Rhodes Overview

Rhodes (Rodos in Greek), lies between Crete and Turkey in the Aegean Sea, a branch of the Mediterranean Sea. Rhodes is the biggest of the Dodecanese islands. Named the sun island or island of light there are hardly any days when the sun doesn't shine. With its subtropical climate and over 320 days of sun per year you can be guaranteed a good tan on your holiday. Rhodes is one of the most popular holiday islands in Greece - even Greeks themselves come to Rhodes for a holiday from the mainland.

Rhodes today offers the visitor a multitude of all year round leisure alternatives, covering all types of tourist activities. The natural beauty of the island, the monuments from her long and often turbulent history, a cosmopolitan character, as well as the warm hospitality generously offered by the people of Rhodes, and an excellent tourist infrastructure boasting the most modern hotels, all captivate the visitor.

The modern city of Rhodes is one of the biggest municipalities in the Greek islands, with about sixty thousand permanent residents. It is the financial and cultural centre of the south-eastern Aegean, and successfully combines a lively present with a rich historical past. There are many reasons why Rhodes is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean: the natural surroundings, crystal clear seas, many parks and recreational facilities, the bright sun and the warm hospitality of the islanders themselves.

The city has an excellent tourist infrastructure and offers a wide variety of entertainment (night-life, sports, cultural events, and day trips to wonderful Lindos and the neighbouring islands like Kos, Patmos, Karpathos, Kalymnos and Leros). Finally, visitors have the opportunity to learn something of the eventful history of the city, visit the museums or go sightseeing.

With the best sunshine record of all the Med islands, summer holidays to Rhodes are hot. If you'd rather travel in the balmy days of spring or autumn, you've got the best chance of glorious weather at a fraction of the cost.

Rhodes is renowned for far more than its cloudless skies; clear blue seas, soft sand bays and olive grove hillsides, excellent shopping, romantic temple ruins and a fabulous Old Town – quaint, quirky and bursting with atmosphere. There's a feast of bars, restaurants and tavernas for everything from your favourite fast food to true Greek tradition and fine specialty cuisines. And there are clubs, disco's and a casino for those who come alive at night, not to forget golf, walks and watersports for dawn to dusk activity.

Places to visit

Rhodes Old Town. The Old town of Rhodos exerts all the fascination of centuries past. It offers the visitor an inexhaustible wealth of sights to admire. Encircled by strong mediaeval walls a typical example of the techniques of the techniques of the fortification of the 14th -15th century built by the Knights of Saint John, to protect the city from all dangers, from land or sea.

Lindos. Here the medieval village has been preserved. It is built amphitheatrically at the foot of the rock and is dominated by the acropolis of Lindos. The most , important monuments on the archaeological site are: the temple of the Lindian Athena, the great Doric stoa, the Byzantine church of Saint John, the monumental staircase and the propylea.

Epta Piges. The "Seven Springs (Epta Piges)" flow among shady plane trees and rich vegetation. In the inland areas of the island there are also many charming villages: Psinthos, Dimylia, Eleousa, Salakos, Embonas, Archangelos, Siana, Laerma, Profilia, Apolakkia, Mesanagros, Kattavia

Afandou. Founded in times where pirates used to overrun the islands of the Mediterranean, the village of Afandou took its name form the word "afandos", which in Greek means "invisible", because it could not be seen from the sea. Afandou is one of the largest and oldest villages on the Island of Rhodes. Filled with fruit-bearing and olive trees, the village has a population of about 7.500 people. Almost anything you may need can be found there as it has stores and shops of any kind. The beach of Afandou extends to a length of over 3Km with rocks and caves on the far left for the adventurous. You should also not neglect to visit the unique church of Our Lady Katholiki. The church is decorated with wall paintings originating from the 17th Century. In August the church celebrates and a big religious festival is being held.

Valley of Butterflies. A short drive inland will take you to Petaloudes, a scenic gorge which from June to September is home to the rare and eye catching Kalimorfa Butterfly. Set in a lush green valley with a small river running through it, beautifully arranged with little wooden bridges, stone steps, and a path leading to the Monastery of the Virgin of Kalopetra.

Gastronomy

The unique tastes of Greece guarantee that you are in for many culinary surprises if you stay in the country. Greece benefits from a huge coastline - 1/5 of the country is made up of islands including Rhodes, as a result, fish and shellfish are abundant, and very popular. Lamb is the most popular meat..., and is cooked in so many different ways - roasted, braised, marinated and grilled, baked, broiled and stewed. The sun tends to smile on Greece too, and so vegetables are delicious and ripe. Herbs and vegetables that grow well in a brilliantly sunny land are common, such as oregano, thyme and mint, and eggplant, artichokes, tomatoes and fava beans.

Greece has a culinary tradition of approx. 4,000 years with the first recorded cookbook in history by a Greek Archestratos (330 B.C.). Nevertheless, Greek cuisine has both influenced others and embraced ideas from its neighbours but is above all Mediterranean and provides a very distinct local character. Traditionally, the Rhodian table was rich in variety and this tradition continues today.


There are numerous “shop front” taverners catering for the tourist, but venture a little off the beaten track and there are many restaurants offering high quality local dishes. But don’t expect a quick meal, the food is plentiful and meals are traditionally an event in themselves.

Starter - It is common to start a meal with a range of appetisers (mezedes), similar to those served in the Middle East and North Africa, or Spanish tapas.

Main - If you make it through to the main course the possibilities are almost endless. Moussaka and Kleftiko are the best known; the former being the classic dish of spiced minced lamb and aubergine baked with a cheese topping, and the latter being basically chunky pieces of lamb baked with thyme, oregano and garlic. Of course we have to mention the wonderful fresh fish and the Greek Salads (Feta, Oregano, Cucumber, Onion and Tomato) that are also very popular.

Dessert - As far as puddings are concerned, the Greeks like them sweet. Pastries and baklava are commonplace, as are poached fruit and syrup-soaked sponges. That said, sorbets and ice creams are cropping up more often these days.

Gourmets from all over the world have good reason to visit Rhodes as they have the chance to enjoy local specialties that brilliantly combine traditional and modern tastes. Details of our favourite restaurants are available for guests in Villa Petalutha who fancy a night off from home cooking.