Introducing Dodecanese
Strung out along the coast of western Turkey southeast of Greece, like jewels upon an impossibly aquamarine sea, the Dodecanese both entrance and attract passers-by – many of whom return year after year to sample some of the most culturally and geographically diverse islands in the Aegean.
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These 18 islands (including satellites) are an entity unto themselves. Under Italian rule until 1947, they maintain an air of slight separateness and, unsurprisingly, still attract large numbers of curious Italian visitors. The islands are a beguiling mix of sea, mountain and meadow and, because they are all close to one another, can easily be ‘hopped’. They need that extra effort to get to, but the rewards far outweigh the investment.
The spiritually inclined will make a beeline for Patmos. The developed resorts of Rhodes and Kos have beaches and bars galore, while Lipsi and Tilos have seductive beaches, minus the crowds. The far-flung islands of Agathonisi, Arki, Kasos and Kastellorizo await Greek-island aficionados in pursuit of traditional island life, while everyone gapes at the extraordinary volcanic landscape that geological turbulence has created on Nisyros. The islands’ chequered history has also endowed them with a wealth of diverse archaeological remains.
Last updated: Sep 10, 2009
Tips & articles
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Island-hopping in Greece: 5 must-sees in the Dodecanese
14 March 2012
Island-hop your way from the raw natural wonder of Karpathos to the holy sites of Patmos with Lonely Planet Magazine‘s...
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A guide to the eateries of Greece
20 July 2011
Where to eat and drink in Greece? Perhaps the question should be ‘where not?’ Greeks live to eat and drink....
Thorn Tree forum discussion
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RE: Planning ahead trip to Greece
by saikunger 18 May 2012
Thorn Tree is a resource mainly for independent travellers, so you won't find many opinions on tours - except that that people don't think…
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Hotels & Hostels in Dodecanese
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Our Top Picks For Dodecanese
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1 Historical Experience
Viewing Lindos, the most famous of the ancient cities of the Dodecanese
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2 Getting Away from it All
Enjoying Kastellorizo with slow, laid-back life unfussed by mainstream tourism
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3 Chill-out Spot
Relaxing on Astypalea, an island of tranquillity, spirituality and beautiful beaches
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4 Green Haven
Viewing fertile, volcanic Nisyros
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5 Wine Country
Wine Country Indulging in Rhodes’ wine country on the slopes of Mt Attavyros
Our favourite Dodecanese Blogs (beta)
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Travelling Turkey - Our Favourite Posts of 2011
Blog: Turkey's For Life - 12 December 2011
December is whizzing by and we're careering headlong towards 2012, so we thought we'd do what everyone else does at this time of year and take a look back at 12 of our favourite posts of 2011; one for each month.
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To The Greek Island of Meis Once More
Blog: Turkey's For Life - 27 August 2011
Some time back, we did a post about saying farewell to Meis, thinking we weren't going to be seeing this beautiful Greek island again for quite some time. Strange how life takes twists and turns and forces you to eat your words as, on Monday, just 6 months after we were last there, we found ourselves once again on a day trip to Meis to renew our visa.
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Rhodes Old Town - The Ottomans
Blog: Turkey's For Life - 12 August 2011
When I was younger, I was an expert armchair traveller (I still am) and had an image in my head of all Greek islands. They all looked exactly the same and you can probably guess the picture: idyllic, whitewashed buildings with blue-painted doors and window frames, geraniums and bougainvillea surrounding the houses, sheer cliff faces plunging into an azure sea below. Yes, it's that photo that appears on the front of every holiday brochure, guidebook and tourism poster that advertises the Greek islands and it's the island of Santorini.
