I immediately proposed my candidacy, but warned that I had practically zero driving experience, although I had my driving license for two years now: 14 out of 15 lessons with an instructor, occasional participation in karting competitions, plus a few and short trips in friends' cars. The only thing is, I absolutely do not care what kind of gearbox is in the car - automatic or manual. Natalya Grantovna has been driving a car for a long time and confidently, but only an automatic, and with cars with automatic transmission in Rhodes it is difficult. Svetlana Grantovna owns a manual transmission, but, unfortunately, she arrived without taking her license with her. A “family” decision was made that in the event that I didn’t get lucky with a machine gun, then I would sit behind the wheel, and Svetik would insure me in places, in which case. Ivan Grantovich dropped out of the candidates, as he was indifferent to cars.
There were no problems with the rental. The choice of cars is not very wide, but quite sufficient. price list car rental price in Rhodes- from 40 EURO per day. The longer the rental period, the more discount you can get: if you rent a car for a week, then renting a car can cost you 25-35 EURO per day. The aunt in the rental office promised us a special price, since in total we ordered three cars at once (not only the Grantovichi decided to drive around the island). We took the miracle of the Korean auto industry Hyundai Getz, from all that was offered, it was he who had the most powerful engine. It cost us 25 EURO. The only thing is that, with a gun, it’s still not luck.
0 km. Getting to grips with the steering wheel
On the morning of May 9, after breakfast, during which, according to tradition, I flashed a glass of juice to the Germans with the words “For the Victory !!!”, the aunt from the rental office kindly handed me the keys. The mood at that moment was rather contradictory. On the one hand, I really wanted to drive, on the other, I felt a great responsibility for people and other people's property, and on the third, fear. But, having met this handsome silver, I realized that everything would be good. The presence of a CD-receiver and a working air conditioner added positive.
The first goal of our "victorious march" was. From the hotel to the old town the road took 10 minutes. We already knew the city well, so there were no problems with travel and route. Once again, I admired the view that opened from the northernmost cape. At this point, the Aegean Sea passes into the Mediterranean. The waters of the first are not always very calm. A fairly strong wind almost constantly blows from the Aegean Sea. The Mediterranean, on the other hand, surprises with absolute calmness, the water is only occasionally touched by small ripples. From the northern cape, which is called the Aquarium, an underwater sand spit goes out into the sea. It is she who is considered the border. And just live you can see how abruptly the exciting Aegean ends and the peaceful Mediterranean begins. It was still morning and the body had already begun to demand at least a little caffeine. In the old town - in fact, a well-preserved medieval fortress of the Knights of the Order of St. John - on Hippocrates Square we were able to quench this thirst.
The car was left in the parking lot, near the gates of St. Catherine, fortunately with parking here, unlike in Kyiv, there are no problems at all. As soon as we crossed the border of the old city, we immediately plunged into the real Greek flavor. Souvenir shops, clothing stores, jewelry stores, ice cream sellers. And behind the counters - sluggish and unhurried Greeks and Greek women. Never rush or fuss. And right! Apparently, this is one of the main factors of their longevity. The only ones who are very active are barkers in local taverns. The struggle for the client is very violent and almost at every corner. And it's not scary that everyone promises the most exquisite food and excellent drinks. This is true, only in each institution there is some kind of zest. We took the advice of experienced people and sat down in a tavern, where several locals were already having breakfast. It is in such establishments that you can always get a lot of pleasure from food, drinks and atmosphere.
16 km. Visit Mr Quinn
The next goal of our rally was the city of Faliraki. The town is quite colorful. It looks like a quite traditional Greek settlement with an abundance of shops and restaurants. But in fact - the most party place in Rhodes. A lot of vacationers from the States and Britain. Sometimes it seems that he was in a Negro ghetto, but in fact everything is quite calm. What was very surprising was the long queues at the tattoo parlors. Apparently, the locals are making a considerable turn on this.
Faliraki is also famous for its beaches - yellow clean sand, calm sea, umbrella, sun lounger, even a glass of local "Mythos" - and I'm in paradise. But I'm driving, it's impossible ... To be honest, it was very difficult to restrain myself, since the Grantovichi did not deny themselves pleasure, and I had to be content with fresh juices.
Immediately after leaving Faliraki on the municipal highway heading south, we nearly missed a turnoff to a very significant place. Fortunately, Natalya Grantovna, as the chief navigator, corrected the route in time. Don't miss the pointer to Cape Ladiko. The famous Anthony Quinn Bay is located there. This American actor of Mexican origin played the Greek Zorba in the movie of the same name. In the process of filming, he was so captivated by Greece, and in particular Rhodes, that he wanted to buy a plot of land in this bay from the state.
Despite the fact that the Greeks took Quinn for their national hero, the statesmen refused to sell him, but named this small closed bay after him.
32 books Time to make a wish
We moved further south. I looked at the mileage for the day - only some 20 km, and we have already seen so much. The Grantovichs silently admired the landscapes, but one could tell from their eyes that they were subconsciously looking for a place to eat. “And here we are to the right,” the navigator quietly commanded right in front of the church, at the entrance to the town of Kolympia. We slowly moved deeper into the island, and all the Grantovichi began to ask Natalya in surprise where we were going. As it turned out, we were driving to the Valley of the Seven Springs (Epta Piges, 3 km from the municipal highway). It really is the BOMB!!! A mixed pine-sycamore forest, a winding path downhill - and we ended up in a small gorge, at the bottom of which seven springs break out of the ground. The springs gather into a stream, which passes through a 186-meter tunnel inside the rock, and then forms a small mountain lake. The Greeks say that you need to drink water from every spring and walk barefoot up to your ankles in the water through the tunnel to wash away all sins for seven years ahead. We got another idea. We decided that each spring symbolizes human qualities, which can be strengthened only by drinking water from them. When we began to take turns tasting some water for friendship, devotion, courage, love, etc., a few more people joined us. We hope that this tradition will catch on there.
Now to the tunnel. Dashing thing! Very dark! Only a small luminous opening at the exit is visible. Water flows quickly along the bottom. The width of the tunnel is no more than 70 cm, so you can only move along it in one direction, you can’t even turn around properly there. If you suffer from claustrophobia, then it is better not to go there, although, on the other hand, it is a great way to defeat it. While you are moving along it, carefully stepping on the slippery bottom and sinking your head into your shoulders, there really is a feeling of purity, calmness, peace. Still, there is something in this. Yes, and we were also told that real nymphs live in this tunnel. You need to be careful with these mythical ladies: if you see her, you can go blind, if you look into her eyes, you can die, but if she likes you, consider that happiness has come to you. While I was making my way, honestly, I did not see. Apparently, he scared me off with a camera flash. But on the other hand, he managed to make a wish, which came true upon arrival home.
After such a psychological extreme and water procedures, I really wanted to eat. Right there, near the springs, there is a decent tavern. The menu is quite standard: lamb, goat meat, seafood and a large selection of national snacks. Our meal was joined by the guys from our group, who, in the absence of an experienced navigator, followed us in a second car. As a result, a very hearty dinner for eight people with meat, wine, a bunch of snacks cost only 120 EURO.
Next - Tsambika. This is a rock on top of which stands the Church of the Virgin. It contains a copy of the miraculous icon, which helps childless families to conceive and give birth to a child. Some guides joke that there is even a room in which future parents can immediately begin the process. The road to the church is a rather difficult test, not only for a teapot, but also for an experienced driver - a mountain serpentine with steep climbs (in some places about 45 °) and turns at six o'clock. At first, as we agreed with Svetlana Grantovna, I wanted to ask for insurance, but male pride and obstinacy took over, I decided that I could handle it myself. At the beginning of the ascent, on a narrow section of the road, two obviously “not ours” were driving towards me. By all rights, the one who goes up has the advantage. But these “not ours”, apparently, bought the rights, and I had to “crawl” between them and the iron fence with jeweler accuracy - I had nowhere to go. Then there was a steep climb, and I, not having time to switch from second to first, stalled. Well, sorry, well, inexperienced yet. I even began to worry about what the Grantovichi would think of me, since I didn’t really learn how to start off the handbrake downhill. Auto-training helped: “Pick up the snot, rag !!!”. And in the end, with slipping, raising the engine to seven thousand revolutions (forgive me, poor Getz, he, apparently, has never strained so much before) and with a malicious expression on my face, everything worked out for me. The next rally section is another steep climb with a 180° turn, the road is narrow, on the left is a rock, on the right is an abyss. The Grantoviches were worried, since I had previously stepped on the gas. On the rise in the car there was a woman's squeal and the worried voice of Ivan Grantovich. In turn - a five-second silent scene. Everything, we got up, we are in place. The hysteria ended, but the trembling in the knees still remained.
A rocky path led from the parking lot to the church. At its very beginning, a hill of sand was poured out, next to which there is a sign asking for help in restoring the temple. You just need to collect sand in a bag and lift it to the top, it’s not difficult, but people don’t run on the ball. The church itself impressed me. Just a nice place that gives the impression that time has stopped. A copy of the icon is hung with photographs of children. There are a lot of photos to prove that there is something in this too. Also near it hangs a lot of small coinage depicting different figures. Coins can be bought from the local caretaker. Depending on your need, you can choose an image of a child, any part of the body (to recover, in case of illness), an adult (for the health of someone).
60 km. Changing transport?
20 minutes on the road - we are in. It seemed that this city, as it stood many centuries ago, remained untouched by time. White houses scattered along the slope, the fortress wall, the only thing that has not survived in its original form is the acropolis. The only way to get around the town is on foot or on donkeys. At the entrance to the city there is a kind of parking lot, so you can immediately take the "transport" along with the guide for 5-6 EURO. There is no street system as such. These are not streets, but passages between houses. Moreover, no matter which way you turn on the rise, you will still get to the acropolis. Each house is both housing for locals and a shop or a small tavern. And in the evenings, dance parties are held in the bowels of these houses, and not a sound is heard on the street, but inside at this time there is a real movement.
119 km. kiss of the seas
Before the victory was the last push. During the entire trip to Rhodes, I gained confidence in my own abilities. On the last, longest segment of our route, I wanted to go wild. I was not even scared by the fact of the possibility of getting a fine for exceeding, apparently, the spirit of the kart driver woke up. Moving in the general stream, we accelerated to 120 km / h. The car was easy and confident, the speed was not even felt. So, lightly, we rushed to Prassonissi.
Prassonissi peninsula is the southernmost point of Rhodes. This place is called "The Kiss of the Two Seas". Monumental and impressive. Even the calm Mediterranean from this kiss is worried here. Sitting on a hillock and watching the local kite and windsurfers, I was reminded of the finale of the movie Knockin' on Heaven's Knocking. Everyone just sat silently with one single thought: “We did it!”
Vladimir Bednarsky
I am posting a story about our trip :)
Route.
This time, Rhodes, namely Faliraki, was again chosen as a vacation spot. Tickets bought on their own, cheap could not be found. These can be found when flying through Helsinki. Our flight was from Moscow (Domodedovo), a charter, which, as usual, was delayed by 2.5 hours.
There are two ways to get from Rhodes Airport to Faliraki: by bus through Rhodes with a transfer, or by taxi. We chose the second method, the price of a taxi is fixed, it was 26 euros to Faliraki, we drove back for 28. We returned home through Sheremetyevo without delay. We traveled from Moscow to St. Petersburg on a new double-decker train, the fare in a compartment is a little more than 2000, I highly advise you to ride it :)
Hotel.
We booked the hotel on the website booking.com, guided by the reviews and overall rating of tourists, we were interested in a simple room with a kitchen. For financial reasons, we chose a hotel without a pool. And we sometimes missed it, the sea was cool and we were able to swim a couple of times. Next to the hotel was a bar with a swimming pool, buying a drink in which you could sunbathe and swim for free. On booking, the photos do not always correspond to the description of the rooms, not all the photos have minikitchens, so if in doubt, you can go to the hotel website and try to contact them by e-mail. But we got by without it. Immediately after booking, I received an email from the owner of the hotel, Nikos, with a greeting and warm words. The hotel is called Tasos Apartments, no advance payment is required, they paid for the stay in cash upon arrival.
I am very satisfied with the hotel in general, it is comfortable there. There was a welcome compliment in the form of a bottle of red wine (not bad), fruit, a couple of cups of coffee and cream and a couple of pieces of cake. The room has everything you need, air conditioning and wi-fi for free, hairdryer, TV, large balcony with table and chairs, clothesline for drying clothes. Every morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a lovely lady does the cleaning, changes the towels, and even does the dishes for you after breakfast. She will clean up only if there is no one in the room, she will put things in order on the nightstand and in the room as a whole, neatly fold your pajamas and clothes in the room.
The kitchen has everything you need for cooking and storing food. A couple of tips from my own experience:
1. Take 1 or 2 containers with you to transfer the prepared food there and empty the pot and pan, the pan will fit into the refrigerator, but it will take up a lot of space and you can only heat food in a pan.
2. We also needed transparent food bags, I'm not sure if they are in the local supermarket.
3. Take a sharp knife for meat and vegetables with you in your suitcase, they are blunt and small in the hotel.
4. A couple of bars of soap will come in handy: one for vegetables in the kitchen and one for washing clothes.
Salt, sugar, spices - everything needs to be bought, be sure to have oil, even with it, food often burned on the existing frying pan. Upon arrival, we were given a bottle of detergent and a sponge. There is a corkscrew for wine. There are no paper napkins.
The bathroom has a shower with a curtain, but no matter how hard you try, water still gets on the floor, and if this is a problem for you, you can buy a rag for the floor. There is a mat on the floor, but it is only enough to stand on it with your feet after a shower. There is one large and one small towel for each guest. A small jar of shampoo and gel. Everything is clean and tidy. Advice from personal experience: in order not to pick up a possible fungus (a hotel of a low price category), we wiped the shower tray with specially brought technical alcohol (small bottle), because. Soap does not kill fungus.
The beds in the room were made together, there is a gap between them, which we neutralized with a warm blanket. The extension cord brought from home was very useful, because. The outlet above the bed didn't work.
There are enough hangers in the closet, there is a lot of space for things.
Nikos is very hospitable and always ready to help you with any problem. He is about 60 years old and he is a very positive person. Near the reception there is a bar where you can sit and chat with him in the evening.
Sea and beach.
The sea in May on Rhodes is cool, we were on the Mediterranean. The first week it was uncomfortable to swim, and in the second we swam only in calm weather. Therefore, if you want to swim in plenty, come not earlier than June, but better in September, when there are fewer tourists and the water warms up. Although the local children swam with pleasure. The beach in Faliraki is perhaps the best in Rhodes, sandy, the water is clear, there are no stones. There were few people on the beach due to the beginning of the season and in general there are fewer tourists than in summer. 
In the first couple of days it was relatively cool during the day and in the evening, then it warmed up, during the day it was hot, in the evening it was fine. 
I recommend taking a non-woolen blouse or a thick jacket with you for the evening, if you go in May, the sea is cool in the evening. There are only four beaches: Faliraki A, B, Katafigou Beach and Qatar Beach. At the end of the Qatar beach there are nice big pebbles where you can take pictures, but swimming there is problematic - the bottom is slippery due to clay. There is a nudist beach, but we did not go to it. 
From our hotel to the sea 10 minutes on foot.
Interesting places.
We are in Rhodes for the second time, we have already seen almost all the main sights (Monolithos, Prasonissi, Kamiros, Epta Piges, Lindos). On this trip, we visited not so many places, namely: Rhodes, Anthony Queen and Ladiko bays, Symi Island. Let's start with Faliraki.
In Faliraki itself, it is interesting to see the view from the observation deck, which you can go to after the Qatar beach along the local paths. From there, a beautiful view of the entire town opens up and you can sit there in the evening with a bottle of wine together. 
And so Faliraki is a small town, where there are many cafes, shops and nightclubs. 
Of the interesting places, only the boat station with a small Catholic church and the beach. From there, boats depart for Rhodes and Lindos, as well as excursions to the above bays. 
Church of St. Nektarius on the highway, it is very beautiful. 
There are a lot of cats, at the boat station there is a place where they are specially fed :) 
The fare to Rhodes from Faliraki costs 2 euros 20 cents, the bus brings you to the final stop to the ticket office, where you can see the departure schedule back. Also, a large number of buses run from Rhodes to almost all the main settlements of the island, excursions also depart from there.
Rhodes is an interesting place, from personal experience I advise you not to combine long trips to its shops with a walk around the city in one day, it is very tiring. I will write about stores below in a separate section. This time we climbed deeper from the main tourist places and found a lot of interesting courtyards and streets. A guitar was playing on one of them in a local cafe. It's hard to get lost there, everything is nearby. The city is beautiful and interesting. One of its features is parrots in one of the central squares, which can even climb into your arms, even if you are sitting in a local cafe and do not expect anything like that. In general, Rhodes is worth visiting and repeatedly. 
Anthony Queen and Ladiko bays are a 40-minute walk from Faliraki if you go along the highway. The path is not close, but it's worth it. First, Ladiko Bay will open to your eyes - a nice wide bay with a sand and pebble beach. 
Anthony Quinn is a little higher than her, 10 minutes walk. This is a very beautiful place, a small cozy bay with a pebble beach and dark turquoise water. 
As for the sunbeds in this bay, after 17 they are free. I strongly advise you to take a walk along the path that leads to the parking lot from the bay: there is a great view from there. 
As for the island of Symi, I can say on my own that this is by far the coolest and most interesting place where I have ever been. But first things first. We bought an excursion to Symi in the middle of Katafigou beach from a local very friendly Greek Michael for 25 euros per person. In principle, you can buy many different excursions from him (to Marmaris for 47 euros, to Nisyros-island with a semi-active volcano for 56 euros, to the above bays, etc.), or you can order an individual private water tour to those places where you want to visit (he offered us such an excursion to Lindos for 29 euros, only 4 euros more expensive than usual and several hours longer). 
The tour consisted of two parts: a visit to the central city of Symi and the monastery of Panormitis.
The next day, at 8 am, we were picked up by a bus from the hotel, on which we drove to Rhodes and transferred to the ferry there. 
We sailed on it for about 2 hours, we occupied the lower closed deck, but in principle it was not bad on the upper ones either. The only moment was a slight pitching, but it was not felt at the bottom. 
5 minutes before sailing to the central city of Symi, I advise you to take a place for photo and video shooting at the bow of the ferry - the view is amazing. 
We had only 3 hours in Symi, during which we barely had time to go around its embankment and walk a little along the streets inside the city. I categorically do not advise you to join excursions - they were taken to souvenir shops almost all the time. It is better to go around the city yourself, you will see much more. 
I liked one place in the city most of all, right behind the La Vaporetto cafe: a ladder to the sea, where my husband and I sat down and sat dangling our feet on the water. 
And then we decided to move to the cafe itself. There, when you first appear, the cafe staff throws bread into the water for the fish so that you can watch how they share it. And the fish there are quite large and there are a lot of them, so it's worth a look. 
Three hours later we went to the monastery and in 50 minutes we were there. 
The monastery is pretty, you can go to put a candle inside, you determine the fee for the candles yourself. In addition to them, you will be given an icon and lamp oil. 
But our fun didn't end there. On the lower deck on the way back, the toastmaster of the ferry sang songs with all the spectators from the hall, in the languages of different countries. It was very fun and incendiary. 
We arrived in Rhodes at 19 pm and then we could transfer to a bus that would take us to the hotel. But we did not do this and decided to just walk around the old city, we drove home on a public bus.
Shops and souvenirs.
There are only small grocery stores near our hotel, we took water in large canisters there (we poured it into a bottle at home, much cheaper) and potatoes, so as not to carry from afar, the choice of vegetables is small and the quality is not very special in the evening. A relatively large supermarket is a 25-minute walk on the highway towards Rhodes, after the church of St. Nektarius. 
I advise you to buy there, a good choice and quality of products, a lot of household items and cosmetics of the mass market level. Kura is sold there only as a whole, from meat-pork in pieces for steaks or expensive pieces in a package. A lot of fish, we did not find another place where they sell it. Before buying, be sure to ask the seller if you have chosen the fish - the names are in Greek, you can take squid by mistake. There is octopus and shrimp, but you need a good frying pan to cook them in the room.
In this store I bought Athenas treasures body lotion, simple, it has a lot of smells to choose from, it is available with aloe without fragrances, it is 5 euros more expensive in stores. Buying sunscreen there is very expensive - the cost is from 12 euros, stock up on it in advance.
By the way, cards are accepted in all stores, regardless of size, we paid in cash only in a taxi.
On the other side of the road, opposite the church, a little in the depths there is a butcher shop, there is a large selection, meat, chicken, minced meat are good, they were bought at once for the whole vacation, the freezer allowed. All product prices are listed at the end of the story.
If necessary, you can find all the spices in Faliraki, they are sold in large quantities and the choice is interesting. But do not rush to bring spice mixtures from there - they are quite expensive for tourists, but you can make them yourself at home. Similarly, you can buy a large canister of olive oil and add various impurities to it at home - such a thing is also sold there, only in small bottles.
Faliraki has one main street with souvenir and clothing shops, clubs that are active at night. There are a couple of tattoo parlors and leg peeling parlors with small fish.
Regarding prices: souvenirs in Rhodes are cheaper by 1.5-2 euros and there is more choice. Silver jewelry is also better to buy in Rhodes, right on the way from the final bus stop to the old town (not in the old town itself). The rings there are definitely 2 times cheaper, there are very beautiful and suitable in case you are not sure about the size (they open).
In Faliraki, we liked an unusual magnet in the form of a bottle with sand and shells and a figurine on the neck, 3.5 euros. Ordinary magnets from 1.5 euros. In Rhodes, you can definitely buy magnets with a piece of olive soap for 5 euros for 2 pieces Cheap interesting magnets can be bought in Symi, they are there for 1.5 euros apiece. Postcards are basically everywhere from 25 cents. Everything else is fairly standard, but nice. Also, as gifts, we bought cloth napkins in Faliraki, from 3.5 euros, a ceramic figurine of a ship for 5 euros, a mug with Greece for 3.5 euros.
Alcohol on the main street of Faliraki is more expensive, take it in stores, when choosing Metaxa, choose a glass bottle, 5 stars are preferable to 3., from 4 euros. Local vodka (ouzo) as a gift can be bought in a supermarket, from 5 euros in a gift box.
Prices for clothes are the same as ours. Large selection of hats, prices from 8 euro
As a gift, you can buy a painting in Rhodes, they are wonderful here (15 euros is the optimal size, there are bigger and smaller ones), you can take it with you in hand luggage. A beautiful scarf or stole can be purchased from 8 euros, in Rhodes you can buy 3 thick scarves for 25 euros. A very large selection of leather bags, there are cute backpacks, you can buy from artificial leather for 25 euros. Prices for bags and backpacks are not fixed, you can try to bargain.
In Faliraki, at the end of the main street, there is a Kolos bar, right after this bar there is a nice shop where you can find unusual non-tourist gifts. There I bought myself a very nice bracelet for 4 euros, which matches the color of the local turquoise rings and looks decent for jewelry. Lovers of turquoise shades and similar ones - go there
In Greece, we discovered mini rackets with a rubber ball, you can play them on the beach and in St. Petersburg in nature, from 3.5 euros.
As for cosmetics, there are a lot of them in Rhodes and the prices are different. I advise you to buy the one used by local cosmetologists, the price for a day cream is on average from 30 euros.
Cafes and restaurants.
I strongly advise you to visit two cafes in Faliraki: Kavos, it is located in front of the boat station, at the beginning of Katara beach, and Dimitra, it is located in the middle of Katafigou beach.
In Kavos we tried several dishes. 
I really liked the grilled octopus (9 euros), 
I didn’t like kleftika (8.5 euros), but it’s not for everyone (baked lamb in cabbage with tomatoes). 
There were delicious pork chops with mushroom sauce (12 euros) and mussels with lemon juice (10 euros for half a kilogram).
Dimitar has more choices. 
For the first time we ordered an assortment of seafood there (15 euros), one large plate for two for the whole evening, which included smelt, mussels, breaded squid and anchovies and grilled king prawns. I ordered tzatziki sauce (2.5 euros), in which we safely dipped it all. The second time we ordered shrimps in saganaki cheese (8.5 euros) and grilled octopus (9.5 euros). But in Kavos I liked it more. And for the third time we took the grilled meat platter (18 euros), which is a huge plate with pork, beef, chicken, lamb, sausage and cutlet. Very tasty and great service :)
I publish a photo of the menu of one of the Greek cafes. 
All photos from Rhodes can be viewed in my open album, there are about 500 of them, they are large, so I can’t upload them here, prices for souvenirs and cafes are at the end of the album,
05/10/11, Tuesday, 1st day by car. Today we plan to make the first trip outside our village. There are no specific plans. As they say everywhere, the island is small (78 km long, 37 km wide). For this reason, we first decide go around his round. You have to make sure it's an island. 🙂
On map the red line shows our entire car route for that day. Here is such a balloon or fungus turned out. 🙂
In the morning, traditional bathing and breakfast. Closer to 10 o'clock we go to the rental office to pick up our car. They explain to us in 5 minutes how it works, where which buttons are pressed. So we get in our green Suzuki Splash(POT-5540). Initial mileage 20567 km. Back view:
At 10.00 exit to the mainland. It just so happened that we set off on a trip around the island counterclockwise: from the north along the west coast to the south, then along the east coast to the starting point.
Roads on the western side are very good, however, only 2 lanes, so there were difficulties with overtaking on the island. On the section from the capital of Rhodes to the airport there is a continuous flow of cars, narrow streets in small villages, everyone drives slowly, no one overtakes. After the airport, the road became much freer. Names so far unfamiliar to us are on the signs: Kremasiti, Paradisi, Soroni. Along the road there are fields, olive groves, somewhere in the distance you can sometimes see the sea. Beauty!
We decide not only to observe the diversity of the plant world from the car window, but to touch it even closer. We brake at a small church standing near the road. We inhale fantastic air filled with crazy aromas of blossoming flowers and trees, grass soaked in the sun. We hear birds singing and grasshoppers chirping. And no extraneous sounds disturb this natural harmony, except occasionally passing cars (after all, we stopped on the main road).
To begin, let's go to church. Around a small but well-kept area. The door is closed, but there is a key in the lock. We open and go inside. Twilight and coolness, crackling, a few candles burn out. Apparently, someone was already here a little before us. A small altar and iconostasis, several icons, chairs, candlesticks and a box with candles (a box hangs nearby where you can drop money for candles).
Having joined the harmony of heaven, we again come out to the harmony of the earth. Next to us is a field with forbs and colors. All this looks so charming and elegant!
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Well, we are here, it seems, too - no worse. 😉
And grow a little to the side olive trees.
Their branches are strewn with small, but very fragrant flowers. And the smell… only the bees can still tell how delicious it is. But they are busy with work. I wonder if there is olive honey?
seen in the distance sea. I really want to get closer to him. We turn onto a country road going in the right direction. We are going through some fields and vegetable gardens. In the end, the road leads us to a dead end. But this dead end turns out to be a small house with a stunningly beautiful garden. I have never seen such chic rose bushes almost 2 meters high. It really fits the definition of "bush".
We return to the track and continue our journey. Soon sea comes right up to the road. Along the coast in some places there are rocks, and in some places there are normal beaches.
Near Kamiros(blue circle on the map) we decide, after all, to stop and swim. It's not hot at all outside. The temperature is +21C, but a cold wind blows from the sea and it seems even colder. We reassure ourselves that the water temperature is also +21C, well, we must “try” the sea in another place. The beach is unfamiliar, so we do not risk walking on the rocks in the water for a long time and almost immediately we fall into the waves. 20 seconds of active swimming to warm up, and then ... full buzz! The water no longer seems scalding cold, the waves are so stormy, and the wind in the water is not felt at all.
Having surfed at our pleasure, we continue to move further south. But now the road becomes a little different. She goes through the hills, winding around in small serpentines. There are even fewer cars in this part, however, the speed of movement drops sharply. This does not upset us at all, because now another beauty appears around: mountains, overgrown with grass and trees, stone cliffs, on which it is not clear how flowers grow.
Fantastic landscapes of the neighboring mountains open from above,
What to see in Rhodes on your own by car, where to find a car rental and what are the best routes in Rhodes by car? In this article, we will answer the main questions of tourists about renting a car in Rhodes and give advice on where to go by car and what sights to see.
Car rental in Rhodes is flourishing, many tourists prefer to see the sights of this island of Greece on their own and driving. This is due to the long distances and the not very convenient accessibility of some (though not all) attractions by public transport. If you are interested in renting a car in Rhodes, in this article we will try to answer your main questions.
There are three ways to rent a car in Rhodes.
1. In a rental office. In all the popular resorts of Rhodes, from Faliraki and Lindos to Gennadi and Ixia, there are signs of Car Rent literally at every step (and even “Rent a car” in Russian in places popular among our tourists). Rental companies and tour agencies offer both their own cars and the services of international companies like Hertz or Avis. Come in, look at the cars, ask about prices and conditions. But do not rush to rent a car right away, because there are two more ways.
2. At the hotel. Car rental in Rhodes is offered by many hotels. Many of them post car rental offers, and if your hotel does not have such an announcement, just ask the reception or the hotel owners about it. Prices may well differ from those offered on the street. And if you arrived on a package tour, the hotel guide will kindly offer you a rental car - at a shamelessly overpriced price, of course. You do not need to rent a car from the guide, and.
Renting a car in Rhodes is a great way to see its main sights.
3. Rent a car in Rhodes via the Internet. This is the best way to rent a car in Rhodes for independent tourists who want to drive right at the airport upon arrival. The car will be driven directly to the airport of Rhodes, you just have to get the keys and go on a trip around Rhodes by car.
Of course, the airport is not the only place where you can rent a car. Car rental in Rhodes via the Internet is also available in popular resorts: Faliraki, Lindos, the city of Rhodes (the capital of the island) and some others.
Car rental in Rhodes via the Internet is offered by all major international companies: Hertz, Avis, Budget, etc. You can see all the offers and prices from these and other companies on the Rentalcars website:
On the site you can find not only a suitable car at the best price, but also find out all the terms of the lease, choose a place where you will be given a car and pick it up, choose additional insurance and other options. By the way, the usual standard insurance is enabled by default for everyone.
Site screenshot rentalcars.com. Prices for renting a car at Rhodes airport in September.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Rhodes?
Here are some average car rental prices in Rhodes offered by local and international companies in the "medium season" (June, September, October) when booking in advance via the Internet:
- Economy passenger car (for example, Volkswagen Polo or Fiat Panda) with a manual transmission: from 30 euros per day.
- Economy class car with automatic transmission: from 42 euros per day.
- Compact passenger car (such as Toyota Auris or Ford Focus) with a manual transmission: from 40 euros per day.
- Compact car with automatic transmission: from 58 euros per day.
- Minivans for 7-12 passengers: from 115 euros per day.
You can check the prices for the dates of your trip on the Rentalcars website:
The famous Cape Prasonisi, where two seas meet, is one of those places that all tourists should see on Rhodes on their own by car.
Will a Russian driving license be suitable for renting a car in Rhodes?
To rent a car on the island of Rhodes (and in Greece in general), you need an international driving license. The easiest way to get them is through the website of the State Service, and when ordering via the Internet, you will receive a 30% discount. It's even easier than renting a car in Rhodes: you just need to enter your details, pay for the service via the Internet, choose the most convenient traffic police department and pick up your international driver's license (IDP) on the appointed day.
Some tourists may object: they say, you can rent a car in Rhodes with Russian rights. Yes, you can: in most cases, car rental companies (especially small offices and private owners) do not require an international driver's license. But only those distributors for whom it is important to simply get money from you, and at least the grass does not grow. And if you get into an accident or just stop by the police, driving without an IDP can be equated to driving without a license. So, of course, you can rent a car in Rhodes according to Russian rights at your own peril and risk, and on the way pray to Zeus and Apollo (or whoever is responsible for traffic on Olympus) so as not to get into an accident or into the clutches of the police .
Ladiko Bay is a beautiful place where there are always few people. Because it is available mainly to those who decide to rent a car in Rhodes: buses rarely go here.
What to see in Rhodes on your own by car?
Many attractions in Rhodes are easily accessible by public transport. Many, but not all: there are very beautiful places on the island where buses rarely go, and therefore it’s impossible to visit more than one such attraction in one day by public transport. Here's where to go in Rhodes by car:
- Cape Prasonisi (Kiss of the two seas)
- Butterfly Valley
- Seven Springs (Seven Wonders)
- Mount Filerimos
- Ancient Kamiros
- Monolithos Castle
- Fortress Archangelos
- Monastery and
- Anthony Quinn bay
- Bay Ladiko
- St. Paul's Bay
In general, on a rented car, you can drive around absolutely all the sights of Rhodes.
Tsambika is the most beautiful beach on the island, but buses rarely go here. Renting a car in Rhodes will solve this problem.
Rhodes by car: routes and itinerary with a map
To make a route and plan for a trip around Rhodes by car, first of all, you should choose the places that are most interesting to you and put them on the map. In this simple matter, these articles of ours will be irreplaceable for you:
Route 2 (from Faliraki, but you can also start from the airport): Faliraki - Mount Tsambika (famous Tsambika church and a mountain with excellent views of the sea and the beach) - Tsambika beach - Acropolis of Lindos - Cape Prasonisi.
Dear friends, what do you recommend to see in Rhodes by car? We are waiting for your feedback and advice about car rental in Rhodes, and happy travels!
The island of Rhodes, like the goddess of beauty and love Aphrodite, emerged from the depths of the sea, washed by foamy waves. It was a gift from Zeus to the sun god Helios after the victory of the Gods over the Titans. Helios named the island in honor of his beloved - the nymph Rhodes and does not get tired of admiring it to this day. That is why almost all days of the year are sunny on the island! So says the legend.
O. Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands and one of the most popular among tourists. It is located quite far from mainland Greece and is adjacent to Turkey: the strait of the same name that separates the island from Turkey is only 37 km wide. O. Rhodes has been inhabited by people for more than 9000 years and the historical part of the capital of the island - the city of Rhodes is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
The climate in Rhodes is mild - the average annual temperature is 18-20°C, in summer - 27-29°C, the heat is always softened by the northeast wind. Rhodes is 1-2°C cooler in summer than the popular mainland resorts. Rains in the summer are rare, but in the winter months it rains every 2-3 days.
The best time to visit the island is from late August to early October, when there are fewer tourists and the sea is still warm, like in summer. The beaches are located along the entire perimeter of the island, most of them are sandy, but there are also pebble ones.
The capital of the island - the city of Rhodes - is a city of knights, medieval castles, impregnable fortress walls and high towers shrouded in secrets, and besides, it was here that the Ear of Rhodes was once erected - a giant statue of the god Helios, about 36 m high. (For comparison, the height of the statue "Motherland" in Volgograd without a sword - 52 m.)
Attractions
The main routes of the traveler in the capital of the island will pass through the Old Town, along its original cobbled streets, along the ancient fortress walls and high towers, where the Middle Ages and chivalry intersect with ancient Greek monuments and ancient Ottoman mosques.
An incredibly powerful defensive structure with a total length of walls of about 4 km, which still impresses with its impressiveness. Built in the 14th century by the knights of the Order of the Hospitallers, it withstood the attacks of Turkish troops for more than 200 years. During one of the sieges, the walls of the fortress, which were double and separated by a twenty-meter moat, withstood up to 1000 cannon strikes per day!
To this day, most of the walls, 11 gates around the perimeter, bastions, the palace of the Grand Master and several streets have survived, since the Middle Ages, which have not undergone practically any changes.
- Entrance to the fortress is free, access for visitors around the clock.
- Exact address: Address: Alexandridou 14, Rhodes.
The central street of the Rhodes fortress, which has retained its original appearance over the centuries. When you walk along a street paved with rough stone between stone walls, it seems that the clatter of hooves and the ringing of the armor of a racing horseman are about to be heard behind you.
Here and there, on the walls along the street of the knights, the old coats of arms of the Knights Hospitaller and the old lanterns built into the wall, though already with modern lamps, have been preserved.
The houses on the Street of the Knights are the residences of the "tongues" - divisions of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller from different countries of medieval Europe. Some of the houses are open to the public, for example, the House in which the Turkish prince Cem was hiding, encroaching on the Ottoman throne.
Address: Ippoton, Rodos 851 00.
The main building on the Street of the Knights, a castle within a castle with imposing towers and thick walls. The existing building is a reconstruction of the 30s of the XX century, the original building was destroyed as a result of the explosion of a gunpowder warehouse a century earlier. However, the reconstructed castle was built with meticulous precision and fully reproduces the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
Inside the castle there is a museum dedicated in part to the archaeological finds of Fr. Rhodes, partly - to the reproduction of the interiors of the knight's castles of the late Middle Ages.
Also interesting are old books, icons, weapons, huge mosaics laid out right on the floor and extraordinary onyx windows, in which plates of a light yellow onyx mineral are inserted instead of glass, due to which the light penetrating into the palace of the great masters is saturated and warm, like the sun. even on cloudy days.
- Address: Ippoton, Rodos 851 00.
- Entry fee: 8 euros, children under 18 free of charge.
- Opening hours: Monday - 12:30 - 19:00.
- Tuesday-Sunday - 08:30 - 19:30
The building that ends the street of the knights is a medieval hospital built in the 14th century to help crusaders and pilgrims who suffered in battles in the Holy Land. It is a two-story building with a patio surrounded by two-level arcades.
Today it is one of the most interesting museums in Rhodes. Numerous finds from all over the island are presented, including the statue of Aphrodite of the Sea, found right in the sea and dating from the 4th century BC. BC e., a very beautiful statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes, 3 centuries younger, the marble head of the sun god Helios, collections of ancient coins and jewelry, ancient Christian manuscripts.
- Address: 2 Symis, 851 00 Rhodes
- Opening hours: May - October - from Tuesday to Saturday 8.00 - 19.00; Sunday - 8.30 - 15.00.
- Monday is a day off.
- November - April: Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30 to 15.00.
- Ticket price: 6 euros, under 18s - free.
The Rhodes fortress, its walls and towers, is the main part of the Old City, but it is much, much older: the city was founded in 408 BC. ancient Greeks, was under the rule of the Romans, Byzantines, knights of the Order of St. John, the Ottoman Empire.
From each of these periods, the city has preserved its own evidence and historical monuments: fragments of the ancient temple of Aphrodite, the remains of a Roman shipyard, the Church of St.
The most interesting thing is that ordinary people live within the Old Town, just like thousands of years ago, their small houses with wooden shutters, flowers and cats are everywhere, for us - an ethnographic museum, and for them - a home and everyday life among the tourist bustle .
Local residents are very sociable and friendly people, meeting acquaintances, they will certainly stop to chat, even if they are separated by a roadway.
You can safely walk around the Old Town on your own for at least a whole day without fear of getting lost - sooner or later you will come out to the city wall and to one of the 11 exits that are always open. In addition, the Old Town is always crowded and it is easy to meet Russian or at least English-speaking people among the cafe staff or tourists who will show you the way.
The main shopping street of the Old, and, perhaps, the whole city. It stretches within the walls of the fortress parallel to the Street of the Knights a quarter from it. In numerous small shops and stalls, almost everything is sold: from ice cream and magnets to huge antique statues and vases, bright fabrics, spices, coffee, olive oil, honey, jewelry, paintings, etc.
On Socrates Street, souvenirs are somewhat cheaper than outside the Old Town.
In addition to shopping pavilions, Socrates Street has many attractions. To begin with, the street originates from the beautiful old Suleiman Mosque with a tall, slender minaret, and ends at Hippocrates Square, where the unusual Castellania fountain with an owl on top and another ancient mosque and the Castellan Palace are located.
The most famous of the 14 mosques of the island, built in 1522 during the reign of Sultan Suleiman, who commanded the Turkish troops during the conquest of the island. The building of the mosque is small, plastered in a pleasant light pink color. The mosque is crowned with 4 semicircular domes, several smaller domes and a high 35-meter minaret with two balconies.
Despite the fact that the minaret is a new building erected on the site of a dilapidated old one, it fits very harmoniously into the architectural ensemble of the mosque.
On the territory of the mosque there is a small garden with tall cypresses and a pretty fountain, the entrance inside may be closed due to renovations, but still this oldest monument of Ottoman culture in Rhodes is worth a look. The best view of the mosque, by the way, opens from the Clock Tower of the Rhodes Fortress - the highest point of the Old Town.
Address: Rhodes, st. Ορφέως [orfeeos] and st. Ιπποδάμου [hypozamu].
The fare on buses is 1.8 - 8 euros, depending on the duration of the route. Timetables on the websites: sindikatodesroda.gr and www.ktelrodou.gr.
A city in the north-eastern part of the island on Cape Krana, 50 km from Rhodes, not far from the famous bay of St. Paul in the shape of a heart. The town is tiny, it has only 700 inhabitants, almost entirely built up with one and two-story bright white houses.
Modern development of this UNESCO cultural monument is prohibited. Also, motor transport is prohibited in the city itself, but this does not matter, because it is easy to get around on foot in a couple of hours. An alternative to a car is donkeys.
Lindos is home to the second largest Acropolis in Greece, after the Acropolis of Athens. A rather steep climb leads to the foot of the Acropolis, which can be overcome on foot, or on a donkey, hiring it from local residents who work part-time here.
From the top there is a very beautiful view of St. Paul's Bay. Photographs are taken from here, in which the bay has a romantic heart shape.
Interestingly, the monument of ancient Greek architecture is surrounded by medieval fortifications with battlements.
The complex of the ancient Acropolis of Lindos (IV - III century BC) consists of the Propylaea (gates) of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, the Portico of Doria, the remains of the Roman temple of Emperor Diocletian.
- The Acropolis is open to visitors almost all year round - except for two winter months - January and February.
- Opening hours: 8.00 - 19.40 (out of season - until 14.40).
Attention! There is practically no shade on the territory of the Acropolis, so it is better to inspect it in the early morning or evening hours. But the streets of the city itself are shady and cool.
The cost of the entrance ticket to the territory: 12 euros.
You can get to Lindos by bus, which departs from the bus station every hour from 6.00 to 20.00. You can also sit at bus stops in the city, if they have a stand with a timetable, where the direction is indicated: “Lindos”. The fare is 5 euros, buy a ticket from the driver.
A popular resort 15 km from the city of Rhodes is the center of youth parties, nightclubs, discos and outdoor activities. It is also famous for its beaches with clear clear water and sandy coastal strip. And this, despite the fact that the beaches are crowded during the season, and there are more than ever a lot of catamarans, jet skis, “bananas”, canoes and other watercraft for the entertainment of vacationers on the water.
Attention! From Faliraki to Lindos, you can take a boat trip on a small bright red boat.
You can get to Faliraki from Rhodes by buses departing from the bus station in Rimini Square.
One of the best and most extreme water parks in Greece. “Kamikaze”, “Free Fall”, “Black Hole”, “Crazy Cone” are some of the attractions for the most fearless.
Fans of more relaxed entertainment can try to storm the “wet bubble” or swim in the “slow river”.
For visitors under 12 years old - children's areas with a pirate ship, water jungle, children's slides and an amusement park.
- Address: Faliraki, 85100, Rhodes, Greece.
- You can get from Rhodes by bus.
- Ticket price: 24 euros for adults, 16 euros for children.
- Opening hours: from May to October - 9.30-19.00
- Website in Russian: https://www.water-park.gr/ru/
The highest point on the northwest coast of. Rhodes. Located 15 km from the capital of the island, the nearest settlement is the town of Ialyssos. Although the mountain is not the highest on the island, it offers a very beautiful view of the surroundings.
The name of the mountain comes from the name of the monk Filerim, who, according to legend, climbed the mountain with the icon of the Mother of God made by St. Luke himself, and founded the monastery. To this day, the temple of the Filerim Mother of God functions on the mountain, interesting in that it is divided into two parts: catholic and orthodox.
The icon brought by the monk is now kept in the Art Museum of the city of Cetinje in Montenegro, and in the Filerimos temple there is only a copy of it. The temple is surrounded by a small cozy park where tame peacocks walk.
Another attraction of Filerimos is the “path to Golgotha” – a cypress alley that rises to the top, equal in length to the path that Christ traveled to Golgotha. At the end of the path - an impressive 16-meter cross and an observation deck.
During the season you can get to Filerimos by bus directly from Rhodes, in the off-season you can only get to Ialyssos, and from there - on foot or by taxi.
A small resort town, just 8 km from Rhodes, is an ideal place for sailing and surfing, thanks to the northwest wind and the direction of the waves.
For the last 20-30 years, Ialyssos has often hosted national and international wind and kite surfing competitions. This is a great place for beginner athletes to practice.
For swimming, the beaches in Ialyssos are not the most convenient - the sea is always worried, and the bottom is rocky.
Excursions will diversify your leisure time - Mount Filerimos is not far away, and the capital of the island with its knightly castles is also within easy reach.
Getting to Ialyssos is easy by bus from the airport or from Rhodes, you can take a taxi, because of the short distance it will be inexpensive.
The settlement of Archangelos, located 30 km south of Rhodes, is a quiet and peaceful place for a family vacation. Sandy beaches, shallow sea, vineyards, olive groves, citrus orchards invite you to walk around the area.
Among the attractions are the snow-white church of the Archangel Michael with a high lace bell tower and the ruins of the ancient castle of St. John.
Another relaxing place for the whole family. This is a small, but rapidly gaining popularity among tourists settlement, located 20 km from Rhodes on the east coast of the island. The main street of the village is a three-kilometer eucalyptus alley descending to the sea. Huge trees create a special microclimate, thanks to the essential oils released by the leaves heated in the sun.
Nearby - just 6 km away is the Tsambika Monastery with a church in honor of the Holy Virgin Mary, a visit to which, according to beliefs, helps women recover from infertility and give birth to a child.
Even in Kolymbia, according to tourists, the best taverns of national Greek cuisine on the island.
The colorful lively village adjacent to the bustling Faliraki is famous for its bright multi-colored houses, the main color of the walls of which is bright blue, the doors and shutters can be red, the porch can be green, etc. In addition, souvenirs are often hung right on the walls of the houses handmade - ceramics, embroidery, fabrics, rugs, which can be purchased right there.
In Kallithea there is an ancient thermal bath with mineral water, which has recently been restored and welcomes visitors.
This natural attraction is located in a gorge that stretches upstream a picturesque stream near the town of Petaludes in the northwestern part of the island. You can get there on the blue and white R.O.D.A. from the central bus station for 5 euros.
Butterfly Valley is a place where thousands of them are collected, but they are all of the same species and do not fly, but sit on trees, sometimes covering the trunks with a continuous carpet. These are butterflies of the four-pointed bear (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis), which have an underdeveloped proboscis, therefore they do not feed in adulthood, and the forces accumulated when they were caterpillars are only enough for mating and laying eggs.
Butterflies are not the most brightly colored, but still, when a lot of them cover trees or other surfaces with a living carpet - it's a mesmerizing sight!
Attention! It is guaranteed to meet butterflies in the valley from the end of May to the beginning of August. Arriving earlier or later, you most likely will not meet them or there will be very few of them.
- Opening hours: 8.00-17.00
- Ticket price: 5 euros, for children - free of charge.
The kids on the island will love it! The sea, sandy beaches, an abundance of unusual vegetation, real knight's castles, towers, walls, ruins everywhere. 
Tours of the Old City in a playful way can become a real adventure! You can walk along the fortress wall, climb the high tower of the Rhodes fortress - the Sentry. It will always be interesting for children to walk along the Socrates shopping street and choose souvenirs and gifts for their relatives.
A special attraction is the water park in Faliraki - you can spend a whole day or even two on it! Older children can take windsurfing lessons in Ialyssos - when else will this opportunity arise?
Finally, another day can be devoted to visiting the Butterfly Valley and the nearby zoo.
The main inconvenience of the island when traveling with children is quite strong winds, which makes the sea often restless. Although, you can almost always find a cozy cove, especially in the Lindos area.
