RHODES JEWISH HERITAGE PLUS...    GT4

(Stop Photos) = Stop and get out of the vehicle for photos from outside of the Sight/Building Guided Tour (stay close to vehicle)

(Stop Visit Photos) Stop and visit - go inside the Sight/building with your tour guide for photos and Guided Walking Tour

Private Tour Activity Level: Moderate (or "Easy" if you skip the Acropolis of Lindos)

Private Tour Guide English speaking experienced licensed tour guide specialize in Private Tours

Private Tour Driver English speaking professional driver specialize in Private Tours

Private Tour Vehicle: Mercedes Benz - Depend on the size of your group

Private Tour Start Time: 8:30 AM. Or later. If you are a Cruise Ship Passenger - depend on your cruise ship dock time.

Private Tour Meeting Point: Cruise Port / Hotel / Airport (Meeting point varies depending on option booked)

NEW TOWN

From your selected point, you’ll be driven to the entrance of the old harbor. Here, according to tradition, was the place where the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, once stood Guided Tour (Stop Visit Photos).

MONTE SMITH

Then past the imposing buildings, continuing for a Panoramic Drive up the hillside to Monte Smith (The Acropolis of Rhodes City) which overlooks the city. Enjoy excellent views of the new and old town of Rhodes and the west coast. (Stop Photos)

THE JEWISH CEMETERY

Your journey will take you to the East Coast of the city where you will make a stop with your tour guide for a Guided Walking Tour at the best-preserved Jewish Cemetery in Europe. (Stop Visit Photos)

THE JEWISH QUARTER - LA JUDERIA

The drive will make its way to the Medieval City to a gate close to La Juderia (Jewish Quarter). This marks the beginning of your Guided Walking Tour with your tour guide. (Stop Visit Photos)

You will walk towards the “Al Chatef” street which is named after an honorable family that once lived here in Rhodes. Your journey will take you to the oldest synagogue in Greece, the “Kahal Shalom”, which opens at 10:00 AM. It was used by families and former residents for prayer services, while outsiders visited the Island for Friday night prayer services, high Holiday services and other religious occasions. Unlike most typical Sephardic Synagogues, the Kahal Shalom has two hekhals (Torah arks) on either side of the door that leads into the courtyard.

Your next stop is at the Rhodes Jewish Museum that has a collection of a treasure trove of historical artworks from the past Jewish community in Rhodes, including the 800-year-old Torah which is claimed by historians as one of the oldest Torahs in the world. This ancient book originally used by the Sephardic Jewish of the Iberian Peninsula and brought to Rhodes Island by the Sephardic Jewish refugees when they fled Spain and Portugal.

The Jewish Museum of Rhodes opened for the very first time in 1997 by Aron Hasson, an attorney hailing from Los Angeles who is a third generation “Rhodesli”. Aron inspired the idea of creating the museum in the first place.

On your way you will see the famous Sea Horse fountain in Square of the Jewish Martyrs, also known as “Martyron Evreon”. This walk also includes a visit to the Holocaust Memorial which was set up in the memory of the Jewish victims of Cos and Rhodes killed in concentration camps. To honor their memory, it has a figure which is six sided, with each side representing text in different languages, which are as follows: Greek, French, Italian, English, Hebrew and Ladino. It reads, “Never forget. In eternal memory of the 1604 Jewish Martyrs of Rhodes and Cos who were murdered in Nazi death camps”.

Only a short walk away is the Marina Gate which leads to your vehicle which will drive across 50 km / 32 miles of picturesque land southeast to Lindos.

RHODIAN TRADITIONAL ART

You will make a brief stop at a traditional pottery workshop on the way to Lindos. This is your chance to watch the potter work at his wheel to make his wonderful pieces of art. Guided Tour (Stop Visit Photos)

PANORAMIC VIEW OF LINDOS

The drive across the coast will give provide you with an impressive vantage point of the Acropolis of Lindos, revealing the white village located in a picturesque bay below.

ST PAUL’S BAY

Your journey will continue to St. Paul’s Bay to the south of Lindos, bringing into view the famous cave where the film “The Guns of Navarone” was filmed. Guided Tour (Stop Photos).

THE VILLAGE AND ACROPOLIS OF LINDOS

As you enter Lindos Village, your Guided Walking Tour will start. You will make our way up the narrow cobblestone pathway leading to the summit of the Acropolis of Lindos, which will provide you with a beautiful view of the remains of past civilizations. (Stop Visit Photos)

COASTAL ROAD OF FALIRAKI AND KALLITHEA

Your return journey will take you across the coastal road to Faliraki sandy beach and the Kallithea Spa.

BACK TO THE STARTING POINT

Upon returning to Rhodes Town, you may choose to be dropped back to your hotel or back to your ship, or near the city gates of the Old Town for independent browsing. You would then be responsible for your own return to the ship on foot, which will be docked approximately a quarter mile away.