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Visiting Rhodes Like a Pro

more than a year ago
Although it has been associated with mass tourism, in recent years Rhodes offers more and more exclusive experiences. Avoid the busy Socrates Street in the Old Town and prefer Knights Street at night. Skip the famous beaches and drive south - the lower you go, the fewer people you will meet. Choose your accommodation according to what you are looking for on your vacation, chart a course for the rich hinterland and you will discover the many and different faces of the island. Seek the silence and harmony in the south of the island. If you prefer to be in the centre of Rhodes and have a different kind of fun you can visit the casino instead. 
An Alternative guide to Rhodes © user32212, Pixabay

1. Accommodation with Medieval Colour

The Old Town is quite touristy and busy, but there are many quiet corners where you can really enjoy its atmosphere. In such places, there are two boutique accommodations, fully harmonized with the spirit of medieval architecture and aesthetics. In the 700-year-old building where the Marco Polo Mansion is housed, you will see the imprint of all the ethnicities that passed through the Old Town of Rhodes. The floors "come" from the Italians, while the work of Mehmet Aga, who lived here, is the small Ottoman windows and the hammam. Coloured wooden ceilings, old wooden doors, selected furniture, and an amazing inner courtyard, where interesting dishes of the day are served for dinner, complete the experience.

The Red Door has a rich history: from a knight's residence in 1350 and Hoxha's house in 1700, a carpenter's workshop in 1912, and a ruined building in 2008, was renovated with great care and respect for its identity. The Deniz Suite has the most beautiful view from the sahnisi, the covered wooden balcony.

2. Stay Fit on Vacation

From pilates and beach volleyball to evening tennis and aerial yoga, Gennadi Grand Resort is ideal for those who do not want to give up their training under the pretext of the holidays. It has three large outdoor pools, where aqua aerobics classes are held, an indoor gym with treadmills, instruments, and weights, while there is the option, with extra charge, for a personal trainer, hiking, and mountain bike.

3. Historical Luxury

It was named "the big hotel of roses" because of the colorful rose garden that surrounded it. The Governor of the Dodecanese Mario Lago ordered its construction to a Venetian company and in 1927 the luxury hotel was ready. Since then, all the prominent visitors of the island, from Eleftherios Venizelos and Winston Churchill to Aristotle Onassis and Andreas Papandreou, stayed at the Grande Albergo Delle Rose. In 2002 a complete renovation took place. All rooms and suites have a classy atmosphere and feature a jacuzzi, Bulgari toiletries, and 24-hour room service.

4. Hi-Tech Situations

The top floors of Rodos Palace, from the 7th to the 17th, house the rooms and suites of the concept abav2. With large windows overlooking the sea and modern design, they offer exclusive benefits and hi-tech facilities: high-speed wi-fi, lighting, temperature and humidity control system with touch screen, smart TV. Even the shower functions can be adjusted via a touch screen.

5. Rejuvenation and Wellness

Deep hydration of the face with aloe, relaxing massage with essential oils, reflexology for tired feet, and many other treatments are offered by the spa centre of Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa. The indoor heated pool with a jacuzzi is what you need for the first days of vacation, to get rid of the stress and anxiety of everyday life.

6. A Day in Lindos

It could be the capital of a Cycladic island, Lindos, with its white houses and citadel at the top of the hill, offers a beautiful landscape bathed in the summer sun. The temperature rises a lot in the summer months and the truth is that you will hardly find shade. Start at the spa of the hotel Caesars Gardens. Swimming pools, hydration treatments, massages, and thalassotherapy will refresh you until late in the afternoon. The time of sunset is the right time to explore the straits of Lindos. At the Cozze Champagne Rooftop Cocktail Bar, you will have a view of the settlement and the sea, enjoying a glass of champagne or a well-made cocktail.

7. Progressive Rhodian Cuisine

This is how executive chef George Troumouchis and his team describe the dishes served at Noble Gourmet Restaurant. On the top floor of Elysium Resort & Spa in Kallithea, you will enjoy the incredible view and a degustation menu inspired by local ingredients and the Rhodian culinary tradition but made with modern techniques and a fresh look. The highlights of the menu are the pitaroudia and the cod with tarama.

8. Drink and Dine at Mavrikos

The Dodecanese was still under Italian occupation when Mavrikos first opened its doors. In the pebbled courtyard with the vaulted arches and the mulberries, you will taste its award-winning dishes, traditional and a little more creative. The food has the nobility and courtesy of themselves, owners, and staff. Prefer wine from local wineries, at very good pricing.

9. Appetizers at Sunset

On the coastal road, KoumpaRaki is the definition of a good tavern. Fresh red mullets in the pan, cuttlefish with its ink, grilled squid, many choices in ouzo and tsipouro. The ideal time to go at sunset, to watch it dive into the sea.

10. An 89-Year Old Fish Tavern

Since 1932, the Kozas family has been serving seafood on the beach of Stegna. Today the third generation continues the tradition, keeping the freshness of the raw materials and adding culinary ideas such as the fish served with beetroot cream or the grilled shrimp that comes with boiled potato and cream tartar. Do not miss the calamari rice, seafood spaghetti, and smoked octopus. Plus, the large wine and ouzo list.

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