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{\an1}-Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with
more of the best of Europe.
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This time, I thought
I'd take you on a little cruise.
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We're sailing to three
iconic Greek islands,
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{\an1}Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.
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Welcome aboard!
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♪♪
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♪♪
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♪♪
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♪♪
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While there are lots
of Greek islands to visit,
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we're dropping in
on just three classics.
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While we could fly
or take a local ferry,
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this time, our mode of
transportation is a cruise ship.
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{\an1}In this sampler of Greek isles,
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we'll enjoy
their fascinating history,
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inviting beaches,
and dramatic beauty.
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Our ship functions
as our floating hotel
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and takes us effortlessly
from port to port
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{\an1}as we settle into the relaxing
tempo of an Aegean holiday.
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Exploring each island
under the reliable sun,
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we'll compare beaches
from the ultimate party beach
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to quieter,
more idyllic hideaways.
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We'll tour ancient ruins,
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then climb to the summit
for a grand view
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{\an1}and sample Greek cuisine within
splashing distance of the sea.
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-It tastes good.
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{\an1}-We'll learn of crusader history
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and marvel
at stunning Greek isle views,
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and we'll connect it
all by cruise ship,
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{\an1}enjoying fun onboard as we sail.
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From Athens, we sail
into the Aegean Sea.
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{\an1}Of its hundreds of islands,
we'll visit three --
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{\an1}Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.
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♪♪
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Cruising is designed
for the masses,
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{\an1}and it has its pros and cons.
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There are 3,000 passengers
on this ship.
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While it's surely
not for everyone,
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many find it efficient
and economical
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for island-hopping
in the Mediterranean.
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{\an1}If you do opt for a cruise,
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you'll live within
a strict schedule --
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{\an1}sail by night, sightsee by day,
about 10 hours per stop.
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The Aegean Sea offers
the quintessence
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{\an1}of Mediterranean island charm.
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Punctuated
by romantic nights at sea,
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{\an1}our itinerary promises plenty
of unforgettable sightseeing.
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In the morning,
we'll be in Santorini.
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♪♪
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I enjoy the scenic arrivals
and departures by cruise ship.
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Being on the top deck as you
approach the day's destination
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{\an8}gives you
a quiet bird's-eye view.
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{\an8}Approaching an exotic
and fabled island
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{\an1}like Santorini as the moon sets
and the sun rises,
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just kissing the lip
of the breath-taking cliffs,
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is worth getting up for.
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{\an1}Santorini is a dramatic island,
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{\an1}the rim of a volcanic crater
with spectacular vistas.
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Once a complete island
like its neighbors,
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it was a volcano
that about 3,500 years ago
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blew its top,
creating a caldera,
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this flooded crater.
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Today,
inviting whitewashed villages
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seem to crowd
its dramatic ridges
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as if jostling
to enjoy the views.
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Because Santorini's pier
is small,
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{\an1}giant cruise ships drop anchor
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{\an1}and tender their passengers in
on small shuttle boats.
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♪♪
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Individuals go
to the tiny old harbor
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{\an1}where they can ride a donkey
up the zigzag trail
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{\an1}or hop a cable car up to the
scenic lip of the island crater.
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Those paying for
the cruiseline's excursion
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get off the ship first
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{\an1}and head for an alternative port
where buses and guides await.
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♪♪
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{\an1}With the crush of the crowds,
the limited time,
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and the scattered array
of interesting sights,
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investing in a bus tour
like this to see Santorini
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can make sense.
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Within minutes,
you'll be powering up
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the switchbacks
into the island
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as your guide
narrates the drive.
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-Those two are
the Kameni Islands.
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The Kameni Islands
are actually made of lava rock.
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-Excursions also include
scenic views from the bus
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{\an1}and the stress-free efficiency
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of getting smoothly
from point to point.
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{\an1}And tour groups are sure to have
free time at the best photo ops.
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{\an8}Oia is the postcard image
of the Greek isles.
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This idyllic ensemble
of whitewashed houses
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and characteristic domes
is delicately draped
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over a steep slope
at the top of a cliff.
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{\an1}Viewpoints here are some of the
most striking in the Greek seas
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as tourists clamber
for just the right angle.
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Artists fall in love
with Oia and move in.
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Honeymooners find the B&B
of their dreams
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and savor breakfast
in unforgettable settings,
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{\an1}and at the quiet end of town,
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{\an1}the old windmill reminds all
of a more rustic age gone by.
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♪♪
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{\an1}The whitewash, while scenic
today, was originally practical:
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White reflects
the powerful heat of the sun.
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The lime that makes the
whitewash is a good antiseptic.
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Villagers knew it would
naturally disinfect
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the rainwater
that was collected on rooftops.
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{\an1}And I love the way the blue
and white of the townscape
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{\an1}seems inspired by the colors
of the Greek flag.
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Many of these dwellings
originated as humble caves.
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{\an1}With little building material
on the island,
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it just made sense
to dig into the cliffs.
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These cave houses,
surrounded by air-filled pumice,
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are naturally insulated,
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staying cool in summer
and warm in winter.
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{\an1}Gradually, these cheapest bits
of real estate were developed,
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{\an1}and with tourism, they became
today's expensive villas,
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hotels, and restaurants.
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♪♪
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With each port,
you've got sightseeing options.
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{\an1}You can take the organized bus
tour and be on their timetable
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{\an1}or you can hire a private guide.
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You can use a guide book
and be your own guide,
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or you can just hang out
and be thoroughly on vacation.
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There's no right or wrong.
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It depends on your mood
and your style.
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{\an1}I've left our bus tour early
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for a rendezvous
with a private local guide.
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-We had a big earthquake
back in 1956, 7.8 Richter scale,
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{\an1}destroyed very many houses like
this captain's house over here,
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{\an1}and on the other side, you can
see the Venetian fortress.
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It's destroyed.
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It's been there
since the 14th century.
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-To get the absolute most
out of our Santorini day,
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I've booked half a day
with Demetrus.
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{\an1}While pricy, if two couples
split the cost,
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enjoying the services
of a private guide
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can cost about the same
as the cruiseline's bus tour.
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{\an1}Of Santorini's many beaches,
Kamari is one of the best.
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{\an1}The black sand is a reminder
of the island's volcanic origin.
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Typical of Greek island
resort beaches,
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it's lined
with rentable lounge chairs
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and a strip
of seafood restaurants,
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and with Demetrus,
I know exactly what I'm eating.
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{\an1}These salads look delicious.
Can you tell me about them?
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{\an1}-Well, we have here a Greek
salad and a Santorini salad.
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The difference
with the local salad
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is that we use
the local tomatoes,
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the cherry tomatoes,
the local cucumbers,
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{\an1}and instead of the feta cheese,
we use the goat cheese,
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and we add the capers
and the caper leaves.
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See, you can eat them.
They taste good.
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Right, we got some
sardines here, grilled,
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{\an1}and on the other side, we've got
a very nice grilled calamari,
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also served with salad,
the lemon, and the olive oil.
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-This is a healthy diet.
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{\an1}-This is the Mediterranean diet.
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[ Both laugh ]
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-Santorini is small.
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Driving is fun,
and traffic is sparse.
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In a few scenic minutes,
we're across the island.
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We bid our guide good-bye
to enjoy a last couple hours
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{\an7}in Fira, Santorini's main town.
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{\an1}Fira is the island's commercial
and transportation hub.
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Its main street,
thronged with tourists
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whenever there's
a cruise ship in the bay,
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seems like little more
than a long line of shops,
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cafés, and restaurants,
all with staggering views.
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♪♪
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Enjoying the island
with a local guide
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{\an1}and then taking a short break
to enjoy a cliffside bar
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{\an1}filled with happy travelers
from around the world
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is a reminder
that even if on a cruise,
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you can exercise
your independence
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and spark some
great travel moments.
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{\an1}Keeping my eye on the clock,
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I hop the cable car
back down to the old port
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where our ship's shuttle
or tender awaits.
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Most cruisers get nervous
about missing the ship
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and head back
earlier than necessary.
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I find the ports are
least crowded and most relaxed
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and enjoyable
during that last hour.
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♪♪
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The last tender is not
leaving for 15 minutes.
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That's plenty of time
for one last uzo.
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Cruisers enjoy
toggling effortlessly
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{\an1}between their daily adventures
on shore
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and evenings back home
on their floating resort.
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{\an1}Sure, there's nothing culturally
broadening about this.
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In fact, the only thing
broadening about
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{\an1}all this lazy time on ship with
the unlimited food and drink
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{\an1}is the effect it might have
on your waistline,
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but the ease of
not having to change hotels
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with every new destination
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and the abundance
of entertainment onboard
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can contribute
to a nice vacation.
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While cruisers may miss
evenings in port,
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{\an1}what they do get to experience
are the evenings at sea,
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whether it's a dance party
by the pool
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or quietly enjoying
the full moon
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and anticipating
new adventures tomorrow.
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{\an1}Mykonos is another small island
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with a small port
inundated by cruise-ship crowds.
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{\an1}It's so iconic and beautiful
that it's included
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in most major
cruise-ship itineraries.
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There's a pier
for only one ship,
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{\an1}so most ships drop the hook
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{\an1}and shuttle their people in
by tender.
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{\an1}If visiting by cruise ship, it's
smart to get an early start.
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{\an1}We caught the first tender,
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beat the crowds
and beat the heat.
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It's easy to enjoy
Mykonos town with no planning,
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no tour, and no guide.
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This is a stop
that lends itself
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to unstructured free time,
just lazing on the beach,
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wandering,
and browsing the shops.
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It's the epitome
of a Greek island town --
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{\an1}busy break water, fine little
beach, and inviting lanes.
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While tourism
dominates the economy,
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Mykonos still has
a traditional charm,
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thickly layered
with white stucco,
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blue trim,
and colorful bougainvillea.
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♪♪
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{\an1}Back lanes offer tranquility
away from the cruise crowds.
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{\an1}As in many Greek island towns,
centuries ago,
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the windmills of Mykonos
harnessed the steady wind,
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grinding grain
to feed its sailors.
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Five mills still stand,
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perfectly positioned
to catch the prevailing breeze.
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{\an1}A tidy embankment is so pretty,
they call it Little Venice.
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Wealthy shipping merchants
built this row of fine mansions
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with brightly painted
wooden balconies
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that seem to rise
right out of the sea.
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{\an1}Today, these mansions have been
refitted as restaurants and bars
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for tourists enjoying
fresh fish and romantic views.
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♪♪
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Mykonos' status
in the last generation
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{\an1}was as a fashionable destination
for jet setters,
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00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,000
and it retains
a certain hip cache.
239
00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,000
{\an1}These days, tacky trinket stalls
share the lanes
240
00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:12,000
{\an1}with top-end fashion boutiques.
241
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,000
{\an1}Prices are high, and in season,
242
00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,000
the island is crammed
full of vacationers,
243
00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,000
but even with four ships
in the harbor today,
244
00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,000
there seems to be
plenty of room.
245
00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:27,000
♪♪
246
00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,000
I love how in the middle
of all this modern tourism,
247
00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:34,000
the traditional culture
carries on at the tiny church
248
00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,000
built to bless those
who go to sea.
249
00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:40,000
{\an1}A fisherman and his wife pop in
for a few meditative moments
250
00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:44,000
among age-old icons
and flickering candles.
251
00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,000
Mykonos is small.
252
00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:52,000
Any point on the island
is within a 20-minute drive.
253
00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,000
The windy roads feel like
a fairground race track
254
00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,000
for tourists,
255
00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:59,000
busy with an array
of easy-to-rent vehicles.
256
00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:03,000
And, like most of them,
we're heading for the beach.
257
00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,000
There's a range of beaches
on Mykonos.
258
00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,000
{\an1}The most trendy is Paradise,
259
00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:11,000
one of the ultimate
party beaches in the Aegean.
260
00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:15,000
Presided over by hotels that
run bars for young beachgoers,
261
00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,000
{\an1}the Paradise action is nonstop.
262
00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,000
♪♪
263
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:23,000
While the beach becomes
a raging dance floor after dark,
264
00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:26,000
the DJ is busy all day as
the cruise set joins backpackers
265
00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000
from around the world
to enjoy the scene.
266
00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,000
♪♪
267
00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,000
{\an1}As is standard around here,
268
00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:37,000
beaches rent comfortable
lounge furniture with umbrellas.
269
00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,000
{\an1}Just plop onto whatever appeals.
270
00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,000
Don't worry.
The drinks will come to you.
271
00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:46,000
♪♪
272
00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,000
{\an1}If you prefer a quieter scene,
273
00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,000
the more remote beaches
are a short drive farther out.
274
00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:56,000
{\an1}While extremely arid, the stony
countryside of Mykonos,
275
00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:00,000
complete with whitewashed
churches and staggering views,
276
00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,000
is a delight
for a quick road trip.
277
00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:06,000
Agios Sostis,
an old hippie beach
278
00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,000
{\an1}at the north end of the island,
279
00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:11,000
has none of the thumping
party energy of Paradise Beach.
280
00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,000
It offers little
beyond lovely sand,
281
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:18,000
turquoise water,
and tranquility.
282
00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:22,000
And for many, it's their
Greek-isle dream come true.
283
00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,000
♪♪
284
00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:26,000
Along with its beaches,
285
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,000
Mykonos offers a major
historic attraction.
286
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:32,000
It's on an uninhabited
neighboring island
287
00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,000
a 30-minute
shuttle boat ride away.
288
00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:38,000
{\an1}The island of Delos was one
of the most important places
289
00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:42,000
{\an7}in the ancient Greek world...
290
00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:46,000
with temples honoring
the birthplace of the twin gods
291
00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,000
Apollo and Artemis.
292
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,000
Centuries before Christ,
293
00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,000
Delos attracted pilgrims
from across the Western world.
294
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:56,000
♪♪
295
00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:59,000
Delos was important in
three different ancient eras,
296
00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,000
first as a religious site,
297
00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:04,000
then as the treasury
of the Athenian League.
298
00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,000
{\an1}That was sort of the Fort Knox
of the ancient world.
299
00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:10,000
{\an1}And later, during Roman times,
this was one of the busiest
300
00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:12,000
commercial ports
in the entire Mediterranean.
301
00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:17,000
{\an1}Delos ranked right up there with
Olympia, Athens, and Delphi.
302
00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:21,000
Survey the remains
of the ancient harbor,
303
00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:25,000
{\an1}foundations of shops and homes,
304
00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,000
and hillsides
littered with temple remains.
305
00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,000
♪♪
306
00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,000
The iconic row
of sphinx-like lions
307
00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:37,000
still heralds
the importance of the place.
308
00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:43,000
This was one of the
Aegean world's finest cities.
309
00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:47,000
{\an1}Imagine Delos in its heyday,
a booming center of trade,
310
00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,000
{\an1}streets lined with 3,000 shops
311
00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,000
where you could buy
just about anything,
312
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,000
dazzling mansions
of wealthy merchants
313
00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,000
with colonnaded
inner courtyards.
314
00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:03,000
{\an1}There were fine mosaics like
this one of the god Dionysus
315
00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,000
riding a panther.
316
00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:08,000
Culture thrived here
enough to keep this theater,
317
00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,000
{\an1}which could seat 6,000, busy.
318
00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,000
Innovative cisterns
collected rainwater.
319
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:17,000
These round arches date
from the third century B.C.
320
00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:21,000
{\an1}Plumbing ran under the streets,
and water was plentiful.
321
00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,000
Local guides demonstrate
still-working wells.
322
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,000
-One of the 200 wells
and cisterns in the city,
323
00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:30,000
{\an1}fresh, drinkable water from
the rich aquifer underneath us,
324
00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:34,000
{\an1}and it was enough to supply
the 30,000 people
325
00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:35,000
at the peak of
the flourish of the city.
326
00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,000
-30,000?
327
00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,000
{\an1}-So for more than 2,000 years,
water has come out of this well.
328
00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:43,000
{\an1}You can still drink if you want.
-Very nice.
329
00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,000
{\an1}About a century before Christ,
330
00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,000
Delos was devastated
by a terrible war.
331
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,000
It never recovered
and was eventually abandoned.
332
00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,000
After 14 centuries
of silence and darkness,
333
00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000
it was finally excavated
in the late 1800s,
334
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,000
{\an1}and today, the ruins of Delos
are ours to explore.
335
00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,000
♪♪
336
00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:05,000
I cap my visit by climbing
to the summit of the island.
337
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,000
My reward: one of
the Mediterranean's great
338
00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:11,000
{\an1}king-of-the-mountain thrills.
339
00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:13,000
As you observe
the chain of islands
340
00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:16,000
dramatically swirling
in 360 degrees,
341
00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,000
you can understand
why historians believe
342
00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:21,000
{\an1}that these Cycladic Islands
got their name from the way
343
00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:24,000
they make a circle --
or a cycle -- around this
344
00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,000
oh-so-important
little island of Delos.
345
00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:37,000
♪♪
346
00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:38,000
♪♪
347
00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,000
Back on board,
we sail farther east
348
00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,000
{\an1}toward the island of Rhodes,
349
00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,000
and we have another
evening on board.
350
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,000
Assuming a sunny,
floating resort
351
00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,000
{\an1}is what you're looking for,
352
00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,000
cruising can be both
economical and efficient --
353
00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:54,000
{\an1}especially when lacing together
far-flung islands
354
00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,000
within a limited
vacation schedule.
355
00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,000
{\an8}Rhodes, or Rhodos,
as locals call it,
356
00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,000
{\an8}is the fourth-largest
of the Greek islands.
357
00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,000
{\an1}As we enter the historic harbor,
358
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:08,000
{\an1}the walls of the fortified town
seem to tell a story.
359
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:11,000
{\an1}Rhodes is built upon layers
of civilizations --
360
00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:13,000
{\an1}Italian, Greek, and Turkish,
361
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,000
with a dash
of medieval Crusader lore
362
00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,000
{\an1}from all over Europe tossed in.
363
00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,000
Today, luxury yachts
crowd the harbor.
364
00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,000
The island's main city,
also called Rhodes,
365
00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:27,000
{\an1}was one of the great cities
of antiquity.
366
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:30,000
The famed statue
called the Colossus of Rhodes
367
00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,000
{\an1}once towered above the city.
368
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:38,000
♪♪
369
00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,000
{\an1}Ancient Greeks believed that
370
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,000
this easternmost point
of the Greek world,
371
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,000
where the rising sun
first kissed Greek soil,
372
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:46,000
was the home
of the sun god, Helios.
373
00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,000
So, they honored Helios
by building a colossal statue.
374
00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,000
It was 100 feet tall
in polished bronze.
375
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,000
This Colossus of Rhodes
376
00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,000
{\an1}was one of the seven wonders
of the ancient world.
377
00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,000
But it was destroyed
by an earthquake
378
00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,000
a couple hundred years
before Christ,
379
00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,000
{\an1}and today, nothing survives.
380
00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:05,000
{\an1}The formidable Thalassini Gate
is a reminder
381
00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:09,000
of the age of Chivalry
and the famed Knights of Malta.
382
00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:11,000
They were also called
383
00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:14,000
the Knights
of Saint John Hospitallers.
384
00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,000
Their mission during
the 12th-century crusades:
385
00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,000
{\an1}To protect Christian pilgrims
on their way to Jerusalem
386
00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:22,000
and provide hospitals
for their care.
387
00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,000
The pope recognized
the Knights of Saint John
388
00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,000
as a religious order,
389
00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,000
and they eventually became
"soldiers of the cross"
390
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:33,000
with an economic agenda
and a mighty navy.
391
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:37,000
Because the knights were
from aristocratic families,
392
00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,000
they had lots of money
and lots of power.
393
00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:44,000
{\an1}As the nearest Greek island
to the Holy Land,
394
00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:46,000
Rhodes was a natural
gathering point
395
00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,000
for Crusaders
from all over Europe.
396
00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:50,000
In 1309,
the Knights of Saint John
397
00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,000
claimed Rhodes
as their headquarters
398
00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,000
and transformed it
into a bustling,
399
00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:58,000
{\an1}highly fortified European city
governed by their Grand Master.
400
00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,000
{\an1}Coming from all over Europe,
401
00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,000
they gave Rhodes
a cosmopolitan feel.
402
00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,000
This lane, called
the Street of the Knights,
403
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:08,000
originally hosted knights
from their various countries.
404
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:11,000
Whether from Spain,
France, or Germany,
405
00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,000
each group built
its own headquarters here
406
00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,000
to feel like home.
407
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:19,000
{\an1}To this day, the street feels
medieval with carved reliefs
408
00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:22,000
that show off
that original national pride.
409
00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,000
♪♪
410
00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,000
In the 14th century,
411
00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:29,000
the knights built the
Palace of the Grand Master --
412
00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:32,000
an imposing residence
and capital for their leader.
413
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,000
{\an1}Destroyed by the Ottoman Turks,
414
00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:39,000
{\an1}it was rebuilt in a fanciful
style just a century ago.
415
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,000
The palace was fortified
with three walls
416
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:46,000
{\an1}and two moats for good reason --
the ever-present Turkish threat.
417
00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:49,000
Huge granite cannonballs
littering the grounds
418
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:53,000
{\an1}are a reminder that it was said,
"when the Turks attacked,
419
00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,000
cannonballs
rained down on the city."
420
00:20:55,000 --> 00:21:01,000
♪♪
421
00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,000
The Ottoman Turks
finally defeated
422
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,000
the Knights of Saint John
in the 1500s.
423
00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:07,000
The knights then retreated
424
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,000
hundreds of miles west
to the island of Malta,
425
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,000
{\an1}where they built an even more
fortified headquarters.
426
00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,000
Rhodes then became
part of the Ottoman Empire
427
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,000
for several centuries.
428
00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:18,000
{\an1}In fact, you can still feel
that Turkish influence
429
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,000
to this very day.
430
00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:24,000
Ippokratous Square is
the busy heart of the old town.
431
00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,000
{\an1}And those once-formidable walls
now seem only to protect
432
00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:33,000
a fun-loving tourist's mecca
and a vibrant artist's colony.
433
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:36,000
The bazaar-like back lanes
are a delight to wander,
434
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,000
and the main shopping drag
435
00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:42,000
still feels a bit like
a Turkish bazaar.
436
00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:47,000
{\an1}At the top end, a 500-year-old
minaret marks the Mosque
437
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:50,000
{\an1}of Suleiman the Magnificent.
438
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:54,000
{\an1}Back outside the walls, the city
beach sprawls in a beautiful arc
439
00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:57,000
away from the harbor.
440
00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:01,000
{\an1}This point, where the Aegean
and Mediterranean Seas meet,
441
00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,000
is famously windy --
long powering windmills.
442
00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:09,000
{\an1}And the once-menacing shores of
Turkey are just 12 miles away.
443
00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:12,000
♪♪
444
00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:15,000
The island of Rhodes,
while arid, is fun to explore.
445
00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,000
Locals manage to eke out
an existence
446
00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,000
{\an1}as they have for centuries.
447
00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:22,000
An hour's drive south
448
00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:26,000
takes us to the island's
other popular attraction.
449
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:30,000
{\an1}Lindos is the most beautiful
town on the island.
450
00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,000
Strategically set
with natural harbors
451
00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,000
flanking an
easy-to-fortify pinnacle,
452
00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:37,000
its history goes back
long before Christ.
453
00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:38,000
For 2,500 years,
454
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:42,000
a hill-capping acropolis
has overlooked the town.
455
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,000
Originally protecting
a temple of Athena,
456
00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,000
today the acropolis is mostly
the crumbling remains
457
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:52,000
{\an1}of a Crusader fortress built
by the Knights of Saint John.
458
00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:55,000
The dazzling white-washed
town of Lindos,
459
00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,000
{\an1}originally a wealthy maritime
center because of its harbor,
460
00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:01,000
is now totally over-run
by tourists.
461
00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:04,000
The homes of sea captains,
whose wealth came from trade,
462
00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,000
are now fancy hotels
and gift shops.
463
00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,000
While it's traffic-free,
if you need to get somewhere
464
00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,000
{\an1}you can always hop on what's
nicknamed the "Lindos Taxi."
465
00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:14,000
Giddy-up.
466
00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,000
[ Donkey brays ]
467
00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,000
The real attraction here
are the beaches.
468
00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:23,000
{\an1}Lindos' Beach is a broad and
sandy strip, great for families.
469
00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,000
And just beyond
the acropolis
470
00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,000
is the more exotic
Saint Paul's Beach,
471
00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:31,000
{\an1}named for a legendary visit
by the apostle Paul
472
00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,000
nearly 2,000 years ago.
473
00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,000
{\an1}A humble Greek Orthodox chapel
474
00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,000
celebrates that visit
to this day.
475
00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:42,000
{\an1}Oblivious to the rich historic
heritage surrounding them,
476
00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,000
vacationers here
are expert at relaxing
477
00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,000
{\an1}under the steady Greek Sun.
478
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,000
♪♪
479
00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:52,000
In a few minutes,
they're pulling up the gangway,
480
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,000
and I'm back on the ship.
481
00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,000
Sailing these fabled seas,
482
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,000
I find myself drawn
to the top deck.
483
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,000
And it's hard to imagine
having had more Greek-island fun
484
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:05,000
in a few days than
what we just experienced.
485
00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:08,000
♪♪
486
00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:11,000
I hope you've enjoyed
our Greek-island cruise
487
00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,000
{\an1}as we've explored just three
of the countless islands
488
00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,000
that make the Aegean Sea
such a popular destination.
489
00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,000
I'm Rick Steves.
490
00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,000
Until next time,
keep on travelin'.
491
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,000
{\an8}-Hi. [ Laughs ]
492
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:29,000
{\an8}We're sailing to three
iconic Greek islands --
493
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,000
{\an7}Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.
494
00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000
{\an8}Welcome aboard.
495
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,000
{\an8}Arr! [ Laughs ]
496
00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:38,000
{\an8}This Colossus of Rhodes
497
00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:41,000
{\an7}was one of the ancient wonders
of the seven worlds.
498
00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:44,000
{\an8}♪♪
499
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,000
{\an8}-There you go.
-[ Laughs ]
500
00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,000
{\an8}Ah!
501
00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:53,000
{\an8}♪♪
40845
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