A Tour of Rhodes (Rhodos)

Member Name: pishton

Product:	Rhodos
Date:	11/08/00 (323 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to see and do.

Disadvantages: Very Hot in Jul/Aug

Come with me for a trip around the Greek Island of Rhodes.

Rhodes is a popular package holiday destination for the British. In fact on UK day at the airport (Wednesday night/Thursday morning) you won't see another destination on the arrivals board.

A late deal package holiday is the cheapest way to get here in the height of the season. Outside July/August there is so much spare accomodation that you are better getting a flight only deal and sorting yourself out. English is spoken very well here and you will get accomodation that suits you, not the travel agent.

Rhodes is very, very hot. Insist on air conditioning, rare in older hotels and appartments, if you want a good night's sleep.

Having arrived, where do you stay? Let's go clockwise around the island from the airport.

From the airport to the northern tip of the island is about 12 miles. This is the strip of coastline most heavily developed for tourism. Due to the prevailing winds it is also right under the landing approach so aircraft noise is high, especially at night. The beaches here are the most unattractive on the island. The sea is too rough for snorkelling or comfortable swimming, but not wavy enough for exciting watersports. It's nice to see that Greek planners are as warped as British ones.

The two notable places here are Kremasti and Trianda. Kremasti is a pleasant village with accomodation mainly being apartments. The village has less of a touristy feel than most. It is very close to the airport though. Trianda is where the big hotels are, it is sprawled along the beach and is very tourist orientated.

The northern tip of the island is taken up by Rhodes Town itself. Split into four distinct areas the capital of the island is very cosmopolitan and will take at least a full day to see properly.
The commercial harbour is home to a constant stream of Mediterranean cruise liners and the cargo port for the island. Here is
the place to take a hydrofoil to Turkey for some cheap shopping.
Mandraki harbour is the old port. It has a medieval breakwater with a fort at the end. The most famous pictures of Rhodes contain the three remaining windmills of the thirteen which originally stood here. This is the yachting centre. Government offices line the harbour shore interspersed with some nice waterside tavernas.
Inland from Mandraki harbour is the New Town. Home to the usual new shops. These range from Marks and Spencers up to Gucci etc.
Inland from the commercial harbour is the Old Town. Medieval walls and forts surrounde tortuous streets packed with shops, tavernas and old hotels. It is always possible to find accomodation here, even if it is in somebody's house. Takced on to the Old Town is the Turkish Quarter where you cn see the influences of Ottonav occupation.

Moving south from from Rhodes Town you pass many beautiful beaches and coves. Being on the East of the island the beaches are sheltered from the wind and the water is calm and clear. Good snorkelling and scuba diving here.

Here you will find Falaraki. Falaraki is Blackpool but hotter- enough said!

More picturesque places include Tsambika and Ladiko. Steep cliffs and enclosed coves make for stunning views. Accomodation here is more expensive but worth it to be away from the crowds.

Half way down the East coast is Lindos. Make sure you have good grips on your shoes here. The steep streets are paved with flagstones that have been polished by countless feet. The Accropolis dominates Lindos. It dates from the 4th C BC. A donkey will take you up for a fee, but the climb is not hard. Be careful coming down as the paths are paved with decorative pebbles which are smoother than the flags. You can easily end up sliding into one of the jewellry or ceramic shops which line the streets. Loads of guest house type accomodation here.

The coastline from Lindos south to Cape Prasoniss
i, at the tip of the island, becomes more and more sparsely populated. Bus services to this part of the island are infrequent. Going North up The West Coast, back to the airport, the beaches become more and more built up.

The interior of the island is mountainous. At 1215m Mt Ataviros is only 100 or so metres shy of Ben Nevis. Guide books say the round trip to its summit from Embonas takes 7 hours, 3 is more like it, but take plenty of water. There are good views of Crete and Turkey from the summit. It is not a technically demanding walk at all.

Like many countries, Greece has a roof tax. This means that building owners have to pay if their property is completed. This crazy law leads to every building project never being completed and a general feeling of disrepair. The skyline is dominated by jutting concrete re-bars. These extend to walls so be careful of children.

Food on Rhodes reflects its history. Occupation by Greeks, Italians, Turks and Germans through successive wars and now by British tourists in the summer means that you can get most types of food. It is hard to pay more than £15 for a good three course meal for two, including wine.

Rhodes is great because of its myriad of different places to go and activities and its compact size. I recommend it for a week away.

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