And update - we've just got back from a week in Rhodes yesterday, so while it's fresh in my mind I thought I'd put a little guide together.
Rhodes the fourth largest greek island to the east, a short boat trip from Turkey. So there's islands around Rhodes you can visit with a passenger ferry, and the passenger ferry was a very fast boat with full aircon and plush seating out of the sun (think more of an airplane without being as cramped). The capital of Rodes is Rodos with an old town, a new town, a large number of hotels, the airports and the ports.
History - there's a lot but it can take time to travel
Sports - diving and windsurfing/kite surfing around the south tip looks awesome! I did some snorkling from the boat. Being a old windsurfer I'll add a post on that later.
Shops - it's possible to take a day trip to Marmaris where you can take in some Turkish shops and bazaars.
Churches - there's lots of monasteries and churches, in fact every town starts with a church being built and the church lays power and water... after that the locals move in and build their houses etc. We had a stop at church but religion isn't my thing and I'm not interested in actively seeking out.
Hiring a car - there's a lot of hire cars and quads etc, you don't need to hire at the airport and lot of the hotels allow you to book at the reception. Quality of driving is not as bad as UAE but patience is not something native drivers have, expect some 're-education' from the locals at the traffic lights (I've seen this a couple of times - both hire-native and native-native). There are roads (quite a few) that you can't do with a car, this is where the 4x4 excursions pay off. A couple of days with a car may be all you need to explore.
It is safe to say patience is not a native quality it seems - and being told off for being in the wrong spot by the bus driver for example also happens regularly I've noted - especially being late
, add heatwave annoyances, paradoxically although there is an island pace so things happen slower on the whole.
Whilst we were there it was a heatwave for the average temps, the maximum temps hit 37-38degC. We also had one windy day. After that it settled down to an an average of 30-32degC which was still higher than normal. Always have some water resistant/proof Factor 50 suncream handy (even if you have some 30 or 15 too) plus some CAT3/CAT4 polarised sunglasses are a must. The water resist/proof is simply because you will sweat and you don't want to be constantly applying suncream.
They'd not had the rain they'd normally have over winter so the lakes/reservoirs were lower than normal. Early season (now) is usually cooler, but later in the season it can easily hit the same heat wave temps we had.
Wildfires do happen and last year's fire evidence you can see with burn trees if you venture out around Lindos and other areas. Lindos has its own micro climate and is usually a few degrees hotter than Rodos and other areas. It's bizarre as you drive into that area you can feel the heat level rise, then when you leave it drops.
The sea temps are cool (as in cold when you first hit the water as you're in 30+degC heat outside) but then there's no need for a wet suit as the water temp is actually really comfortable once in so I suspect it's around 23degC in the bays we swam. Water is clear as a bell as a you'd expect and so a snorkel is a great option to add something.
Pack some midge repellant and bite cream if you're going out of the hotel later at night.
We travelled by Tui, got a taxi transfer and stayed at the Atrium Palace near Lindos. There's three Atrium hotels - "Atrium Platinium" close to Rodos, the first hotel "Atrium Palace" mid way down the island and then the "Atrium Prestige". The newer Platinum is not "on the beach" as such but that road has the option of a buses into Rhodes itself. Palace you walk out what is an essentially an exclusive beach for the hotel. The Prestige is beach side but its location in the south south means it's a car trip out and about if you want some personal freedom. The Palace had a car rental in the hotel foyer, same with many other larger hotels.
We decided NOT to go for an all inclusive deal, but instead took a bed and breakfast. As we'd decided we'd do a lot of excursions rather than sit by the pool, this is a good thing - I can see the value for an all inclusive if all you want is sun. That all inclusive is expensive and I got the feeling that some people were drinking continuously by the pool just to get their money's worth - same with the food. For a large family by the pool it may make sense but you'd be best todo your sums based on what you want todo.
Breakfast - was a large, eat as much, style buffet - there was everything (hot cooked meat/fish, cold meats, cereals, fruit, continental, waffles, even cake and sparkling wine) plus fresh cooked omlettes etc.
Lunch - same, lots of options (note the buffet changes between breakfast, lunch and dinner) but most of the time we were out and about.
Dinner - offered an evening buffet (full wide range foods) plus set plates based on the themes. The fillet steak was very good but they will cook and deliver it as soon as you order, so they don't wait. There was a couple of other restaurants which seemed decent but for us the buffer just allowed us to turn up whenever.
When out and about - the advice I was given from the locals, if you're next to the sea then eat seafood/fish and not meat, and viceversa, if you're inland/mountains eat meat and not seafood/fish. I stuck to that rule and had muscles twice without having any issues. In terms of water then drink bottled water and plenty of it. One of the locals was saying that although the tap water can be safe to drink it varies where and when.
Spa - the Atrium Palace spa is calm and relaxing, you can spend a day in there without it being very busy (there's ample pool space and multiple pools) but what is nice is (like the rest of the hotel) it's clean and well maintained. Lots of types of massages and we took a 90min full body couple massage, a 40min Indian head massage (was very good supposedly) and a 90min pacific full body massage (better than couple massage). For €15 you have the spa for the day, and it's included with the massages (so you can book a massage and then have the whole day before and after the massage in the spa). Facilities - sauna, steam room, cold pool, spa pool with multiple different areas including the usual Jacuzzi, various jets, etc plus the normal healthy food and cold teas. There's also a full gym if you want.
Excursions - you can book via the Tui app (seems to be more expensive than booking via the hotel). Also the hotel had additional trips.
On the footwear, I would say pack a pair of light walking boots with light socks and back strapped sandals. Quite often you'll not get good (and even incorrect) advise when booking the excursion. I would also pack (or buy at the resort shop) a pair of mesh/rubber deck shoes. I noted in the resort shop they had deck shoes, masks/snorkles/flippers, but being size 12 feet I took mine just not to risk not finding a fit.
Our trip:
Wednesday - flight was delayed 3 hours, taxi, but finally got to the hotel so had to order room service. When they mean French fries with the burger they delivered crisps.. after complaining we got that free. So that was a disappointment when you've been awake since 5am..
Thursday - booked excursions, spent the afternoon poolside.
Friday - transfer bus to Rodos, old town (palace and museum), ferry to Symi, looked around and had lunch before ferry back.
Saturday - Whole day Spa day and massage.
Sunday - Seven Springs, Wine tour (well a vinery) and ate lunch under olive trees at the local village restaurant.
Monday - 4x4 safari (very good whole day trip out), we saw the south and around both coast in middle of the island across areas that you couldn't take a car.
Tuesday - boat trip from the beach (very good whole day trip out), then found out they had a stargazing evening (good but got bitten by midges!)
Wednesday - morning in the spa, massage, and then taxi to the airport
In short - there will be enough todo for 7-10 days, after that you may find yourself wanting to look further afield (Marmaris) or do some sports.
That will do for a post, I'll add some excursion specific posts later today.
