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Since I became passionate about photography, I merged a love of travel and the camera. My way of seeing things has completely changed. Even though I’ve been to Kos, Rhodes, and Symi here a while ago, I feel like I’ve never seen these islands.
Walking for miles, turning around, waiting, getting lost, talking to people, made these ten days truly incredible.
People often stood in front of the camera. They saw you busy with the tripod. They thought they were in front of a professional photographer. I assure them that I am not. But it’s fun to laugh, joke, maybe find someone in the middle of a photo. They are always memories of life.

Kos

I booked the flight to Kos. When it was time to choose the hotel, I definitely preferred one on the beach. I was not as lucky as the last time to have a sea view. Yet, within minutes of setting the alarm clock, I was on the beach. I started taking some pictures of the sunrise over the sea. On the third morning, a unique show presented itself in front of me (photo above). Peace, unique colors and silence. Very few people were around. There was only one girl on the beach with a little dog. She fled as soon as I arrived, as if I had invaded her area of quiet and privacy.

You see and photograph something intriguing. It catches your attention but is gone a few hours later. I photographed a burned-out shack in the port of Kos while passing by. On the day of my departure for Rhodes, it ended up under the rubble and the strength of Greek bulldozers. I don’t know where this chair that I borrowed will be. Maybe someone will be sitting there. Or they will sit alone, listening to the sound of the sea waves.

I learned one thing from reading photography books by professional photographers. It is that you have to walk a lot. You must know how to wait, watch, and look around. The day I visited the Asclepeion, I chose this archaeological site dedicated to Asclepius, God of medicine. I preferred to walk for miles. I chose walking rather than using the tourist buses or colorful trains. Surprises were certainly not lacking, despite the scorching heat.

The title of the article tantalizingly hints at the revelation of extraordinary photos from three enchanting Greek islands, so I made a conscious effort to bypass the usual monuments on my journey to Asclepeion (and believe me, there were plenty!).
On my return from Asclepeion, I stumbled upon a very old car nestled within a fenced field. With a surge of curiosity, I attempted to sneak inside. Alas, a gate stood in my way, and a vigilant dog (was it a guard?) approached slowly. A wave of apprehension washed over me at its sight. Yet, I sensed that deep down, it was merely seeking a respite from the sweltering heat.

… and when the evening comes, Kos showcases colored lights. These lights mirror into the sea and make it even more beautiful.

I know. I take a lot of photos of the sea. But do you know something more beautiful? However. First photo: water reflections right in front of the hotel where I was staying. One of the many restaurants had a good idea. They created this space on the beach. It makes dinners more romantic.
Second photo: Agia Paraskevi church in the center of Kos. Although this facade is in very good condition, the rear one is all cracked and sagging. A pity not being unable to enter for a visit! Third photo: a fisherman on the tourist pier. There are a few there. Fourth photo: the road leading to the main port. The color of the sky obscures everything else.

Rhodes

The first program included a visit of only two days here in Rhodes. Still, when I arrived at the airport, I decided to change my flight. I chose to stay another 4 days. I admit. Traveling as a photographer makes everything much more beautiful and fun. There are many more friendships, new encounters and the days are more intense. Anyway, the best photos were taken in these four days, in my opinion.

How can I say: the holiday you don’t expect.
About 3.20 at night.
I hear noises in the street and open the window from the sixth floor balcony. The roof of the old windmill caught fire!
I am very afraid because it is windy. From the 6th floor, it is not easy to get off. Still, the firefighters seem very prepared. We got the idea that Greece is a beautiful country. It is full of hospitable and cheerful people. Yet, it is not prepared for such eventualities.
Mistaken!
Finally some beach? No not yet! After six days and 15 kilometers of walking, I saw the sea only through the lens of my Canon.
Relaxation is not mentioned yet. I walk and walk again and this time I get lost in the countryside along the coast.
But I promised you in the title that you would see Rhodes like never before,
Right?

After passing through the (almost) unspoiled countryside, a strip of divine beach began. The encounters in these kilometers under the scorching sun were extravagant.

Meanwhile, the lizard, that with its mutant colors was hiding on a wall near the road. But in the end, here it is!
I chased the butterfly through the dust and the still tall cornfield. It finally decided to settle for a moment.
It was around the time I passed a nice gentleman on a little bike. Then, I could lie down on the beach for the first time in a few days.
Along the west coast, tourism is less pressing. In some places, it is possible to have tens and tens of meters of beach all to yourself. Some natural shade too, of course.

The same goes for those who “surf”. There are kitesurfing schools around here. There is no conglomeration of tourist ships like in the center of Rhodes. You have all the space you want.
And finally I too can relax for a few minutes …

Sea, sea and other sea. After this day, I can become a real “tourist” apart from Symi. I will try to observe the sea and the beach. I want to see all that I had lost in the first two days with a different eye.

. On the west side of Rhodes, the wind and waves are much stronger. The small beaches of the old town are more sheltered. The same goes for sunrise and sunset.
To see the sunrise over the sea, go to the old town or to the beaches to the east. To see the sunset, head to the west. I was in a hotel in the center for the first two days. I stayed here on the west side for the last four days. The wind and the colors of the sunset are unique!
No doubt!

I spent countless hours on the beach. I was waiting for someone to jump from the highest diving board. Children are fearless but others waited for tens of minutes … and I with them to take a picture of someone jumping into the sea

It must be said that Rhodes also has a beautiful old town, with really interesting views that not everyone can notice …
I hope to show you something new. You have already seen hundreds of photos of this fascinating island. Its beautiful city center might surprise you. You may feel a little sad at the last sunsets before leaving for home.
Before moving to Symi and, with a little sadness, at the last sunsets before leaving for home …

One of the most attractive streets in Rhodes is the one leading to the castle. At night it is illuminated by many lights that you can see at the top right of the wall

Symi

Symi is a small island or about an hour by boat from Rhodes. Its architecture is very particular and, for this reason, it is “overrun” by tourists during the high season. As you can see from the photos, it is also the island of stairs. Each small staircase leads from the lower part of the village to the houses located higher up. In winter, of course, the island empties completely and, as some locals told me, only 300 stay here!
An indescribable calm, I guess …

Among the many boats that leave from the port of Rhodes, you have two landing options in Symi. You can choose the village where I posted the photo above. Alternatively, you can land at the Monastery of the Archangel Michael in Panormitis. You can often do a bathroom break there. Afterward, you can go back.
To be honest, there isn’t much here.
There is the monastery, a few houses, a small beach, and a bar.
If you explore well, you can find a small artisan shop hidden behind two flights of white stairs. Few tourists seek refuge there in the shadow.
But, if you don’t want to miss every corner of the island like me, you can choose mini tours. These tours touch both the picturesque village and the monastery. At least you can sit for a while listening to the silence. You can enjoy the warm calm of this divine place.

All the desolation and charm of the Dodecanese in this photo.
Tourists behind me. Some were inside the monastery. Others sat at the tables of the bar to eat ice cream or to drink something fresh.
I had the freedom to pull out my wide angle lens. I immortalized this part of the port. The view included the arid and dry hills.
A single boat in the small dock and an empty but perfectly preserved bench.
This is Greece too: beautiful and perfect in its seemingly desolate corners, ready to fill with tourists in an instant..

and finally…

I tried to reduce as much as possible the infinity of photos I took in these ten days. You know, when you travel, you often get involved in photographing everything. Still, when you come home, you find mistakes. You also notice a lot of repetitiveness in many photos. Some people were in front of the camera to play and joke, and I took great photos of them. However, I didn’t ask for permission to publish. In any case, there is a photo that moved me a lot. The last one with which I will close this article. The last one I took from the sixth floor of the hotel. I waited for the cruise ship to pass under the blazing sun.

PS: if you are an expert photographer, any comments or judgments are welcome (even negative of course!)