Colchicum balansae
C. variegatum
Spiranthes spiralis
Scilla autumnalis
Crocus tournefortii
Biarum marmarisense
Cyclamen graecum
Sternbergia lutea
Ag Panteleimon, Siana
Rhodes medieval old town
Vineyards near Embonas
Wild flora and historic sights of Rhodes
Wednesday 1 to Thursday 9 November (eight nights)
MPG’s tour of Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese, will be based for the first four nights in the four-star Best Western Rhodes Plaza Hotel in the city (https://www.rhodesplazahotel.com) and for the last days in a family-run hotel in Embonas village at the foot of the island’s highest mountain (https://www.ataviroshotel.com).
Those who arrive early will be free to look round locally until everyone meets for dinner in the hotel. On Day 2, members will explore the medieval town, built by the Knights Hospitaller, on foot, finding plants along the way. On the following two days we will explore by bus the eastern coast heading south, with frequent stops to look for Colchicum balansae, Crocus tournefortii , Biarum marmarisense, Allium archeotrichon, Pancratium maritimum, Eryngium maritimum and Euphorbia paralias. Members will visit the area around picturesque Lindos and walk in the area around. On Day 5, we will check out of the Rhodes Plaza and go via the Petaloudes Valley, with its different vegetation, looking for Colchicum macrophyllum, Spiranthes spiralis and other plants, arriving at the Hotel Ataviros in the afternoon. The sixth day will provide an opportunity to get to know the Embonas area and its vegetation on foot, returning to the hotel for a salad lunch. On Day 7 we will be back in the bus to explore the western side of the island, visiting Monolithos Castle and beach. On the last full day members will explore the countryside passing through Agios Isidoros, Laerma and the Gadoura dam. The serpentine soils around Laerma host an interesting flora and there may be another chance to see Biarum, also other autumn-flowering plants such as Muscari parviflorum and Scilla autumnalis and possibly the last flowers of Drimia aphylla.
Weather in November can be good but is unpredictable. Appropriate clothing for warm or wet and windy weather, good walking shoes and sun protection are essential. The trip will be after the main tourist season so the historic sights will be very enjoyable.
The fee for the nine-day trip will be £950 per person. Single supplement £155. Total for one person in a single room £1105. Total for two sharing a room £1900. This includes: eight nights’ accommodation, six dinners including house wine, seven lunches (usually picnics), ground transport, guiding, and transfer from Embonas to the airport early on the last day. Not included: flights, transfer from the airport to the hotel on arrival, extra drinks and coffees.
Possible flights for those travelling from London.
OUT: Wed 1 Nov EasyJet Dep LGW 07.30 – RHO 13.35 or Dep LGW 14.00 -RHO 20.05
RETURN: Thurs 9 Nov Aegean Dep RHO 10.30 Arr ATH 11.30 Dep ATH EJ 14.30 Arr LGW 16.25
Some members will arrive from other countries. There is a bus from the airport every 30 or 40 minutes to Rhodes town, taking about 40 minutes. The single fare is currently 2.50 EUR. From the bus terminal in town to the Plaza Hotel is a five-minute walk. Taxis are also available from the airport, taking about 25 minutes and cost 36.00 EUR.
MPG recently announced that members will not need to be fully vaccinated against Covid for overseas trips in future although the committees still strongly recommend that members should be. However, you can no longer assume that all members on our trips will have been vaccinated. Please note that the Terms have recently been revised so it’s necessary to read the new Terms.
There are a limited number of places left so, if you wish to book for this trip, please check availability by emailing Heather Martin. Once you have received a confirmed offer of a place please send the deposit of £450 per person. Having done that, when you have ALL the information needed, please fill in the detailed booking form below. If you submit an incomplete form and wish to add more details later, you will need to fill in a new form giving all information again. Final balances will be due by Monday 18 September.
See https://www.medpag.org/about/how-to-pay/ for ways to pay.
Botanical guide Yiannis Christofides
Yiannis Christofides was born in the Troodos mountains of Cyprus. He studied chemistry at University College, London, before moving on to Birkbeck to do research. In 1986 he returned to Cyprus where he pursued his passion for botany and became a specialist photographer. He is the author of Orchids of Cyprus and Illustrated Flora of Cyprus. His interests include the floras of Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and of European mountains as well as butterflies, other insects and reptiles. He has recently established a new garden of Mediterranean-climate plants.
Booking Form
Please note that MPG events are open to members of MPG and its sister organisations only.