Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese at 1,412sq km and it lies at the southern end of the chain that runs north - south down the Turkish coast. It lies about 18km off the Turkish holiday resort of Marmaris and Rhodes island is roughly 'spear' shaped, about 90km long and 40km wide and with a coastline of about 220km. Rhodes has long been a very popular holiday destination.
Rhodes combines historical interest with some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. It was long occupied by the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades and was rebuilt as a model European medieval city. Many of its famous monuments, including the Palace of the Grand Master, were built in this period.
The best beaches are found on the north and east coasts. The north coast, near the airport has most of the luxury hotels and conference centres, while the north-east is noted for holiday hotels and apartments. There are a scattering of beaches south of Lindos and the west coast is more rugged with some remote beach coves but no public transport. The interior is mountainous, sparsely inhabited and covered with forests of pine and cypress.
To the north of Rhodes island are the smaller Dodecanese islands of Symi, Tilos and Halki and to the east lies the island of Karpathos.
MONOLITHOS castle is a favourite on the tourist route, an impregnable fortress on the southwest coast near Apolakkia Bay and perched on top of a 300ft high precipitous rock overlooking the sea.
It was built around 1480 by the Knights of St John and it is certainly an impressive sight, but you must leave your car at the bottom and take a steep 15 minute hike up a narrow pathway to get to it. This is not a climb for those with walking difficulties
Within the castle walls stands the church of Agios Panteleimon. The village of Monolithos is 3km from the rock and is a small, relaxing and peaceful place with a few hotels and a clutch of tavernas.
The road from Monolithos village leads on to FOURNI, the beach of Monolithos, ideal for those who like pebbles with a little sand, gentle waves and a peaceful setting.
Unnerving rock formations add interest to the beach. One huge rock looks as though it might topple over onto the tourist sunbeds below at any minute. A beach cantina opens in the summer.
Nearby are some 17th century Christian caves that have been carved into the rock at Fourni beach, but expect to get lost trying to find them and beware the badly worn steps down to the cave entrances.
EMBONAS or EMPONAS boasts the Emery grape which produces much of Rhodes' best wine (not saying all that much) and there are complimentary tastings for visitors. The red is better than the white which has been described as relatively lifeless.
Endless coach parties snake up the hills between 10am and 2pm and the village of Embonas is riddled with tavernas and tourist shops as not only do visitors come to see the vines but the village is also a favourite for tour operator's Greek evenings.
The landscape in this area of Rhodes is very attractive with vineyards climbing the steep foothills to the mountains above.
During July and August tourists outnumber the insects in Butterfly Valley near PETALOUDES which lies about 5km inland from Tholos. The butterflies are actually Jersey tiger moths, Euplagia quadripunctaria, but let's face it, how many tourists would want to visit Moth Valley?
The moths are a well camouflaged and difficult to see, except in flight when they show their deep red overwings. The result has been thousand of tourists clapping their hands and even blowing whistles to drive the sleepy insects into the air.
Unfortunately, the moths have come here to rest before mating and the consequence of all this disturbance has seen a worrying decline in the numbers returning each year. Not before time, tourists are being asked to keep the noise down. The moths arrive in their thousands in June, mate in late August and fly off in September.
The 60-minute walk through the valley is pleasant enough, with plenty of shade from the trees and a well marked path through the woods past small pools and over wooden bridges that cross the River Pelekanas. Visitors should wear decent walking shoes as the going can be rough at times.
More a lowlight than a highlight, EPTA PIGES or SEVEN SPRINGS is touted as a pleasant picnic spot with a stream and a waterfall. Tourists usually walk to it as the coaches can't get very near, but few are likely to return for a second look. The springs are no more than muddy wet patches of woodland that tend to give off the very damp, musty smell of decayed vegetation.
There is an unlit tunnel carrying the spring water to a reservoir that you can walk through. It is about 150 metres long, the water is ankle deep and the only light is from a shaft half way along. The reward for the walk is a small lake at the other end and you have to wonder why this place is promoted so strongly by tour firms.
A succession of cloudless days are virtually guaranteed from mid-June to September. The west and north coasts are tempered by the meltemi wind.
Spring arrives early, although March can be wet and April unpredictable. Rhodes is awash with spring flowers until summer arrives in May and the sun shines in an ever-blue sky until September. Temperatures soar regularly to 30°C especially in the east and much higher in sheltered spots like Lindos.
October can be troubled by fierce storms which often evaporate as soon as they arrive. Otherwise October can be pleasantly warm with the sea at its warmest. December to March bring cold and rain with the odd warm interlude. December and January are wettest but frost and snow are rare this far south.
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | Averages |
| 14 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 19 | 15 | Day °C |
| 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 9 | Night °C |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | Sun(hrs) |
| 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | UV Index |
| 167 | 129 | 82 | 30 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 68 | 99 | 168 | Rain (mm) |
| 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 12 | Rainy days |
