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Wine Excursion

Excellent

Duration

6 hours

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

4 people

Languages

English

Overview

You will be able to taste a big variety of fresh wines. At each stop you may be also given small portions of appetizers to complement your taste of the wine. You will be able to taste also some olives, cheese and home-baked bread from the region.

Our Wine Excursion will start from the Old Town, the Mandraki harbour together with the area where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. Then we will visit the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes. Next in our program is the famous Fillerimos Hill. For the summer months we can substitute this stop with a refreshment stop at the Butterfly Valley.

If you want to see both attractions we will need to extend the duration of the excursion. From there we will head toward the mountain village of Emona for winetasting. Then we will return back to your starting point.

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rhodes Old Town
  • Mandraki Harbor - Colossus area & Church of the Annunciation
  • Monte Smith Hill & Acropolis of Rhodes
  • Filerimos Hill or Butterfly Valley
  • Embona Village

Itinerary

Stop 1 - Rhodes Old Town
Stop 1 - Rhodes Old Town

We will start our excursion with a drive around the walls of the Old Town of Rhodes – the biggest inhabited medieval town in Europe. It was built in 1300s from the knights of the order of St. John. The Medieval Town of Rhodes is inscribed in the World Heritage Sites List of UNESCO. This list recognises the exceptional value of a cultural site so that it may be protected for the benefit of all Humanity.

If you want we can extend the duration of the excursion with 1 hour and you can have also some free time to go through the Old town and explore it on your own.

Stop 2 - Mandraki Harbour & Annunciation Church
Stop 2 - Mandraki Harbour & Annunciation Church

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.

Stop 3 - Colossus of Rhodes
Stop 3 - Colossus of Rhodes

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.

Stop 4 - Rhodes Acropolis
Stop 4 - Rhodes Acropolis

Now we will continue through the city and see more of the great Italian architecture. We will stop for pictures also at the Northern 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.

Stop 5 - Filerimos Hill
Stop 5 - Filerimos Hill

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.

Stop 5 - Butterfly Valley
Stop 5 - Butterfly Valley

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.

Stop 6 - Embona Village - Wine Tasting
Stop 6 - Embona Village - Wine Tasting

Our next stop is the picturesque and lively village of Embona.

Winery in Rodos follows a tradition of 2,400 years! In order to eliminate poorer quality grapes, Rodians destroyed vineyards on the Lindos – East Coast side, where the climate is too hot and dry and now all the growth is concentrated on the western side, around the village of Embonas. Here many small vineyards are located in specific cooler microclimates where granite stones in the soil help by increasing humidity which in turn improves the flavor.

Embona village is located on the slopes of Mt. Ataviros (Rhodes’s highest peak at 3,986 feet) is where you’ll find Rhodes’s wine country. Embonas is considered to be the wine capital of Rhodes. The area specializes in two wines. Athiri is a vibrant and fruity white wine that has tropical fruit and honey tones. It pairs well with poultry, pork, pasta, grilled fish, and white cheeses. Mandilaria is a rich and intense red wine that has hints of pomegranate and pairs well with grilled and stewed meats, spicy sauces, and mild cheeses. Other popular reds in the area include Xinomavro, Cabernet, Grenache, and Syrah. “Athiri”, a very old local variety of white grape, is grown in vineyards on lower slopes below Embonas while mountain regions produce a better quality of the red grape.
Embonas may not have any picturesque architectural features; however, it is one of the most popular suggestions for a trip inland in Rhodes that combines folklore, a lively atmosphere, and good food. Here we will stop at least at three different winery producers where you will be able to taste a big variety of fresh wines. At each stop, you may be given small portions of appetizers to complement your taste of the wine. You will be able to taste also some olives, cheese and home-baked bread from the region.

The wine tasting is absolutely free and you aren’t obliged to purchase anything. Of course, a bottle of wine will be a wonderful souvenir from Rhodes, or maybe a bottle of original olive oil with no conservatives, or just a small bag of mountain herbs for your tea in the winter.

All products are fully natural and with origin from this gorgeous mountain village.

Stop 7 - Return Trip

We will return back to the city of Rhodes and we can leave you directly to your hotel or ship or at any point of interest

Included/Excluded

  • Private vehicle - fully air-conditioned
  • Local knowledgeable drivers
  • 100% Return to the ship - hotel
  • Baby seat/booster upon request
  • Free WiFi
  • Entrance fees
  • Meals/Food expenses

Durations

5 – 7 hours

Languages

English

Excursion's Location

FAQs

Excursion Note
There are Butterflies in the Butterfly Valley only for the period between end of June till mid of September. If you prefer we can sibstitue the stop at Filerimos hill with a visit to the Valley. To see both places we need to increase the duration of the excursion to 7 hours.

We can also include a stop for fabolous lunch in a superb tavern in the mountain village or on the West coast line, right next to the sea.
Recommended time of visit
From April till October
Departure Time
We can start at any time which is convenient for you
Meeting Point
Your driver will meet you at the reception desk of your hotel or if you are coming on a cruise – at the pier, at the correct dock, with a sign on the car showing your name. We are licensed to get into the dockside and the car will be waiting for you just outside your ship.
Complementaries
We suggest to wear comfortable shoes, sun protection - hat, glasses and UV cream. Also it would be good to have a camera to catch your memorable trip. Water and snacks is always a good idea!
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