to earthquakes, the inevitable soon happened.

In 226 BC, only 56 years after its construction, an earthquake hit Rhodes and the statue fell down. Snapping at the knees, the statue fell onto the land and broke in giant pieces.

A sad end for what must have been a majestic work of art.

Our next stop will be the Aquarium of Rhodes which is located at the northernmost tip of the Island, a few steps from the city center. It constitutes a circular area with 13 big tanks and 15 small ones.

These tanks host different kinds of sea species, such as sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, seals, mollusks, echinoderms, crabs and many kinds of fish. Apart from these tanks, there is also a big underground area that serves for stocking new species or sea animals that need special treatment and protection. This place is frequently used to hospitalize sea turtles and seals from the nearby waters.

Although it is not as big as many modern aquariums, the aquarium creates an underwater atmosphere that captivates visitors of all ages and the air conditioning ensures that it is a cool and refreshing place to be, especially on a hot summer day.

Now we will continue through the city and see more of the great Italian architecture. We will stop for pictures also at the Northen tip of the island where the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas meet each other.

Then we will drive to Monthe Smith Hill where you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views of the city and the seashore, and also visit the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the impressive open-air ancient Stadium and the Amphitheatre.

Next in our program is the famous Filerimos Hill. This place was used as the citadel of the ancient town of Ialyssos. The hill includes the foundations of the temple of Athena Polias, an Early Christian basilica, and a small subterranean Byzantine church.

There is a road that sets off from the square that leads to the westernmost point of the hill. In order to reach this imposing cross and see the splendid view, you need to walk along a pathway known as "Golgothas".

It is tree-sheltered, with a series of shrines and scenes of the Holly Passion. At the end of the road of Martyrdom stands an 18 meters tall cross raised by the Italians in 1930.

For the Summer period between the end of June and mid-September, we can substitute the stop at Filerimos Hill with the beautiful Valley of Butterflies. The valley is a natural reserve, unique of its kind.

The coolness of this place, the flowing waters and the shade of the trees make it ideal to rest, especially during the hot summer days. Small, wooden bridges cross the river and an uphill path leads to the Monastery of Panagia Kalopetra.

Your driver will wait for you on the other side of the park. If you want to see both Filerimos Hill and the Butterfly Valley than we need to increase the duration of the excursion.

The next stop will be at “Rhodes Ostrich Farm” and Zoo farm. Take a relaxing walk in nature, visit the animals and maybe take a pony ride. Meet the largest living species of bird. Ostriches are swift – running African birds and the height of the males is about 2,5 meters (!).

Ostriches, ponies, llamas, exotic pets and much much more wait for you to visit them! Come closer and watch them eating, running, sleeping and playing. Come closer and feed them, touch them and take a photo!