Being usually sunny, having an under-average rainfall and with temperatures often reaching over 20-degrees Celsius, one could do a lot worse than spending New Years eve in Rhodes 2011. Although whilst even on the sunny Greek islands the weather cannot be guaranteed, the excitingly spectacular celebrations that take place every New Year on Rhodes can be cast in iron.

Like much of the rest of Greece, New Year is taken seriously on Rhodes and the celebrations prove it. Many free concerts are put on at various venues across the island. One cannot avoid seeing spectacular firework displays light up the night sky at midnight and into the early hours of the morning. Parties, musicals and shows are put on in every city, town and village, most of which do not start until midnight.

Whilst more traditional celebrations also dominate the immensely memorable New Year scene on Rhodes, such as the ceremonial Feast of Saint Basil, whereby the cutting of the New Year’s Eve cake is one of the oldest traditions Rhodes and has maintained a remarkable longevity.

This ritualistic procedure involves a coin being placed inside the cake and the head of the house cutting the cake into slices. The member of the family who receives the piece of cake with the coin in will have a lucky new year.

The theme of ‘luck’ is heavily focused on Rhodes during New Year, as the Greeks believe that good fortune is associated with this time of year.

Another quirky New Year tradition on Rhodes that dates back centuries is that every child who is named Vasilis on the island receives a horde of gifts and wishes of luck and prosperity from friends and family.

Given their fervent belief regarding New Year as a lucky time of the year, gambling at New Year is a popular pastime on Rhodes and is featured heavily in the bars, with card games being played often until dawn.

If you fancy joining in the Rhodes New Year party, which unites the whole island, then be sure to book a ticket to this captivating island this New Year.

For any academics or educationally-minded travellers wanting an excuse to travel to Rhodes in the New Year, then learning about the 2012 World Universities Forum (WUF) that is being held at the University of Aegean, Rhodes, may be just the kind of excuse you need to jet off to sunny Rhodes this January.

Since 2008, the WUF has been held each year at different venues across the world. This fifth WUF meeting is taking place from 8 – 10 January, 2012. The focus of the event is to examine the current status and future possibilities of the University of Aegean. There will be a special focus however on the theme “Beyond the Neoliberal University”.

This theme will explore a wide range of related materials that are affecting universities and students around the world, including “academic capitalism”, privatisation, budget cut and austerity policies, increasing student debt, managerialism, and de-professionalization. The sessions held on Corfu aim to initiate conversation, debate and ideas about how scholars can address the profound impact the neoliberal model is having on university across the globe.

Speaking at the World University Forum 2012 will be Professor Ronald Barnett of the Institute of London, UK, Professor George Ritzer, Department of Sociology of the University of Maryland, USA and Rector Antonio Novoa of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, amongst other distinguished figures in higher education.

So where could you fit in to the World University forum 2012? The organisers of the event are calling upon members of the public to join the discussion and welcome you to submit a presentation proposal for the 2012 Forum. To submit a proposal visit ontheuniversity.com.

Situated in the city of Rhodes, one of the richest cities in the whole of Greece, the University of Aegean is surrounded by natural beauty, history and culture, with a plethora of activities and events put on each week.

In short, if you are concerned about the “neoliberalism” and “academic capitalism” of our universities and would like the opportunity to discuss this imperative subject in the most inspirational of locations possible, then be sure to put the World University Forum 2012 on your New Year itinerary.

Aesthetically, Rhodes boasts immense beauty. From sparsely inhabited mountains covered with forests of pine and cypress on its interior, to rocky shores scattered with citrus fruit, olives and wine grapes on its exterior, Rhodes provides simply breath-taking landscapes.

Climatically Rhodes is mild with temperatures still in their mid-twenties well into October and even November.

If you are looking for relaxing, historical, beautiful and climatically-favourable break this autumn, the island of Rhodes should definitely be a contender.

If its natural beauty, unique history, relaxed atmosphere and enviable climate is not enough to persuade you to take your autumn getaway on Rhodes, perhaps  another 3 reasons to go to Rhodes in autumn may make up your mind.

On September 27, Tourism Day takes place on Rhodes. Throughout the day a grand orchestra of Kallithea Municipality and the orchestra of Stefanos Kazelis play traditional Greek folk music and dances in Faliraki’s main square.

On October 17 this year, the small yet picture-postcard village of Afandou will be holding the annual Aghios Louas celebrations. Throughout the day the whole village comes together for a huge feast followed by live music, dancing and merriment well into the early hours of the morning.

On October 28, 2011, Rhodes will celebrate Ochi Day. Ochi Day dates back to 1940 when the Greek government defied Mussolini’s ultimatum demanding capitulation. Since then the day has been celebrated with school and military parades taking place across the island.

Concert with Alkististis Protopsalti and Stefanos Korkolis

Great Masters Palace, Rhodes Old Town, 12 August 2011 at 21:30

When you combine the wonderful voice of Alkistis Protopsalti with the exceptionally talented hands of pianist Stefanos Korkolis, the net result is musical magnificence.

“What happens with me and Stefanos is something magical. We are like to magnets that attract. The one complements the other,” were the words of Alkistis Protopsalti himself.

If you want to witness, “Two great performers together, one voice, one piano,” be sure to make your way to the Great Masters Palace in Rhodes Old Town on August 12^th, we promise you, you won’t regret it!

Festival of Kremasti and Funfair

Kremesti Village, 14 – 23 August 2011

Three days later on August 15, there is a bank holiday across the nation. The Dormiton of the Virgin Mary – known locally as the ‘Panagia’ – is the third most important religious holiday in Greece, after Christmas and Easter. Whilst the day is traditionally spent at the church, the island of Rhodes boasts a 10-day Penagia Festival. Held in the medieval Rhodes Old Town there could not be a better and more atmospheric setting for such a lively, colourful and eventful occasion – definitely one not to be missed.

Timiou Stavrou Festival

Kallithies, 13 – 14 September 2011

If you want to experience some truly traditional Greek dancing, then check out the Timiou Stavrou festival on 13 and 14 of September. Held in the beautiful coastal village of Kalithies, the Timiou Stravou festival celebrates the Exaltation of the True Cross and is celebrated with music, dancing, feasting, parades, costumes, activities for all the family, and merriment well into the early hours of the morning.

The picture-perfect village of Kalithies is an idyllic place to discover a huge slice of Greek history and culture, but none more so than when the Timiou Stavrou festival is held.

Rhodes 2 bedroom villa, Demetrius (pictured above), is available for September. With the beach close by, spectacular views and pool, this would be a perfect base this summer.

If you are determined to take a late-spring break to a Greek island but are unsure which one to go to, Rhodes may prove a delectable choice at this time of the year.

During the last weeks of May, Rhodes Town holds an annual Medieval Rose Festival, and although the Old City is picturesque and beautiful at the best of times, the hundreds of stunning roses strewn on the old stone walls, puts a vibrant splash of colour to the city, optimising its beauty and uniqueness.

This fascinating festival attracts tourists of all ages, ethnicities and tastes, who line Rhodes medieval streets all eager to witness the multitude of spectacular activities taking place. Children visiting the festival particularly enjoy the chasing of the dragon event, whereby both children and adults play a series of adventurous games, solve numerous intriguing puzzles and many a medieval riddle.

Various seminars, tours, presentations and medieval symposiums are put on throughout the festival, of which everybody involved in dressed up in medieval costumes, such as witches, knights, fairies, wizards, jesters and alchemists, all of whom wonder around in an amalgam of group parades as well as putting on highly impressive and entertaining solo displays.

This mesmerising Greek festival is the brain child of Anna Achiola, the creative director of the festival. Talking to Neos Kosmos, Ms Achiola commented:

“I think the idea existed in my mind from a very young age. Since I was a child, I loved the castles of Rhodes and dreamed of a revival of the Medieval Age, when all these stories about knights, ladies and witches were very real.”

Few could deny that the most characteristic and impressive site Rhodes is blessed with is its medieval old port. It is of little wonder that with its Street of the Knight, Palace of the Grand Master and the Old Town, that Rhodes Town is considered to be one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Given its global notoriety as being an exceptionally well preserved medieval town, it only seems right that Rhodes Town is home to one of the most spectacular and fascinating medieval events in the world.

For more information on what has been described as being one of the top three events on Rhodes not to be missed, visit the Medieval Rose Festival official website.

Being one of the southernmost islands in Greece the climate is hot and dry. The temperature on Rhodes remains above 25 degrees from May to October with the months of July and August reaching peaks of 40 degrees during the daytime. Refreshing breezes often blow during these hotter months, and the sea is always a very pleasant temperature for bathing.

There are some exciting events planned for 2010 on the island…

Map of Rhodes, Greece

The Annual Flower Parade May 31st, 2010

On the last Sunday in May every year, the people of Rhodes Town take to the streets to celebrate the coming of summer with a spectacular floral parade.

The Annual Flower Parade May 31st, 2010

Dressed up in both traditional (and less traditional!) fancy dress, they decorate the main street, Mandraki, with hundreds of flowers. Costumes also involve a large number of flowers, both in the hair and pinned to clothing.

A series of decorated floats parade down Mandraki to the harbour area in old Rhodes Town, and the route is lined with stalls selling local food and plenty of the island’s wine. This is a spectacular start to the season.

Rhodes Rock June 16th – 23rd, 2010

There are two shows at St Paul’s Bay on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20th June with a classic rock DJ & live bands playing the music of ZZ Top, Foreigner, Journey, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix & AC/DC.

On Monday 21st June Think Floyd will be playing in front of the Ancient Amphitheatre in the village.

Rhodes Rock June 16th – 23rd, 2010

Tempted… and now need some accomodation?

Check out our three of our favourite villas with pools in Rhodes below:

Paparouna (Lindos) -  4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Air Conditioning,  Beach 500m, Sleeps 8

Paparouna Villa, Rhodes

Galia (Lindos) – 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Air Conditioning, Beach 650m, Sleeps 8

 

Galia Villa, Rhodes

Epavlis II (Tsambika) – 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Air Conditioning, Sleeps 6

Epavlis II Villa, Rhodes

 

 

Here’s a summary of what each contains (click on the ‘Discover xxxx’ links to see the full range on the website or alternatively please call us to request your own copy):

Discover Spain, the Balearics and Portugal covers Catalunya, Andalucia, Galicia, Mallorca, Menorca, Northern Portugal and the Algarve.

Discover Spain, the Balearics and Portugal

Discover France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia covers South West France, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, Lazio, Gozo and Istria.

Discover France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia

Discover Greece and Turkey covers Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Skopelos, the Peloponnese and Turkey.

Discover Greece and Turkey

To order your copies or enquire about a paticullar destination please call to speak to one of our area experts.

If you get bored of the award winning sandy beaches then don’t worry, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice for things to do and see on the island. Hire a car and explore this stunning island.

Acropolis in Lindos Town

47 kilometres south of the capital lies the ancient town of Lindos and the ruins of a Knights Castle and the breathtaking Acropolis, which was dedicated to the goddess Athena (originally built around 1100 BC and rebuilt in the 6th century BC). The area is swamped in history and we suggest you join a tour to get the most out of the visit.

The Ancient Acropolis in Lindos

The Palace of the Grand Masters

Situated in the heart of the old quarter of Rhodes town you’ll find the impressive Palace of the Grand Masters, originally built in the 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes who occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1522. The Palace was largely destroyed in 1856 by an ammunition explosion and then later rebuilt as a grandiose pseudo-medieval style holiday residence for Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, and later for Benito Mussolini, whose name you can still see on a large plaque near the entrance – interestingly enough, neither of these leaders ever visited it!

The palace is now a stunning museum showcasing much of Rhodes’ fascinating history.

Palace Of The Knights, Rhodes

The Valley of the Butterflies

Situated in the Petaloudes Valley, the Valley Of The Butterflies is in fact the third most popular attraction on Rhodes. Between the months of July and August the valley fills with millions of butterflies who congregate to mate, then lay eggs in September. They swarm the storax trees thanks to their pungent smells of vanilla. The butterflies are in fact Jersey Tiger Moths with dark wings when rested, that become red when in flight.

With picturesque walks, winding rivers, waterfalls, rustic ancient bridges and resting places, the site is truly worth a visit. There’s shade from the sun and we definitely recommend taking a picnic or enjoying one of the cafes, which sell sandwiches as well as traditional Greek foods.

The Valley of the Butterflies