Our vacation on the island of Rhodes continues. Here is good weather, beautiful nature and no worries. The last days were occupied by leisure, “lying on the beach” and near the pool, walking in the surrounding area. We also again took a trip in the Rhodes city and in Lindos.
A few useful words by Greek: “kalimera” -good morning, “efharisto” – thanks, “parakalo” – please, “yaasas” -goodbye.
We rented a car for one day. There are many companies offering rental cars (quads, scooters, bicycles) in Faliraki. Rental car office at the hotel was closed (siesta, many shops are closed during the day from about 2 to 17). The most inexpensive rental cars were already occupied in the company, which collaborates with our tour operator. We rented a car at the office located next to the road to the beach (“Epsilon” rental cars). Toyota Aygo cost here 25 euros per day. The car must be returned with the same amount of gasoline you have received with the car.
In the office of the firm (as well as in a hotel) we were advised not to travel to the city of Rhodes by the car. The narrow streets, dense traffic, problems with parking can ruin the impression of the trip. It is easier to go to Rhodes Town by bus. But as it turned out, after the streets of St. Petersburg's, traffic in the Rhodes seems quite normal. Free parking is also found fairly quickly in the northern part of town, near the beach, near the confluence of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, next to the Casino.
Parking in the city of Rhodes is really difficult. Car parking is prohibited in places marked with yellow color line. Parking is for fee if there is a blue marking line. Nearby is the parking machine. Ticket need put under the windshield so it (ticket) able to see the police. Parking areas marked by a white line marking permitted for local residents. Vehicles leased in the Greek firms can stay in such places.
A small air-conditioned Toyota acted well. We walked around the city, did a trip to Lindos, ride through the neighborhood. The car was returned the next morning.
Weather in Rhodes
To get weather forecasts you can use different web sites. For example, foreca.com gives a fairly accurate weather forecast for Russia, Finland and some other Europe countries. If you look at the weather forecast for the island of Rhodes in May, you'll see a lot of rainy days. This is not true. Rainfall during our vacations were really, but it's short, light rain, which take place within a few minutes. The clouds actually were quite often there, but they do not interfere with our relaxing, sunbathing and swimming. Wind is almost always blowing. But on the Mediterranean coast it is not strong. More stable and strong winds blow in the Aegean Sea coast (in the western part of the island of Rhodes). There like to spend time windsurfing lovers. The air temperature is quite comfortable. Day in mid-May is warm and not too hot. It can be a bit cool in the evening. The sea temperature is suitable for swimming (I can not give a temperature in the figures).
Faliraki
Faliraki resort village is located on the Mediterranean coast, at a distance about 15 kilometers from Rhodes town. Perhaps this is the best resort on the island of Rhodes. There are a large number of hotels, cafes, restaurants, shops and beautiful beaches.
The central beach of Faliraki is the main attraction of this resort town. The length of beach is about 4 kilometers. The beach is sandy; in some places at the entrance to the water are pebbles. The entire beach is free. But the sun beds on the municipal beach of Faliraki are paid. Rent a lounger in May 2012 cost 4 euros per a day. Many vacationers bring their own mats and towels (which are sold in all stores) and lie on them or on the sand. The beach in Faliraki is equipped with dressing cabins, toilets and showers (you can use them for free). There are many cafes, where you can eat or drink on the beach.
To south of the main beach, next to the pier, is a small bay with another beach. Further south in the next bay is a nudist beach (the road along the sea leads there). Further south is a beautiful “Anthony Queen” and “Ladiko” bays with a small beaches, but it can get to by car from the motorway.
Two streets in Faliraki can be considered as central. One is parallel to the central beach. It lay between the coast and the motorway. To the north of this street is motor road that leads to the city of Rhodes. Second street is perpendicular to the first and goes from located near the beach McDonald's to the motorway. On these streets are located most of the shops, restaurants and bars. Many companies offer rental cars and scooters. (In May 2012 the price of cars started from 25 Euro, 15 Euro scooters, bikes 8 Euro per day.) There are also night clubs and striptease. At the intersection of these streets is located travel agency, offering a variety of travel packages.
Near the motorway Rhodes - Lindos also are many shops and restaurants. In the northern part of the highway is a food supermarket, in the southern part of Faliraki, near the highway, there is shop selling equipment for fishing and spear fishing.
Walking on the southern outskirts of Faliraki, at the foot of a hill and its slopes, we met a few peacocks. The birds were walking in different places in the grass and between the bushes, came out on the road. Cries of peacocks could be heard from afar.
My holiday in Rhodes - to the beginning of the story.