Greece
The beautiful islands of Crete and Rhodes offer you the chance to experience the warm hospitality that is simply Greek. From snow capped mountains to golden sandy beaches, a wealth of historical sights, ensures the Greek islands has something for everyone.
Crete:
Crete is an island for everyone. Best known for its ancient remains and fine sandy beaches, it also rewards walkers and hikers with some breathtaking scenery. Crete is an exciting sunshine destination where you will enjoy a warm welcome on the largest and most southerly of the Greek islands. Crete is full of myth and legend, especially in the ancient city of Knossos.
There are resorts on the island to relax and 'get away', such as Agila Pelagia and Gouves. If you are looking for something more lively then Malia is the place to be.
Activities for visitors are many and varied, but the coastline and wide range of watersports are popular. Lace, woven carpets and other traditional crafts can be bought, often at little road side stalls all over the country. Crete's heritage is evident when visiting the ancient ruins, old buildings and local tavernas. A whole host of tavernas are readily available, all serving freshly cooked fish straight from the sea to your plate. Why not have a seat, watch the sun set over the harbour, while enjoying a local beer.
The unit in Crete, Mesogeios, has to be seen to be believed. Not only do they offer first class dialysis treatment, they also have a superb swimming pool complex with a bar and restaurant for the use of patients and their families. The ethos of the unit is to ensure that patients have the best possible holiday while visiting this beautiful island. The unit is a 15 minute drive from Heraklion, but we can arrange transport to and from dialysis (milage limit applies) all covered by the EHIC card. ( See our sub-page 'Mesogeios' for more information )
Rhodes:
The unit in Rhodes is in the beautiful resort of Kalithea on the north east tip of Rhodes, 7km from Rhodes Town. Kalithea was developed as a spa resort because of its healing spring waters and its Italian built baths are at present being renovated. With some of the most luxurious hotels on the Island and the new dialysis unit is accessible via footbridge to the 5* Aldemar Paradise Mare Hotel, Kalithea is the ideal destination. A visit to Rhodes Town is an essential part of any holiday to the Island. The medieval citadel is a magnificent sight and once inside its walls it is easy to get lost in its labyrinth of alleyways and tiny squares.
Seven springs is one of the most charming destinations on Rhodes Island. It offers a cool, magical landscape, even in the heat of the high summer. Your whole family will surely enjoy having an ice cream or soft drink in the cafe restaurant next to the streamlet while observing the ducks, peacocks and other animals found in the area.
The Aquarium is located in the basement of the Hydro Biological Station of Rhodes and offers visitors the chance to have a close up view of the marine life id the Eastern Mediterranean. There is a wide range of interesting specimens of Mediterranean organisms such as reefs, sea flowers, octopuses, clams, decapods, turtles and numerous fishes.
Rodini Park was probably the first landscaped park in the world. It was still popular with the Romans some years later - leaving an aqueduct behind. The park lies in a green and shady bed of a stream, an ideal environment for the peacocks which live and breed freely in the park. It's a lovely day out even in the heat of the day. A 10 minute walk will bring you to a tomb dug in to the rock. The tomb in known as the Tomb id Ptolemies, dating ffom the Hellenistic period, with the edges of each side decorated by 21 Doric half columns.
You must visit Rhodes Old Town while on your holiday. There are roughly 200 streets and lanes that simply have no name, but don't be put off by this, see it as a maze and an adventure! When you approach the walls of the Old Town of Rhodes, you are about to enter the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. There are ruins and temples to explore; the Temple of Venus may date from the 3rd century B.C! The ruins are a reminder that a great Hellenistic city once stood here and encompassed the entire area now occupied by the city, including the old and new towns.
After toruing the sites of the Old Town of Rhodes, you might want to walk around the walls. The museum operates a 1 hour tour on Tuesday and Saturday at 3pm, beginning at the Palace of the Knights. The fortification has a series of magnificent gates and towers, and is a remarkable example of a fully intact medieval structure. If you miss the guided tour, then don't worry as much of the structure can be viewed from just walking around the outside.
