Sími: 14 Jun 2008 to 16 Jun 2008

Arrival in the port area known locally as Gialos on Simi Island is akin to sailing into a picture-perfect postcard. Pastel neo-classical mansions, built during Simi’s heyday as a shipbuilding and sponge diving centre, line the hillsides above the port. Climb the main stairway up to the older Chorio section of town, your efforts rewarded with sweeping views and fewer day trippers from nearby Rhodes. Wander the whitewashed alleyways, past the numerous churches and smaller chapels, or perhaps escape the sun and enjoy a cool beverage inside one of the numerous tavernas.

Panormitis Monastery (dedicated to St. Michael, patron saint of seafarers) is a handsome complex situated on a magnificent bay near the south-western tip of the island. Crowned by an impressive spire, the monastery has expanded greatly over the years—visitors can even arrange overnight stays in a number of comfortable rooms and cottage apartments.

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