As legend has it, Rhodes’ Mandraki Harbour was once the location for a towering bronze statue of Helios, the Greek sun god. Erected by the Rhodians in 280 BC to celebrate the city's successful defence against a large invading army, the statue is now regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While the site of this magnificent statue is a legendary place you can still visit, the Colossus itself is lost. All we have now are stories, historical records and the beautiful harbour where it once stood, which continues to intrigue intrepid explorers, familiar with the tale.
In the heart of the Cyclades, surrounded by the stunning Aegean Sea, the iconic whitewashed buildings of Mykonos are a nod to typical Cycladic architecture. Now a beautiful coastal destination, this once celestial battleground is named after the grandson of the Olympian God Apollo. Almost literally built on Greek mythology, the island is believed to have been formed by the bodies of giants, slain by Hercules. Although long since petrified, legend has it that the Gigantomachy (or giants) still exist and every earthquake or volcanic eruption is one of them moving in their tomb below.
Beautifully positioned between mainland Greece and Turkey, the Aegean itself is legendary. Greek mythology and etymology dual for recognition as to where its name comes from, with legend stating it was named after the king of Athens, Aigeas, who threw himself off a cliff into the water, after wrongly thinking his son, Theseus, had been killed by a minotaur. An alternative explanation states it comes from the Greek ‘aiges’ meaning ‘high waves’ and ‘aigaios’ meaning ‘great sea’.
A once vital route for commercial trade, the real importance it has served the seafaring empires of the region should also not be understated. Ancient Greece is highly renowned for its undeniable importance in shaping western civilization, which would not have been possible without this fascinating body of water.
These historic destinations feature on the following itineraries: Aegean Gems, Aegean Reflections, Greek Islands & Turkish Coastline, Discover the Eastern Mediterranean