The Rhodes less travelled

My wife and I often choose Greece for holidays. The sun is always shining, the food is amazing and the people are really welcoming. We’d been to lots of Greek islands, but we’d never been to Rhodes. So off we went to experience the rich tradition, archaeological sites and of course the fabulous beaches of Rhodes. Exploring Faliraki We rented a car in the village of Tholos and drove to Faliraki beach. The shallow, warm waters and fine sand made it ideal for sunbathing and swimming. After a couple of hours at the beach we had a wander around the shops and stopped for a drink at a Jamaican-themed bar. [caption id="attachment_7230" align="aligncenter" width="1037" caption="Cross at Filerimos"][/caption] Kamiros Beach We then drove west from Tholos to visit Kamiros beach. It has a beach-side restaurant with full service, umbrellas and sun beds. Our tummies began to growl around midday so we gorged on Tzatziki and freshly made bread to start, followed by a traditional Greek Stifado and feta-laden salad. It was totally delicious. [caption id="attachment_7231" align="aligncenter" width="968" caption="Cobbled streets Rhodes Old town"][/caption] Rhodes Old Town Surrounded by medieval walls enclosing centuries of history, the old town is a maze of charming cobbled streets packed with souvenir shops, quirky bars and traditional restaurants. We enjoyed sitting back in a local bar, watching the world go by nursing a two-litre cold beer served in a glass boot. Street Food: Gyros We were served seriously tasty Gyros – Greece’s ultimate street food. Made up of oregano and spice marinated pork or chicken that has been roasted on a spit, which is then thrown onto a soft round pita alongside salad, chips and Tzatziki... a great snack! Ancient Monuments The Colossus of Rhodes, a 98ft statue of the Greek-titan god of the sun “Helios”, once stood at the harbour entrance - like something out of ‘Game of Thrones’! In ancient times it stood for around 52 years until an earthquake destroyed it in 226BC. Two pillars topped by a bronze stag and deer now mark the bygone era. [caption id="attachment_7232" align="aligncenter" width="1382" caption="View from Filerimos"][/caption] Ialyssos Town Located around 8km from Rhodes is the town of Ialyssos. Driving inland you will climb to reach one of the highest viewpoints on the island overlooking the bay of Ixia with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. At the top is the ancient Monastery of Filerimos which was built in the 15^th century. From the gates of the Monastery you can walk down a long path through the trees surrounded by peacocks which roam freely all over the site. At the end are some steps that lead to a huge cross and viewpoint. We want to go back! There was so much more that we weren’t able to squeeze into our holiday. If we went back, we’d take the chance to visit the valley of the butterflies and swim at St Pauls Bay after visiting the Acropolis of Lindos.  Rhodes is full of beautiful beaches, picturesque villages and cultural sites and is perfect for couples looking for a wonderful beach holiday.

About the author Howard works in eCommerce at leading online travel agent, On the Beach.