The word “Ilyssion” is a peculiar geographical and mythological word combination: (a) of the name of Ialysos area, ancient and modern, (b) of the name of the Elysian Fields from Greek Mythology.

Ialysos: The oldest city of the island of Rhodes. It is estimated to have been built around 1500 BC. From ancient Ialysos descended the famous Diagoras of Rhodes, the Ancient Olympic Games Champion (5th-century BC). Ialysos lies on the west side of the island of Rhodes, between the lush green Filerimos mountain and the rocky sea. Because of it, in this area a man can only see and experience the sunset. Not the sunrise. Generally, on the island of Rhodes, the sun rises from the areas of Kallithea, Faliraki and Lindos (east side) and sets in the areas of Ialysos, Petaloudes and ancient Kamiros (west side).

Elysium: Or Elysian Fields, the final resting place of the souls of heroes and virtuous men, after their death, according to Greek Mythology. A paradise with blooming meadows, where eternal spring reigned and the sources of Oblivion (= Forgetfulness) gushed nectar, the drink of the Gods, which made the souls of virtuous mortal men to forget all earthly tears and hardships.

Beautiful Sunset Scenery: In Greek Mythology, the resemblance between: (a) Sunset as a beauty scenery, and (b) Death of the Virtuous Men, as above, lies in (1) their transitional nature and (2) their beauty as “endings”.

Sunset symbolizes the conclusion of the day, a beautiful natural day-ending performance before the following night, which it’s not final, but transient, as it goes again, circularly, giving its place to the exceedingly beautiful sun rising of a new day. It mirrors the End of the Virtuous Men Life as something not final, as life cycle of non-virtuous (= sinful) people is birth, life, and eventually death, but also as a transition to something heavenly beautiful. A brand new paradisal life at the Elysium. As beautiful as a new dawn. As lasting as the End of Days.

So, this is the idea and meaning behind “Ilyssion Holidays”: A beautiful place, full of colors and aromas, with a lush green unique orangery, near the sea, where the sun sets. An almost paradisal place, resembling the mythical Elysian Fields, the ultimate destination for good people, longing for a new, almost paradisal, experience.