Since then the program has year after year increased in numbers of Blue Flags. The criteria have during these years been changed to more strict criteria. As an example, in 1992 the Programme started using the restrictive guideline values in the EEC Bathing Water Directive as imperative criteria. In 2001 FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) decided to become a global organization.

Every year, the International Blue Flag Coordination conducts a detailed evaluation of selected Blue Flag sites, focusing each time on a slightly different set of spot-check criteria. In 2008 over 3200 beaches and marinas were awarded the Blue Flag while 37 countries are currently participating in the Blue Flag Programme: Bahamas, Belgium-Flanders, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and Wales. Aruba, Brazil, and Malta are currently running the program in the pilot phase.

HSPN runs the flag program for Greece, rating beaches and marinas on the quality of the seawater, the infrastructures, the organization of the swimming area services and environmental activities.

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

A small river, named Pelecanos, flows down to a narrow valley, ending with a waterfall that tumbles into a green pool. On the bends there is a forest of zitia, a species of tree that excretes an aromatic raisin, which is said to attracts the butterflies. The combination of the valley’s microclimate with its exceptional flora, creates the ideal environment for the breed of a large population of caterpillars, that live on the trees and feed from the tender leaves.

In the beginning of June, the caterpillar is transformed to a beautiful moth and moves towards the wetter areas. Flying only during the night, the butterflies spend the entire summer into the cool, humid habitat of the valley. They mate during the last weeks of August and in September, most females fly away from the valley – in some cases they fly for more than 25 km – to lay their eggs in safe dark places, preferably among bushes and the plants and then die.

During the summer visitors can observe a unique phenomenon that made the valley famous. Millions of months gathered on the trees, in some cases covering entire tree trunks, resting for the night. Aside from the butterflies, the valley is full of lush vegetation and rich fauna. Surrounded by huge rocks, century-old trees and the flowing crystalline water, a narrow pebbly pathway with wooden bridges will guide you through a scenery of rare beauty until you reach the top of the creek. Lower, in the entry of the valley, there is a small but interesting Natural History Museum where visitors can learn more about the valley of Butterflies its unique ecosystem. There is also a souvenir shop and a restaurant.

The area is ideal for walks into the nature of Rhodes. There are several paths you can follow. For more information read our guide.

View videos: [1] – [2]

¹ Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of EU nature & biodiversity policy. It is an EUwide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitat.
² Greece has a total of 359 Natura 2000 zones, many of them located on the islands. On Rhodes there are 2 different zones the second one (GR4210005) extends over an area of 27.514,59 ha at the south-western part of the island.

[download id="9"]

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

The Earth needs more people like you who care about environmental issues, more people who will use their voices to defend it – and more people who will take action to protect it.

This Earth Day an open invitation is addressed to you to join Greenpeace and help build a movement to save the Earth.

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

The International jury awards prizes in both the international and national competition categories. Τwo audience awards are coordinated by the Rodos Cinema Society. These are given for an innovative approach to conservation issues, a daring proposal of subject matter and overall artistic quality.

For participation enquiries contact info@ecofilms.gr (deadline 01 March 2010).

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

• The Kresten Royal Villas and Spa, located on a hillside near Kallithea will feature a total of 203 rooms, including villa suites with private swimming pools and double rooms with Jacuzzis and balconies offering views of the Aegean Sea.
• La Marquise, is also a five-star complex located on the outskirts of Rhodes, near Faliraki, boasting 386 rooms in nine different themes. The property will also have an environmental angle, with energy-saving lights and the use of technology to reduce chlorination in the swimming pools among the eco-friendly measures being put into place.
• The third is the five-star Aquagrand hotel that will be opened on the beachfront in Navarone Bay, at about 1.5km from the village of Lindos. Visitors will be accommodated in 87 guest rooms, 48 suites and a maisonette, each of which will have modern facilities including LCD televisions and internet access.

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

Seven Springs (Eptà Pigès, Επτά Πηγές) is a great place to escape from the heat of the summer and enjoy a magnificent natural scenery. It is a romantic destination surrounded by woodland and green, distant about 30 km from the capital, on the road that leads from Kolymbia to Archipolis and Eleousa, towards the mountain area of the island. The seven bubbling springs generate water all year long, culminating in a small man-made lake that provides a natural habitat to tortoises, eels, crabs and a rare fish species called gizani that lives exclusively in the creeks of Rhodes.

[WPFlickr tags="epta%20piges"]

The access to the lake is really popular with visitors and a tremendous experience. The combination of crystal-clear waters with pine and plate trees creates a peaceful scenery, offering the visitor relaxing moments. To get to the lake you have to walk through a very narrow dark tunnel 186 m long. The tunnel, constructed back in 1931, leads the water of the seven springs and river Loutanis to the lake. Almost at the middle its length, there is a well used as an air-shaft. Walking through the dark tunnel with your feet in the running water, is an eerie yet exciting and unforgettable experience that can be particularly refreshing. If you don’t fancy the trip through the tunnel, then you can simply follow a walking path to the lake.

The lake itself is about 200 m in length, 10 to 50 m wide and from 1 to 8 m deep and has a small cascade at its narrow end. It is used as a depository for the irrigation of Kolymbia region. It is the only place in Rhodes where visitors can enjoy a swim in fresh water. Surrounding the springs are beautiful cool pine trees and rich vegetation. There are many little rustic bridges and rivers, numerous footpaths and the area is known for the geese, ducks and peacocks wandering through the woods.

The area belongs to a Natura 2000¹ protected zone (GR4210006) together with the Valley of Butterflies (Petaloùdes, Πεταλούδες) and Mt. Profitis Elias².

[download id="9"]

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

Before you go away on holiday, there are a few things you should consider if for the environmentally aware you want to leave a lighter carbon footprint. Find eco-friendly destinations on the web. Contact hotels to find out their eco-awareness before you book. You should know that per person, buses and trains consume a third of the fuel a car does over the same distance.

Airplanes, particularly over short distances, emit five times more carbon dioxide than gasoline-powered automobiles. Plan your itinerary and excursions; reduce the number of flying hours and find the most environmentally friendly way to make each trip. Check to see if the company you have chosen to travel with has invested in a carbon offset. A carbon offset is a financial instrument representinga reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; in other words, it is a way to pay for the gas emissions each of us is responsible for by buying credits in, for example, renewable energy industries.

There are many firms offering this service in Greece, such as Climate Friendly, which collaborates with the WWF and Atmosfair, chosen by the Green Ecology party. Care needs to be taken to ensure the firm in question truly does work for the environment. Many claim it is better to give the money directly to a reputable environmental group.

Recently, the Green Key an international eco-label for leisure organizations, has been adopted by hotels that promote eco awareness. A hotel or organization to be awarded with the Green Key must fulfill technical criteria, management criteria and criteria on communication. Onsite checks are performed regularly on all Green Key owners. The Green key is unique in the sense that it also focuses on environmental education. The criteria has demands on staff, guests and suppliers in involvement in its criteria. In Rhodes, currently only one hotel is Green Key awarded, the Imperial Hotel at Ixia bay. Aldemar Paradise Royal Mare in Kalithea uses solar power for the 85% of its energy consumption.

Some airlines recycle garbage or have some other eco-friendly policy. Find out before you book with them. Opt for daytime flights. A survey by the University of Reading found that the white trail left by aircraft across the sky contributes in raising temperatures more when emitted at night.

As ecology has become fashionable beware of anything bearing the prefix “eco” (from hotels to products). Take rechargeable batteries with you, along with a solar charger, and remove the packaging from objects you put in your case. Before you leave, turn off all electric switches and remove all plugs from sockets. Empty the refrigerator and turn off the main water supply to reduce energy consumption and avoid a water leak.

Use public transport. Buses and trains consume a third of the fuel per person than the fuel a car consumes over the same distance. Rent a bicycle or walk where you can. You’ll learn more about the place that way. Use a thermos flask instead of plastic bottles – they keep water cold longer and don’t pollute. Avoid throw-away items such as disposable razors. If you choose a hotel in the Check Out for Nature program you will be helping WWF in its work. When you check out, the hotel adds 1 euro (or its equivalent) to your bill to be donated to the NGO.

Avoid using the air conditioning as possible. Don’t waste water and turn off the lights when you leave your room. Don’t use toxic insect repellents. Use a mosquito net or use repellent candles such as citronella, natural pyrethrine or basil. Burning coffee gets rid of wasps. You don’t need to change sheets and towels every day. Many hotels have already stopped this practice.

Remember the golden rule – take nothing away but memories and leave nothing behind but your footprints.

Dimitris Karavellas, director of WWF Hellas, had the following advice to share:

• Whether you go to the beaches of the Aegean or the peaks of the Alps, how you travel can have a huge impact on the environment. Try to take vacations closer to home, or pick locations that you can reach by other means of transport rather than airplane.
• Rent a bike. They are not only environmentally friendly and cheap, but also a great option for sightseeing. Choose accommodation with effective waste treatment systems, that recycle, that are energy efficient, and, where possible, that use environmentally friendly energy sources, such as solar energy.
• Conserve water and take showers rather than baths.
• Limit energy use, including your use of air conditioning and hot water. Turn off all lights and taps when you leave hotel rooms.
• Think twice before you buy any products made from any endangered species, including animal hides and body parts, tortoiseshell, ivory, or coral – they could be illegal.

WWF needs supporters, distinguished friends and volunteers. Alternatively, you can adopt a threatened species. Children can join the Panda Club. Businesses can also help WWF. If you prefer to go it alone, follow WWF’s tips for daily life as a first step toward changing habits and protecting the environment.

WWF Hellas, 26 Philellinon, Athens 10558
tel 210 3314893, e-mail support@wwf.gr
www.wwf.gr

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).

Like in 2008 during this season Greece ranked again 2nd, behind Spain (493) with 424 awarded beaches. The cherished flags, will this year fly at the following beaches of Rhodes:

Discover Rhodes - Your holidays guide on the Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos).