OK! TRAVEL RHODES
EXPECT HISTORY, VIEWS AND SUMPTUOUS FOOD ON THIS UNDERRATED GREEK ISLAND THAT’S PERFECT FOR A FUN-FILLED FAMILY GETAWAY
WHY GO NOW?
Mykonos and Santorini may garner more headlines as the Greek islands to be seen on over the summer, but Rhodes is a real hidden gem. The year-round destination offers all the same ingredients, with sun-kissed beaches and rustic tavernas, but it stands out in terms of its wealth of archaeology, historical treasures and natural beauty, such as Butterfly Valley, home to thousands of butterflies of different species. Rhodes is fast becoming a popular family destination with childfriendly resorts, such as Levante Beach, and its top-class Mark Warnerrun sporting facilities, as OK!’S Yasmine Griffiths discovers…
WHERE CAN I DINE?
Stroll into Kolymbia, a charming low-key resort where the eucalyptus-lined main street has plenty of shops selling leather bags (OK! bought a beautiful handmade leather tote bag), jewellery, floaty kaftans and tie-dye dresses. After browsing the shops, OK! dined at Taverna Michel, where we ordered the grilled halloumi followed by chicken souvlaki.
WHAT ARE THE MUST-DO SIGHTS
The main attraction in Rhodes Town is the magnificent Unesco-listed Old Town – one of the best preserved inhabited medieval walled towns in Europe. Kids will love exploring the Grand Master’s Palace; walk along the top of the city walls and get lost in the maze of hundreds of little cobbled alleyways. If you don’t want to get lost, take a guided walking tour – and be sure to avoid the midday sun!
Climb the 200 steps up to the impressive ancient Acropolis of Lindos that sits atop a rocky hill and commands panoramic views down over the town’s pretty white-cubed houses that tumble down the hillside to the sandy beach and turquoise sea. Reward yourself afterwards with a seafood risotto at nearby Ambrosia.
WHERE CAN I STAY?
Just half an hour’s drive south of Rhodes Airport, the low-rise Levante Beach Resort is the perfect place for an active holiday.
An outpost of the Mark Warner holiday company, the stylish beachfront hotel boasts top-class sporting facilities and British-run childcare, with six pools (one just for sports and two indoor). Located on Rhodes’ longest beach, families are well catered for with a choice of room sizes (including 100 family suites and ten suites with their own pool) that come with either terraces or balconies. Make sure you dine at the hotel’s Amalthia restaurant, where OK! enjoyed a lovely al fresco dinner of langoustines, moussaka and baklava.
WHAT ARE THE MUST-DO SPORTS?
OK! loves to be active on holiday, and Mark Warner offers a whole spectrum of activities for adults and kids at the hotel. You can try out a new sport such as windsurfing or paddle boarding at its free clinics, or sign up for one of its week-long tennis programmes, Rya-run sailing or PADI diving courses. OK! enjoyed a guided kayak safari around the coastline, a sunrise yoga class and a sunset Zumba-inspired dance class held at a beachside cabana. Doing exercise with views of the twinkling sea is so much more enjoyable! For sporty types, there are guided mountain bike rides, while the water polo matches between staff and guests get very competitive! For those who want to have fun in the water, OK! loved being pulled through the waves by a speedboat on an inflatable ‘crazy sofa’!