TOUR CODE: 16501 GRADE 2

OCTOBER 2016 05 October 12 October

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12 October 19 October

A KNIGHT’S ISLAND Leisurely Walking on the Greek island of Rhodes

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HOLIDAY INFORMATION TOUR DESCRIPTION

This information is in addition to our General Information Booklet, which is enclosed. Rhodes, one of the larger of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, was important from the earliest times due to its strategic position and has been allied to various empires throughout history who have all left their mark. The Ottomans, Italians, Knights of St John and Persians, to name a few, have moulded the island’s architecture and history and it is as rich as you will find anywhere in Greece. Today’s visitors come to enjoy the island’s endless sandy beaches, array of magnificent buildings, local food and great climate, which even in the autumn months is ideal, when the days are generally sunny and bright, with the warmth of the summer sun still present.

The UNESCO World Heritage medieval old city of Rhodes Town is maze of alleyways, magnificent archways, monuments, shady squares and museums and is a perfect place to lose yourself for a few hours. We’ll visit the town with a local guide. On the other side of the island is Lindos with its imposing acropolis and sheltered harbour of St Paul, where the apostle is said to have safely landed during a storm. In between you will find traditional villages, peaceful valleys, and pine woods, which all make for wonderful leisurely walks with great scenery and ample time to appreciate the island’s beauty.

We stay at the Plaza Hotel, which is located just outside the walls of the Old Town and its ideal location allows us to fully explore the island and also offers the opportunity for your own leisure time. All rooms are tastefully furnished and the buffet meals offer both local and international cuisine. We’ll eat at the hotel for some of our stay and enjoy local tavernas on other evenings.

©Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 180416

INTINERARY

Day:

Overnight accommodation:

1:

Daily itinerary:

Meals:

Depart from Manchester or London Gatwick to Rhodes. Transfer to the Plaza Hotel in Rhodes Town, where we stay for 7 nights’ accommodation.

D

Rhodes 2-7

Walking and exploring the beautiful island of Rhodes, including a guided walking tour of Rhodes Town with a local.

B, D

8:

Transfer to Rhodes Airport for check-in and return flight to the UK.

B

D (Dinner) B (Breakfast)

HOLIDAY GRADE & WALKING PROGRAMME During our grade 2 holiday there will be ample time sightseeing in Rhodes Town; scenic walking through the hills and along the coast to explore the ancient sites, local monasteries, castles and beaches. We use paths, mule tracks and quiet roads, which generally give easy walking with gentle climbs. Some walks are easier than others, however there maybe some unavoidable ascents and descents involved in the programme, and the paths can be rough and stony at times. Occasionally there are short sections of prickly undergrowth. We proceed at a leisurely pace with a typical day including up to five hours of walking, although usually less, including sightseeing. An example of some of the walks we may include in our programme (dependent on weather conditions and the ability of the group) are as follows. Please note that times noted are actual walking times. The length of the walking day will be longer. Lindos. This day allows plenty of time to explore the town and walk up to the spectacular Acropolis with views across the Bay of St. Paul We can extend with a coastal walk out onto the headland to visit Kleoboulos’ tomb (5km) Ascent / descent minimal (although steps up to the Acropolis); 2.5 miles; 1.5 hours. Archangelos to Efra Piges (Seven Springs): A really beautiful walk through quintessential Greek

countryside. Olive trees, goat herds, shepherds and country chapels finishing at ‘Seven Springs’ – A shady oasis built by the Italians to irrigate their citrus groves. Ascent / descent 100m; 3 miles; 2 hours. Salakos. A visit to a small village and a short walk through open and wooded foothills Ascent / descent 130m; 3 miles; 2 hours.

©Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 180416

Filerimos & Trianda. An easily accessible attractive hilltop site with some interesting churches and excellent views. After visiting the site there is a pleasant downhill walk through pinewoods to the coastal resort of Trianda. Ascent / descent 260m; 3-3.5 miles; 2.5 hours. We do not include local transport costs or entrance fees in conjunction with the walks programme on this holiday. This is due to walks being weather dependent and also takes into account the group ability and your personal choice (you may choose to take a day off from the group arrangements), and this way you only pay for the activities that you take part in. Local transport costs for this holiday should not exceed £50 per week (approx. €60, payable locally in euro). Should you decide to take an optional excursion, these costs are not included in the holiday or local transport costs. You may wish to also allow €15-20 per person for possible entrance fees. Each evening, the leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. Should you not wish to join the party, please let the leader know.

TRAVEL INFORMATION 

We fly from London Gatwick and Manchester with Thomson Airlines to Rhodes. Dependent on the final flight times, the transfer vehicle may wait until both flights have arrived before departing to the hotel.

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Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent approximately 10 days prior to departure.

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Transfer time from the airport to our hotel takes approximately 30 minutes by road.

If you are joining and leaving in Greece it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet the party and leave the party at the Hotel Plaza in Rhodes Town. If this is not your plan, please let us know, in writing, at least 5 weeks before departure.

PASSPORTS & VISAS Please refer to Section 2 of the enclosed General Information Booklet. For British passport holders, for stays in Greece of up to three months your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. You don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to the UK. Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel. ©Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 180416

LOCAL CURRENCY Please refer to Section 2 of our General Information Booklet for details. The currency in Greece is the euro. There are banks and ATM machines in Rhodes Town. The Plaza Hotel accepts credit cards but will not exchange cash.

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS We stay in en suite rooms at the Hotel Plaza located just outside the walls of the Old City of Rhodes Town. All rooms have either one king sized bed or two twin beds and offer a telephone, television, in room safe, hairdryer and mini bar. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and also has a lift. The location is ideal with easy access to the Old City, with its World Heritage status buildings, numerous restaurants and shops, and the marina and harbour. Our groups have been staying at the Hotel Plaza for many years and always receive a warm welcome from the owner. Best Western Plaza Hotel 7 Lerou Lochou Street 85100 Rhodes Greece

Tel: 0030 22410 22501 Fax: 0030 22410 22544 www.rhodesplazahotel.com

Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday charge and will be taken at the hotel and local restaurants. The hotel offers buffet breakfast and dinner with both local and international cuisine. Evenings where we eat at local restaurants will offer the opportunity to sample traditional Greek food. Lunches are not included. Provisions can be bought from shops and supermarkets for picnic lunches or a day’s walking may include lunch at a taverna. Your leader will give you more information at your daily briefings.

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RESORT INFORMATION Resort facilities in Rhodes Town include:     

Local shops Banks (with ATM facilities) Restaurants & Bars Supermarkets Medical facilities

CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT October in Rhodes usually means average daytime high temperatures of 20-22°C, and you can expect sunny and bright days. Rainfall is minimal. You may wish to dress in layers, as the mornings may be a little cool. A fleece or jacket may be useful for the evenings. You can check the weather at www.holiday-weather.com/rhodes/averages/ You may also find useful a small rucksack, torch, picnic cutlery (pack in suitcase), some polythene bags, and a small first aid kit. We also suggest a light waterproof jacket – just in case. A universal sink plug may be useful for washbasins in hotels. Lightweight walking boots with good ankle support are recommended, as some paths can be rough and stony. We recommend that you wear your walking boots or pack them and some waterproofs in your hand luggage as in the unlikely event that your hold luggage is delayed, you will still be able to participate in the walking programme.

TRAVELLING LIGHT You will need to handle your own baggage, so please try to travel reasonably light. You should be able to lift and carry your own luggage. Within the hotel, you may have to negotiate steps between the rooms and lobby area.

INSURANCE Please make sure that your insurance for this holiday covers you for guided walking below 2000m. Please also take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you - it will help in the event of an emergency. Please note that the EHIC has an expiry date, so please ensure that yours is valid for the duration of your holiday. See our General Information Booklet for further details

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MAPS & BOOKS Inexpensive maps of the islands are available locally, although maps and books may be obtained before departure from specialist map and book sellers such as:

The Map Shop 15 High Street Upton upon Severn, Worcs. WR8 0HJ England Tel : 01684 593146 Fax : 01684 594559 www.themapshop.co.uk

Further information can be found on the last page of our General Information Booklet.

SUGGESTED READING

Suggested Reading:   

Rhodes: Walk & Eat – Sunflower Books Rhodes & the Dodecanese – Lonely Planet Publications The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands – Rough Guide Publications

PLEASE QUOTE YOUR HOLIDAY CODE AND BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. WE WISH YOU AN INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS UPON YOUR RETURN.

Revisions to this Holiday Information sheet Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases any revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will be unchanged. Should we need to make a major change to the holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of the Holiday Information sheet online prior to travel.

©Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 180416