9. Rhodes: Filerimos Hill and Butterfly Valley Bus Trip
Be collected at your accommodation from 08:20 am to 09:20 am. Then head to your first destination, Filerimos Hill where we stop for 1 hour free time. Filerimos is situated about 15 km from Rhodes Town on a hill 267m, overlooking the small town of Ialyssos and the bay of Ixia and Trianda and on the same site where once stood the Doric City of Ialyssos in ancient times. Here, you can visit the monastery of Our Lady and the remains of the Ancient Acropolis of Ialyssos, one of the three ancient cities of Rhodes island. Walk along a Golgotha, a tree-sheltered pathway with a series of shrines with scenes of the Holy Passion. This footpath leads to an enormous imposing cross. You can admire the outstanding view of the villages and bright green valleys from the top. Next visit is the Valley of Butterflies, for 2 hours free time. This is a unique and peaceful ecological setting, which is a true representation of local nature, with narrow rock walkways, lakes decorated by water lilies, rustic bridges, running waters, waterfalls, and resting places loaded with millions of brown-red butterflies. During June, July & August, thousands of butterflies of the genus Panaxia swarm into the valley in order to reproduce. The sweet smell of the resin attracts the butterflies and when you are walking around, you will see Liquidambar trees everywhere and hundreds of Butterflies on the trunk and leaves. (From October - 31st of May the price for entrance fee to Valley of Butterflies is 3,00 euro/per person and from 1st of June - September the price is 5,00 euro/per person). The Main entrance of the Valley is at the Parking area No2. The Natural History Museum of Rhodes operates at the Parking area No1 and is a perfect spot for photos. Among the exhibits are endemic and rare species of the broader area of the valley which are displayed in cases representing the conditions of the natural environment. Visit the local museum there, and admire the large variety of different species and intricate photographs. You will return to your accommodation around 2:00 PM.