DAY 1 WEDNESDAY – OCTOBER 12

Arrival to Rhodes where you will be met at the airport and transferred to one of the festival host hotels. Check in at the hotel and remainder of the day at your leisure to explore the local surroundings. In the evening you will take part in cooking lesson made up of 3 different authentic local recipes, exclusively presented at the terrace of the main restaurant with an amazing view to Aegean Sea lead by the resort chefs. Recipes include:

“Pitaroudia” for starters, a traditional Rhodian appetizer (fritters) made of flour, water and with different adding of vegetables or chick peas and a lot of herbs served with yogurt sauce & aromatic tomato sauce.

“Kappama” Lamb with rice & herbs for main course.

“Diples” for dessert. The dish is one of the traditional desserts offered as a treat for weddings in Dodecanese. It is fried dough pastries served with honey, walnuts, cinnamon & sesame.

All followed by Welcome Dinner.

DAY 2 THURSDAY – OCTOBER 13

Breakfast at the hotel (Aegean or American style) and depart for a guided tour of the Medieval City of Rhodes, the oldest inhabited medieval city in Europe! After a panoramic drive along the coast passing the Acropolis of Rhodes, you will enter the ancient city and visiting the Palace of the Grand Masters, the actual headquarters of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem and through the famous street of the Knights conveying an excellent impression of the medieval times. Stroll through the labyrinth of the Medieval city you will discover byzantine churches, mosques since the Ottoman occupation of the island as well as a synagogue still operating, in the heart of the area called “La Juderia”. At the end of our walking tour, you will have free time to explore Rhodes Old Town. Here you will find many shops and cafes to enjoy and shop for local delicacies such as Greek herbs and olive oil, soaps, smoothies with local fresh fruits.

During your free time you may complete your visit on your own, with a nice cool refreshment or a local beer or even a nice cold coffee in a typical café of the town, do not forget your swim wear as we will visit Ronda beach for swimming and wine tasting and a late lunch before returning to the resort. Dinner late evening at the resort.

DAY 3 FRIDAY – OCTOBER 14

Breakfast at the hotel and depart for a guided scenic drive down the east coast to Lindos.

Lindos is the regions’ iconic fishing village and one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the island. At first sight everybody inevitably stops to admire the natural landscape which is enhanced by the beautiful, whitewashed houses embracing the rock of Lindos with the Acropolis enthroned above. The view is breathtaking! You will have the chance to stroll through the narrow alleyways and climb some 300 steps up to the Acropolis of goddess Athena where you will be given a guided tour.

Following our tour of the Acropolis visiting we will move on to the St. George Church for a photo opportunity of the church and vistas. Lastly we will participate in an exclusive Melekouni cooking class in a traditional captain’s lodge. Leaving Lindos, we will enjoy time in Saint Paul’s Bay, hidden at the back of the village for lunch with Greek traditional plates meze style on the beach at the Tambakio restaurant. Be sure to pack your swimwear as we will have time to swim in the crystal clear Aegean sea.

After sunset, return to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 4 SATURDAY – OCTOBER 15

Full day at leisure to enjoy the resort amenities or activities. – OR choose from the two optional tours:

Option 1: Aegean Marine Biology- Blutopia Marine Park

Situated within one of the most important marine ecosystem of the Mediterranean sea, on the west side of the Greek island of Rhodes, Blutopia Marine Park is Greece’s first and only private marine park and the natural habitat of an amazing array of fish, large marine mammals, rare underwater plants and algae in one of the world’s most flourishing ecosystems.

This tour explores four islands delving into marine life, biodiversity and conservation issues. Participants get up close and personal with aquatic life in its natural habitat, as they snorkel and dive with more than 50,000 sea bream, graceful rays, tuna weighing up to 250 pounds, and endemic Mediterranean seagrass.

Blutopia’s friendly team of professional marine biologists and passionate ecologists lead this full day’s excursion, exploring uninhabitable rock islets with secluded bays. Masks, fins and snorkels are provided.

The day begins with a transfer from your hotel to the Kamiros Skala port of Rhodes to board the private boat. The cruise swings past the islets of Makri and Stroggili en route to Alimia, where a working marine farm offers a rare opportunity to feed and later swim with thousands of fish. If ocean conditions cooperate (as they usually do), there is a 90% chance to swim with frolicking bottle-nose dolphins.

The last stop is the island of Halki, where you’ll indulge in a fish fry with sea bream, octopus and squid at one of the many tavernas by the sea. In addition, the comfortable boat is stocked with delicious Greek treats including fresh fruit and other snacks, soft drinks and cold beer.

This is an excursion not to be missed on your Rhodes adventure. Besides sharing many unforgettable memories, the Blutopia staff takes photographs and video of guests above and below the surface of the sea. Usually, by evening the photos have been emailed to you.

Option 2: Wine and Dine Rhodes Style

Begin the day with a visit to the Triantafillou Winery where we will enjoy wine tasting and a cooking class at a world class family estate. As we arrive at the estate, we find ourselves between rows of vineyards and greeted by the owner & host.

First things first, wine is “made” in the vineyards, therefore we need to understand why that matters and which choices in viticulture impact the final product the most, we take a stroll in the vineyards and with the help of our guide to better understand the cycle of the vine through the seasons. After having our time under the sun, we take shade next to the outdoor bar overlooking the vineyards and we are initiated in the simple yet interesting technique of wine tasting. During the sampling of the wines, we discuss what happens in the winery, from the moment the grapes are brought in.

Once the thirst is quenched, we take a step in Greek cuisine, with the help of the cook of the estate we learn how to make simple, yet delicious traditional dishes of the land from fresh & local ingredients. This should get the appetite going for sure, so it’s time to have lunch. The team behind this experience believes, that a tapas style menu, “Mezedes” in Greek is most adapted for discovery. After having tasted the wines and discussed their characters, it’s up to us to mix & match them with the multitude of Greek dishes available at our table.

Finally, a good relaxing meal requires a good digestive, and that’s what “Tsipouro” does best. We make our way indoors for a last bit of information about distillation, next to the only operational professional distillery in Dodekanissos. Vine, wine, a nice meal and a strong finish, it’s time to head back to the resort.

DAY 5 SUNDAY – OCTOBER 16

Morning to relax and enjoy the resort amenities before departing after an early lunch for the Asklipio Village, a traditional village built amphitheatrically and stands out for its unique natural surroundings. The most important feature of Asklipio is the Medieval Castle which was built by the Knights of Saint John in the13th century. The white mass of small traditional houses is a typical example of the folklore architecture. In the heart of the village of Asklipio lies the Byzantine church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The church’s preserved frescoes are a narration of the visions of St. John the Theologian, who according to tradition, was inspired in the Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos.

The iconographic cycle of the book of Revelations of John is rarely found outside of Mount Athos. Dating from 1060, this church was built in the shape of a cross but was extended later in the century to accommodate larger congregations. In this lovely mountainous village you will get a true culinary experience with cooking classes lead by the locals where you will learn to cook according to the local tradition. After class, the evening will consist of the Panigiri Culinary Festival Feast featuring authentic traditional homemade food served while a Greek folk band sings and plays traditional Greek instruments- followed by a long evening of dancing and celebration under the stars. Τhe Panigiri Festival is centuries old and full of tradition and culture- a bucket list experience that should not be missed.

DAY 6 MONDAY – OCTOBER 17

Breakfast at the hotel and depart for the port to venture off to the Island of Symi. The enchanting Symi is located appriximately 25 miles northwest of Rhodes. Rekindling images of traditional Greek island lìfe, Symi a must-visit destination for visitors to Greece’s Dodecanese island group.

The optional tour begins with hotel pickup at in the morning and transfer to the port of Mandraki to the less-visited sanctuary. Charming pastel-colored homes and shops climb the hillside above Symi’s Gialos Harbor, the bustling port with its tavernas, bars, painted fishing boats and kafenions (serving murky Greek coffee). Yalos village is divided into two main parts: The old town of Chorio sits up the hill. Guided tours of the narrow streets include traditional sponge and spice shops.

After you’ve wandered the meandering streets of the island’s only enclave, Saint George beach beckons with its turquoise waters. Enjoy a swim, then a traditional Greek meal on the boat. Spend the rest of the day on your own, strolling, shopping and taking inspiring photos for memories that will follow you back home.

At 6 p.m., the boat departs Symi for Rhodes Mandraki port, where guests are transferred back to their accommodations. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, wear comfortable walking shoes, pack swimwear and bring your camera. Farewell dinner at resort.

DAY 7 TUESDAY – OCTOBER 18

Transfer to the airport. Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport

Add a stop-over in Athens or Israel after the festival! Click here for details on the Israel add-on extension.

OPTIONAL ATHENS ADD-ON

Day 1:

Arrival to Athens, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Check in at the hotel and prepare for late afternoon/evening tour.

Your evening begins with a short panoramic drive through the city center and on the slopes of the sacred hill you will be able to see, admire and
take photos of the illuminated Acropolis.

Then a pleasant walk through the narrow picturesque streets of Plaka, the old city, will bring you at a Typical Greek Tavern where you will enjoy your
dinner following a floor show with live music and Greek Folk Dances in traditional costumes.

The mesmerizing and graphic Plaka was developed mostly around the ruins of Ancient Agora of Athens in an area that has been continuously inhabited
since antiquity. During the years of Ottoman rule, Plaka was the known as the “Turkish quarter of Athens”, and the seat of the Turkish Voivode
(Governor).

During the Greek War of Independence, Plaka like the rest of Athens, was temporarily abandoned by its inhabitants because of the severe battles that
took place in 1826. The area was repopulated during the first years of King Otto’s rule. Plaka had a sizable Arvanite community till the late 19th
century, which led some to refer to it as the Arvanite quarter of Athens.

Day 2:

Transfer from the hotel to the airport.