We booked the trip independently, flights, accommodation and car hire. We arrived in the evening, car hire company there ready to meet us and drove to a well sign posted Lindos, first of 2 stops, later we would be staying in Rhodes Town. Apartment was just the right of the Lindos, an area being developed with apartments around a horseshoe road serviced with supermarket and petrol station. The apartment was spacious with large living area and bedroom with balcony (and sea views!) During our stay here we looked after several kittens and cats! Has to be done when in Greece! But these kittens were so young bless so supermarket visits included treats for these. 

I am writing this trip report 2 years after the event so using my photos, fb check-ins etc. to aid my memory!

Day One

As it was October and I had not been well for a few months (and still not fully) & Russ a wee bit stressed and tired from being an amazing husband looking after me, we headed to the St Paul's Bay for a spot of snorkel ling and bathing in the warm sea. 

Snorkel ling was a real bonus on Rhodes, we saw lots of variety of fish, fish we had not seen in the Caribbean or Maldives, strange looking fish! Which unfortunately yet again our underwater camera, new model, failed us so we were unable to identify these.

We first visited as a couple in 2008, (I have been with friends in my 20’s) which was horrendous, summer crowds just too much. Our second visit however to St Paul’s Bay was perfect. A warm sunny day, calm sea, hardly anybody around, yes, we virtually had the place to ourselves. It was a completely different experience from our last visit with family and friends in the height of summer where 8 of us shared the shade of one sunbed and an inch of sand (plus cat who was able to make the most of the shade under the sunbed!) We spent virtually the whole time bathing in the sea which also was full of bodies!

This time we were the only ones bathing in the sea and the choice of sunbeds was all ours sharing with a handful of other tourists! Looking back at the photos at this time of year it is a magical bay full of character with the Lindos Acropolis on the cliffs above. 

I spent virtually the whole time snorkel ling, we were situated on the east side of the bay and snorkeled along the rocky sides, finding Pipe fish, colorful eels, usual variety of Med fish together with some very strange looking fish! Once we have swam the area together I am then OK to investigate on my own whilst Russ chills with his book in the shade. I also go for a walk to check out the church on the headland taking in the views and photo opportunities.

Later we head to the southern-west part of Rhodes, the Cape of Prasonisis (Prassonissi). It is located 40Km from Lindos. Russ takes the opportunity to swim in the 2 seas as were a few other tourists running from one side of the strip of sand which separates the 2 seas. 

We continue our drive to Monolithos where just outside the village is a Venetian Castle on top of a 100m rock. The castle was built in 1480 largely ruined but offers great views of the sea and 2 islets opposite. Inside the castle is a small working chapel, the climb is up very smooth steps cut into the rock. We continue our tour of southern Rhodes heading along the West Coast. Our next stop is Fourni beach between Apolakkia Bay and Monolithos. The sea has some great waves which is fun and refreshing. After drying off we walk up and over the limestone cliffs in search of the caves I had read about. Another 2 couple arrived and failed to find them but we did not give up and climbed down to the left to discover the caves. This is partially an organised beach with 10 sunbeds at one end. We were the only ones here using our faithful shower curtain and towels lying on the soft sand. It has a hidden parking area behind the beach and greenery all around.

Our next stop is a beautiful small village Siana, where we take the time to have a coffee and visit the beautiful church. Inside was just stunning really was. We travel along windy mountain roads in central Rhodes using our map to ensure we cover as much as we can and not missing a thing! It was during this section of our drive that we drove up a road surrounded by pines and came across a beautiful hotel. We couldn't’t resist to take a look inside. It was just adorable, the perfect setting for Mr Hercule Poirot to solve a murder! It was called Elaphos and Elaphina built by an Italian 1930 and when restored has kept many of its original characteristics keeping in the original style. See the photos and their stories for more detail

We then drove through the mountain scenic roads heading south passing Ghadhouras Dam. Spotting another photo opportunity we pulled over, camera in hand and I zoomed in using my bridge camera to see the Cormorants and an Eagle on the Dam. We started to head down the hill to the take a closer look and as we got nearer to the water a herd of Deer ran before us through the trees. Fabulous sight. After a while of observing the birds near the waters edge we returned to the car to continue south to the area where in 2008 the forest which was burnt down. This is a large area which is shown on our map, The Terrain maps. we stopped off at a Monastery Thrira and then not far to Lardos returning to Lindos.  

We spent another evening in Lindos loving the lack of people, such a different experience from our last visit in the summer months. 

 Day 2 18th October

Today we headed north from Lindos taking in the Seven Springs which we were to be honest disappointed with, not really sure what we were expecting but glad we were not on a tour and in half an hour we were back on the road.

  We had spotted huge hill on the coast in between Kolymbia and Sfougaria. On top was the small church Panaghia Tsambika. You can drive half way up taking in fabulous views along the winding road. There is a car park in the trees and then you are on foot walking up numbered (saves you counting them!!) steps, 350 of them! Totally worth the effort though for sure! It is a tiny Byzantine church perched high at 300m. The views were just amazing down the coast line north and south all the way to Lindos. The Tsambiki beach looked empty and fabulous so we decided that was our next stop. 

We found all but one taverna shut down with one in the process of removing drinks machines, fridges etc. Again it was great as majority of sunbeds had been removed leaving a fab large sandy bay. We spent a few hours here and the photographs may amuse you. As you can see I got bored and decided to take some daft photos of us sat behind our make shift wind break! We ate at the one and only taverna open on the beach. 

Next we headed south along the coast to Sfourgaria and Stegna stopping off snorkeling and eating. Walking the bays around the rocky headlands, I just have to know what is around the corner!  

We return to the apartment and our cats and kittens are waiting for us! 

We had such a cracking night last night ending in a bar, well,outside it was tiny, dancing the night away that we decided tonight would be our "mad" night. So we walked the fab streets of Lindos taking in cocktails at each bar. The outdoor indoor tavernas near the harbor had great carvings as these were the Captains houses. The bars were virtually empty but we had great night and ended the early hours at the 2 clubs, very small clubs with the locals but loved our night. 

Day 3 19th October 
 
 Lazy morning and day as it was club night last night so we first took In some beaches we missed on the east coast traveling south, spending an hour or so on Glystra, this beach we again had to ourselves other than 2 guys removing the last of the sun beds. I leave Russ snoozing and take a walk around the headland taking in the views and butterflies and dragonflies. 

We drive on having lunch at I think must have been Kiotari or Ghenadhi with the locals and walk around the long stretch of sand again having all to ourselves. We ended up staying here and watched  the sunset, a beautiful romantic sunset from the deserted beach, just Russ and I.
 

Day 4 20th October
 
Today we head to,the famous Anthony Quinn bay near Faliraki. We think we didn't spend time on the bay as there was not much sun. It's a very very small narrow beach. So we head to Ladhiko around the corner a small sandy bay. We spend time snorkeling and I go on my usual walk to investigate the bay. we decide to stay and Russ pops off to Faliriaki and comes back with a picnic, plates, knifes the lot! Writing this the holiday so far has had a lot of beach time but that is what we also needed in particular Russ as it had been a stressful 6 months. Anyway loved our picnic and we decide to stay and read. Sun leaving us we head over to a small rocky side opposite the beach and hire 2 sun beds. We of course snorkeled and it was here we saw some very strange fish right on the surface of the water. Russ snoozes, reads, I snorkel, read and film a crab for ages watching it eat in a rock pool. Boring to some but fascinating to me! 
 
We stayed there till mid afternoon and then leave to head back stopping Lindos stopping off at a busy town called Archangelos where we found our way through the maze of streets to the Castle at the top of the hill. st .George Castle which dates back to 1453. 
If we drive past somewhere and see something interesting we just have to stop. 


Archangelos has some 6,000 inhabitants. The church of the Archangel Michael dominates the center of the village, with its fine campanile dating from 1845. Thanks to the traditional houses painted in vivid colors and their arches and walls decorated with ceramic plates from Lindos, the narrow streets around the church retain a distinctive atmosphere.

  We enjoy our last night in Lindos Village as we head to Rhodes Town the next day to a new hotel to explore the streets of Old Town Rhodes and the top half of the island. 

Here are some links to You Tube Videos

https://youtu.be/_zFwWRzTnKk
https://youtu.be/jv7hu-OT2Yk