Travelling with a Diplomat: Holiday Weekend in the island of Rhodos

We went to Rhodos, part of the Dodacenese group of islands to spend the weekend of March 15-18. We have heard so many good things about the island so instead of going out of Greece, we decided to go there. It was a pleasant 50- minute flight from Athens via Cyprus Air. The service beginning from the airport counter to the flight staff was great. And the pilots landed our plane safely, thank God!

We checked in at Best Western Plaza Hotel, about 20 mins taxi ride from the Rhodos airport. The information/ registration counter were also very accommodating and efficient. We were able to check in to our room without any hassle.

The hotel is located stragetically, walking distance to the Aquarium, touristic harbor and Elli beatch, to name a few. After a few minutes rest, we immediately walked around and in about 5 minutes we reached Elli beach. As we strolled along the pedestrian walk, we reached the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, or popularly known as the Aquarium. The Aquarium hosts various kinds and types of the marine wealth of the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean sea. It is also doing oceanographic research in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. It is also involved in information dissemination and conservation of its marine environment.

The Aquarium in a building of unique architectural
style.

Beautiful interior design fashioned in the form of an
underwater sea cave.

The Aquarium is also a museum which contains an awesome collection of the marine wealth of the Aegean sea.

As we walk along the shore of the Elli beach, we pass by the Yatching Club of Rhodes Kountouriti Square and then we reach the Mandraki Sea and the Neorion Square.

Beautiful view of the blue sea...

Tower and lighthouse of St. Nicholas

The next day, we toured the Palace of the Grand Master located in the Old Town. Built at the highest point of the medieval city its fortifications played an active role in the defense of the city.It is roughly a square building designed around a courtyard which was built a the end of the 7th c. to act as the citadel of the Early Byzntine fortress.

Palace coutryard

The main entrance in the south facade, flanked by two
imposing towers.

Underground rooms, official rooms, and others found
in the Palace.

We rented a car the following day to go farther than the Old Town. We visited the Terme di Kallithea famous for its therapeutic waters. The monument was built by the Italians in 1929. It was reconstructed by the City of Kallithea after years of neglect and abandonment. It is now open to the public more as a swimming and entertainment venue.