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 In days of old when knights were bold they found the island of Rhodes, close to the Turkish shore at the merging of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, and set it up as a fortress to protect the Christian west from the invasion of the infidels from the east. Today the island, the main one of the 12 making up the Dodecanese group, is still subject to invasion, but now the intruders are tourists, who come to revel in what is reputedly the sunniest Greek island, and to have fun in the medieval city the knights left behind. The town of Rhodes, on the northern point of the island, has preserved its picturesque walled old city as a playground for visitors. In ancient times the harbour here was guarded by the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but now some statues of deer have taken its place. Nevertheless the old part of the city has plenty of wonders still to offer and the modern part of the town is just as vibrant. The rest of the relatively large island offers miles of beaches, interesting archaeological sites and natural beauty spots. The best beaches are on the east coast, between Faliraki and Lindos. Lindos is renowned as a particularly picturesque town that has been designated a protected historic settlement.Rhodes Resort reviews
Afandou is an attractive traditional Greek village with a three-mile stretch of pebble beach and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Evening entertainment revolves around the many traditional tavernas and a few bars in the village. For a complete change of pace and scenery, the hectic resort of Faliraki is only a short distance away. Afandou mainly attracts families and couples who like to relax yet have a central location. Afandou is a 35 minute drive from the airport in car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 90 minutes.
Faliraki International in style but Greek in spirit, Faliraki is one of the liveliest resorts on Rhodes attracting a fun and beach-loving crowd. Superb Beaches Boasting a magnificent sandy beach where water sports are plentiful. Faliraki is a busy and lively resort situated some nine miles from Rhodes Town. There is also an 18 hole golf course which can be found at the nearby resort of Afandou - just three miles from Faliraki. Best suited to the younger crowd. Faliraki is a 35 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 90 minutes.
Haraki is a bustling fishing village with sandy/shingle bays, complete with a good selection of restaurants and bars and a picturesque promenade. Many people return to Haraki year alter year especially couples who want to relax and unwind in a small coastal village. Haraki is a 50 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 90 minutes.
Ixia Bright and bustling Ixia is the nearest resort to Rhodes Town and perfect for a beach holiday. Ixia's pebble and shingle beach is two kilometres long and there's windsurfing at all levels. (Warning) The beach falls quickly away and is therefore unsuitable for young children. Lining the beach road are some of the best Hotels and restaurants on the island. By night the resort takes on a cosmopolitan feel with many bars and discos coming to life. With Rhodes Town only a five minute drive away. Ixia offers the best of both worlds as well as being ideally situated to explore this beautiful island. Ixia is a 20 minute coach transfer - 15 mins by taxi from the airport.
Kalithea's surprisingly green mountain backdrop helps lo make it a great place lo escape from everyday life. Couples and older people like its tow-key ambience: a few bars and restaurants, and one disco. The beautiful, green mountain setting complements a coastline of rocky coves, sand and rock beaches and crystal clear waters offering watersports. Kalithea is a 30 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to an hour.
Kiotari is a small resort 70km from Rhodes airport, centred around two large hotel complexes. There is a long sandy beach that leads into shingle where sun beds and umbrellas are available. For daytime entertainment it is best to stay within the hotel complexes, as there is nothing much to do in Kiotari except relax in the sun. This is a resort popular with families and those wishing for a lazy break. Eating out is limited to two family-run tavernas overlooking the beach. An attractive resort with potential for development into a bigger tourist area.
Kolymbia The small but up and coming cosmopolitan resort of Kolymbia. on the island's southeast coast offers a good range of facilities in a pretty spot. A relaxing and peaceful haven, there's a magnificent beach, ideal for swimming and watersports. and perfect for sunbathing. In the evening, entertainment tends to be centred around the hotel, but there's a small selection of tavernas and cafe bars in Kolymbia. Lindos and Faliraki are a short taxi ride away if you're seeking a more upbeat nightlife. Kolymbia is a 40 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 90 minutes.
Lardos On the southeast coast not far from the beauty - and crowds - of Lindos. Lardos retains its typically Greek village atmosphere. The resort area is near its long sand and shingle beach for sunbathing and swimming; the hot sun is usually tempered by cool sea breezes. Even by night, the village of Lardos offers a quieter scene with only a few bars. Lardos is a 1 hour drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 2½ hours.
Lindos Traditional Charm Dazzling white washed houses nestled on a hillside overlooking a curving bay on crystal clear water and golden sandy beach. Crowned by the magnificent ancient Acropolis, undoubtedly makes Lindos this islands Jewel in the Crown. There's a quieter beach at St Paul's Say 1km away and Pallas Bay. where calm, warm waters come ringed with soil sands dotted with sunloungers, and an opportunity to purchase some famous Lindian pottery. Lindos is a 1 hour drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 2½ hours.
Pefkos Set on a pretty bay surrounded by pine-clad hills, this relatively undiscovered resort has probably the best beach in Rhodes. The beach is a fine expanse of soft sands (with some pebbly areas) and the village offers a very good range of restaurants, from traditional Greek to fish and chips. After dinner, order a Greek brandy in one of the nine or so bars, or take a taxi over to the discos of livelier Lindos. Warning: Pefkos is located on the side of a hill and is thus not suitable for the less mobile. Pefkos is a 1 hour 10 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 2½ hours.
Rhodes Town has something for everyone. Situated at the north end of the island this captivating town is a harmonious blend of old and new attracting many visitors. The town has a lively and cosmopolitan air with its splendid array of boutiques, excellent restaurants and nightclubs. Not the best beach on the Island but it has a long shingle beach with good water sports. Rhodes Town is only a 15 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi and only 25 minutes by coach.
Stegna The beach resort of Stegna is situated on the eastern coast on the way from Faliraki to Lindos. The beach is mainly sand and shingle but never gets overcrowded even in the peak season. The evenings are spent along the beach front in one of the 20 or more restaurants or tavernas. There here is a Cocktail Bar called Mercedes Cocktail Bar right in the centre of Stegna which has been there for 4 years now. It offers English Snacks during the day including English Breakfast and in the evening a wide variety of cocktails and beers and long drinks. It is open until 2am and has one of the best views around. It offers live music once a week and Karaoke once a week in high season. Give Mercades a try and tell them Fred sent you. The pace of life is slow and relaxed, with Greek atmosphere and would suit families and couples looking for a relaxing, peaceful holiday. Stegna is a 50 minute drive from the airport by car or taxi but coach transfers can take up to 90 minutes.
Tholos The developing resort of Tholos is situated on the west coast, just a short drive from the airport. The wonderful scenery around Tholos lures more independent tourists who seek a quieter social life than that offered by the island's more livelier resorts. Days can be spent on the large pebbly beach, with watersports available June-September. Nights can be spent sampling the fare in the range of international restaurants set below the village, before relaxing in one of the bars. Warning: Like Trianda it may be too close to the airport for some people.
Trianta/Ialyssos Trianta has succeeded in giving its visitors a more traditionally Greek atmosphere than its nearest neighbours, while still providing good hotels with lots of facilities. You can visit its Byzantine monastery to admire the intricate mosaics, then pop down to the shingle and pebble beach, just a ten-minute walk from the village centre. At nighttime the local bars and tavernas cater for both British and Greek taste as do the restaurants. Warning: May be too close to the airport for some people.
Rhodes Travel Facts: Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Money: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros. Language: Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but a visa is not required. Health: There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
Tipping: The tip is often included in the bill in a restaurant. If not, leave between 10 to 15 percent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expect change as do cloak room attendants and porters.
Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. The bombs that exploded in central Athens outside a police station on 5 May 2004 were not targeted at tourists, but visitors could be caught up accidentally in such incidents. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.
Communications: The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels. |
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