Symi, Greece

Symi town harbor is tucked into one of the island’s many corrugated coves, many of which enfold sand beaches. The island is located just offshore of the Turkish coast in the Dodecanese chain near Rhodes. The harbor is fronted by ranks of unusually colorful neoclassical houses, and steps lead to the upper town of Ano Symi and the requisite Kastro. The Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis is an important pilgrimage site for the Greek Orthodox adherents and boasts a likewise unusually colorful and elaborate bell tower. The town has thirteen major churches and dozens of chapels, many dating to the Byzantine era of its multifaceted history. Also in the harbor is a War Memorial with a bas relief of an ancient trireme fronted by a Dove of Peace.