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.

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.

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.

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.