Filerimos Hill & Valley of Butterflies

After a short drive we will ascent to the top of Filerimos Hill (1 hour stay), which 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. Arriving at the top of the hill, you will see a well organized parking plot. To the right side you will notice the ruins of the ancient Ialyssos and to the left side is a small kiosk with souvenirs and beverages. You are free to decide either to start at the Archaeological site (at the left) or walk (on the right) the footway enjoying the panoramic view over Ialyssos. Either way and during your tour, you will be followed by the mating cries of the peacocks!  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. Visitors can walk along a "Golgotha", a tree sheltered pathway with a series of shrines with scenes of the Holy Passion. This foot way leads to an enormous imposing cross, from the top of which one can cherish the outstanding view of villages and bright green valleys that are generously stretched around. This site is famous because of the lovely and quiet walkways. Leaving from Filerimos Hill, we continue our tour visiting the of Valley of Butterflies (2 hours stay), one of the most attractive destinations of the island. The canyon of Pelekanos River hosts a unique Valley that is named after the Panaxia Quadripunctaria Butterfly. The Valley was found in the 1930s by Italians who developed a beautiful 1 km path that goes through the canyon along with the areas where the butterflies are most densely populated. First studies were conducted by a German entomologist Reinhard Eiger.  It's a unique and peaceful ecological setting, being a true pride of nature of Rhodes island, 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 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. The Natural History Museum of Rhodes operates at the entrance of the valley 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.  We stop at the main parking area just 15 meters from the main entrance-reception of the valley and in these 2 hours staying, you are free to walk as long as you like or relax at the coffee shop or buy souvenirs. (From October - 10th of June the price for entrance fee to Valley of Butterflies is 3,00 euro/per person and from 10th of June - September the price is 5,00 euro/per person)