On the headland above the harbour sits the ruins of the 14th Century Castle of the Knights of St John, one of many Crusader Fortresses built throughout the Dodecanese. This is now home to the island museum and houses some interesting artefacts and archealogy. The Greek flag proudly flies from the top most point of the fortress.
This impressive looking church in the square at the top of the hill was never finished, the coloumns inside the church are reputedly from the ancient ruins of Patara in Turkey. By the side of the church near to the Mediterraneo Taverna is the Ossuary or Honeftiro in Greek, it has a small plaque with a skull and cross bones above the door.
As well as the school in the square there are the churches of Agios Spiridion and Agios Panagyria {the Virgin Mary}.
Just beneath the Castle on the path around the cliff side is a lonely little Lycian Tomb from the 4thC BC.
The Turkish Lycian coastline has an abundance of these tombs carved into the rock and with such close proximity to this area, it is inevitable that there would be similarities in the archaeology.
Right at the harbour entrance is the little Ottoman Mosque which has been restored andnow houses an Ethnological Museum with a small but nice collection of photographs, doors, utensils, jewellery and local costumes.
Up the hill close to the airport is the Paleocastro, or Acropolis.
The ruins may not be of great interest to many but you can scramble around for a good hour. Probably the best time to go is just before sunset as the vantage point is superb for sunset photos over the surrounding small islands and sea.
Behind the harbour on the top road are the whitewashed stone steps that lead all the way up the mountain.
This is a wonderful walk with views over the harbour, surrounding islands and Turkey. At the top of the mountain is the large church of St George of the Mountain, and if you scout around the flat rocks in this area you will come across the ancient 'patitiria' circles carved into the rock for crushing olives and grapes.
The Blue Grotto {Parasta} which is found just after Navlakas Bay is well worth a visit. The early morning light shines into the cave turning the water into a shocking blue and lighting up the stalactites. The cave is quite large at 75 meters long, 40 wide and 35 high, making it a rival to the famous Blue Grotto in Capri.
Several taxi boats make the trip throughout the day, depending on the weather. Sometimes the sea can be too high or too rough to enter safely, so the alternative is to swim in-but beware it gets very cold!
At the bottom of the Old Town, the Archaeological Museum is housed in the beautiful building that was originally the 'Hospital of the Knights'
The two floors and an internal courtyard make a wonderful setting for the archaological finds from around the island.
One of the most well known discoveries is a small marble statue of Aphrodite, better known as 'The Marine Venus', so named by the writer Lawrence Durrell whose book about his time in Rhodeswas titled 'Reflections on a Marine Venus'
During the winter months admission is free on Sundays.
First class museum situated in the heart of the 15th century Citadel, in the former Governor’s Palace. Dedicated to Bastia’s highly interesting history. An absolute must visit. Closed on Mon.
Tel : +33(0)4 95 31 09 12
www.musee-bastia.com
Family house of the Bonapartes, filled with artifacts and history about Napoleon and his family. Very well set-up with exhibits and an audio guide.
Tel:+33(0)4 95 21 43 89
www.musee-maisonbonaparte.fr
First class art museum located in the old town.
Tel: + 33(0)4 95 26 26 26
www.musee-fesch.com
Educational aquarium, located on the water in beautiful West Boothbay Harbor. Showcases a collection of regional fish, including sharks and invertebrates. The highlights are the touch tanks and interactive displays that encourage discovery learning. Great for kids. Open daily in season, from 10 to 5pm.
Tel: (207) 633 9674
www.maine.gov
This museum is tucked into the former Keeper’s Quarters of a picturesque and still active 18th century lighthouse, one of Maine’s most photographed. The harbor view from the surrounding Fort Williams Park is stunning! Open daily, 10am-4pm.
Tel: (207) 799 2661
www.portlandheadlight.com
Multi-purpose entertainment and sports facility hosting a wide variety of concerts, shows, sporting events, and trade shows. Located within walking distance from the harbor.
(207) 775 3458
www.theciviccenter.com
Step back in history while visiting this village/museum showcasing model and full size locomotives, old automobiles and tractor pulls. Visitors can ride on a coal fired train through a replica of a century old village.
Tel. (207) 633 4727
Lovely lighthouses abound in Maine, and this museum is a tribute to these sentinels of the ocean. The museum is located opposite Buoy Park in Rockland Harbor. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; 10am-4pm on weekends, in season.
Tel: (207) 594 3301
www.mainelighthousemuseum.com
One of the most respected small art museums in the country, located in downtown Rockland. Superb collection of paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures by renowned native Maine artists or international artists with connections to Maine. Open daily, 10am-5pm, in season.
Tel: (207) 596 6457
www.farnsworthmuseum.org
Maine’s largest museum showcasing American artists with Maine connections, including Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper, as well as fine displays of Early American furniture and crafts. Open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Tel: (207) 775 6148
www.portlandmuseum.org
Beautifully preserved 19th-century Victorian mansion, with spectacular architecture lavish and sophisticated in interiors. Open for interesting historical tours.
Tel: (207) 772 4841
www.victoriamansion.org
Auditorium located within walking distance from the harbor, offering great venues for music and the performing arts.
Tel: (207) 874 8200
info.porttix.com
Amazing ten-acre open air living museum depicting the evolution of life in Portsmouth over four centuries. Costumed interpreters providing demonstrations of trades and insights into earlier Portsmouth times. A must visit while in the region.
Tel: (603) 433 1106
Arts center offering a great mix of entertainment for over 130 years. Musical events, plays, dance show and films are showcased in a historical building located downtown.
Tel: (603) 436 2400
Located just a few hundred yards from the waterfront marinas, this old market building complex, built in 1742, is one of Boston’s many landmarks. Besides an open market, it was also a meeting place for the town government and a central place during the revolution. Today, it hosts a mix of shops, food counters and a museum.
Tel: (617) 242 5690
Interesting museum housed in the home of wealthy philanthropist's Isabella Gardner and showcasing her personal art collection. Closed Tue.
Tel: (617) 278-5188
www.gardnermuseum.org
One of the world’s greatest museums, the MFA is especially acclaimed for its impressionism paintings. Open Mon, Tues, Sat and Sun, 10am-4:45pm, Wed and Fri from 10am-9:45pm.
Tel: (617) 267 9300