I went to Rhodes on a last minute deal last year, and I must admit I had a fabulous time. This could have had more to do with my friends than the location itself. I cannot stress enough, though, that Rhodes has many different resorts and they are all of a very different nature! I was staying in Rhodes Town with a couple of friends as we had specifically asked to be as far away from Faliraki as possible! We had seen the programmes on tv and had decided already that this wasn't our cup of tea!
Rhodes town was beautiful - really picturesque - the old town was great to just wander around and see the sights, and get thoroughly lost in! The beach at Rhodes town, however is very pebbly and uncomfortable and extremely windy! We found plenty of other sandier, more sheltered beaches on the island though so this was not a problem. As we were traveling on a tight budget the hotel we stayed in was rather limited - three beds in a very small room led to a distinct lack of space! - and no pool. However as in most places in Greece we found other hotels which were happy to let us use their pool for the price of the rent of a sun lounger for the day (just a couple of quid). The nightlife in Rhodes Town was really just what I was looking for - lots of cheap bars down Bar Street, a couple of nightclubs (I must recommend Colarado's - three floors of different music and a house band that really impressed me!), and small enough to get to know the staff and regulars.
Our holiday rep persuaded us that we should go to Faliraki at least once, so we grudgingly signed up for a Bar Crawl (big mistake by the way - we would have been much better off on our own!). We found Faliraki to be overpriced and dirty (annoying combination of looking cheap but costing an lot), and call me a party pooper if I don't go on holiday to bump into people I'd cross the street at home to avoid. Correction - people that I HAVE crossed the street at home to avoid! Yep - its Blackpool with less clothes on! I feel I might have been a little harsh on Faliraki - it has got a beautiful sandy beach, but it is unfortunately marred by the presence of the previous night's detritus (use your imagination). The last thing you want to see first thing in the morning I can tell you.
Having not learnt our lesson we then went on another excursion organised by our rep - a trip to Lindos. Lindos is a very pretty village and the ruins are really interesting. I would definitely recommend a visit - but I would also say that the transport in Rhodes is cheap and reasonable efficient - you don't need to pay through the nose to go on trips that are so easy to organise yourself! One day in lindos wasn't enough. The taxis are cheap too but you are taking your life into your own hands - the taxi drivers in Rhodes are, as they are in the rest of Greece, a law unto themselves. I'd also recommend the Waterpark - not usually my cup of tea but I had a fab time! (NB the buses to the waterpark are free - don't pay your rep to get you there!)
I'll be completely honest with you - I wouldn't go back - but I would recommend the island to other young people wanting a cheap and cheerful holiday. All I can say is stay in Faliraki at your peril - I can't think of anything worse than waking up feeling delicate after a big night out to the sound of the Vengaboys and the unmistakable smell of vomit and kebabs. Nice.
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My partner went to Falaraki last year and hated it - fortunately it didn't put him off Greece for good - we get married in Crete September!!!!!
AlexD 18.07.2003 23:40
Very detailed and useful op, thanks. We went to Rhodes and weren't impressed with our resort (Ixia/Trianda) but loved Rhodes town and so are hoping to go back to the island. I now know where else to avoid and like the sound of Lindos from your description.
stencil 11.07.2003 22:35
a warm welcome to ciao and thanks for the info! regards, stencil
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Jul 11th, 2003
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