The stunning view from the beachside taverna at St Paul's Bay, Lindos in Rhodes.

From the deserted roads in the middle of the Island which are incredible for cycling, to the wine region in the South, old Rhodes town and the Knights of St John.  Traditional tavernas for locals with no menus, inflatable obstacle courses in the sea, the water park at Falaraki.  The winding roads of the West coast that lead you through the pine forests up hairpin roads and into the mountains.  All flanked by olive groves and ancient vines.  It really is a stunning Island with so much to offer.  But at the same time if you just want to kick back and do nothing but soak up the sun, it is the perfect destination for that as well.  Incredible all inclusive hotels with spas, restaurants, terraces, pools, gyms.  Everything you could want for a week or two in the sun to relax.

We have had 3 quite different holidays, the first time in a fantastic all inclusive hotel with a room that had a terrace balcony to die for, but the hotel was geared for the French tourist trade so didn't have much on for George.  He was 8 at the time, so it had a a bit of an impact on his enjoyment.  The second trip we were only there for a week and decided to self cater in an appartment that was just above Lindos, so we were able to walk down to the town and beaches as we pleased.  We even had our own resident cat for the week who was georgious.  That second trip was when I first discovered road cycling on the Island.  I was not disappointed.  Definitely worth getting up at 6am with the sun and getting out there before it got too hot.  Empty roads, cool breeze at you decended down the mountain roads and views that were out of this world.  Our third trip we stayed at the Holiday Village, half way between Rhodes town and Lindos at Kolymbia.  We chose it so there would be loads for George to do as he was 10 going on 11 and very active.  We had pre booked him in for a few days of the football academy and he loved it, so much so we booked some more.  It gave us a chance to relax and chill as it was a full on time with work and George studying for his 11+.  Every day that holiday he would be up first thing doing lessons and tests.  It was pretty tough, but it was worth it in the long run as it got him into the school he wanted and now loves.

A continental breakfast setting me up for the day after a ride up into the mountains.

On all three occasions we had great food.  There is something about being in a Mediterranean climate, fresh salad, breads, fruits, grilled meats, fish and seafood.  You really don't need to do much with it at all.  It's about respecting the ingredients.  The fact that you are eating it in the open air with incredible views, no stresses of every day life that all contribute to the experience being all the more special and memorable.

Our days would start early and for me sometimes very early.  I would be up to watch the sun rise and head out on the bike.  This for some people sounds crazy and is by no means any form of a holiday, but for me it was exactly that.  We all live such hectic lives and my work takes me the length and breadth of the country.  Then there is the constant running around we do for George with his gymnastics and his skiing, it doesn't leave much time for either of us.  On our second trip I was in the middle of training for my first ever 100 mile sportive about a month after we got home, so wanted to keep my training up.  I organised a bike hire before we left and all I needed was my kit, helmet and pedals and I was all set.  From the first morning that I went out I was hooked on cycling in Rhodes.  The roads were smooth, no one would be on them at that time in the morning, the scenery was incredible and you were at one with your thoughts.  

That first year riding I found some great routes, but the real rides came the following year.  We were located at Kolymbia half way down the east coast giving access right into the middle of the island and to Lindos in the south.  The climbs up into the middle of the island were pretty tough, esspecialy in the heat, even that early in the morning, but the views once you were there and the fast flowing decents were amazing and certainly set me up for a great breakfast.

The advantage of going out early on the bike was that it meant I saw places that we could go to later in the day or week in our hire car. 

The great thing about an all inclusive hotel is there is certainly plenty to choose from when it comes to food.  Breakfasts were great.  I always have eggs when I'm on holiday.  Freshly sliced tomatoes, ham, cheese, smoked fish, bread, some fruit, pancakes, doughnuts, fruit juice, water and lots of coffee.  It's so important to load up in the morning especially after the exersions of a ride.  But even without that, we are always really active and with the heat, we needed to be well fueled and hydrated to get through the day.  Water, water and more water.

Roasted leg of lamb, koftas, cucumber salad, red cabbage slaw, Israeli cous-cous, chickpeas, feta, olives. And of course some cold beer to help wash it down,

The beauty of all inclusive is that there is usually something for everyone on offer in the restaurant, but you can get fooded out from it.  We would usually eat out 2-3 evenings within the 2 weeks and at lunch if we were out and about.

The range of salads always impressed us, we literally dined off salads with some meat or fish. 

Lunch, we would quite often just grab a lighter snack, bowl of pasta, salad or soup.  Having all the options there was ideal.  Most days would have very similar salads, vegetable options, simple pasta dishes, but would also have a theme evening.  It just helped from the fatigue of the same food day on day.

When we ate out we had some real treats though.  Some of the dishes are in the slideshow above.  It would appear that we stuggle to not have calamari any time we were out and cheese balls.  Cheese balls are amazing if you've never had them before then you have to try them when you are in Greece or at a Greek restaurant in the UK.  Golden crispy on the outside and rich, cheesy, salty sotf melting centers.  I posted a picture of said cheese balls on Facebook and an Australian Greek chef friend of mine, Spyro, whose Greek herritage is from Rhodes reccomended a restaurant that all the locals used.  He said their cheese balls are the best on the Island.  So we went to seek it out.  It was a fantastic restaurant, used mainly by locals and they even had their own chapel for weddings.  It had such a loveley feel about it even if we were one of the few tables in that evening and it was a big restaurant.  We were dining early though.

There wasn't a menu to speak of, they gave us a couple of options for the meat main and we went for their own reared pork and vegetable souvlaki.  Deep pork flavoured, almost sticky with the juices, with lightly caramelised onions and green peppers.  Perfectly cooked over the open fires of charcoal and gnarled olive wood.  All helping to impart a delicate sweet smokiness to the dish.  Just sublime.  Along with this came the infamous cheese balls, the most incredible chips, homemade sourdough, aubergine bake, which was incredible, houmous, tzatziki, vegetable fritters and a Greek Salad.  It was all incredible, so much food for the three of us and those cheese balls, oh my god, they were amazing.  I think they certainly lived up to their billing.  Thank you Spyro.  To make the evening even more special our waitress was incredible.  She was superb with George, joking and having fun with him and making him help serve our meal.  It was just the best family friendly, authentic, tasty and incredible meal.  George even got to take home his own special Terracotta drinks beaker on a promise that he could keep it only if he returned the following year.

The view of the Acropolis at Lindos as the sun is starting to set.

There are so many Greek islands and places to go on the mainland, but Rhodes keeps drawing us and so many people that we have met out there year after year.  The question is, why?

What makes it so special?  Hopefully from what I've written already has whet your appetite to visit there yourself.  There is something special about the place and the people.  Even year on year they would remember you and welcome you in.  Whether it was in the morning on the way to our favourite beach getting freshley squeesed lemon and orange juice, iced coffees that were out of this world and so refreshing.  In the evening as we were out and about and the bar staff would welcome us back.  It all makes it feel homely and welcoming, you can be cynical and say that they are doing it to get you to come in and spend your money and that may be correct, but it really doesn't feel that way.  It's an Island that you can feel comfortable in and if you want to, it can be very private as well.  You wouldn't get super stars like Madonna going there and hiring out a villa for a few days for a special birthday if it didn't have that feeling of privacy, security and exclusivicy.

The beaches are clean, the sunbeds are reasonably priced on them and are always looked after.  Restaurants are plentiful and are all of a good standard, of course they vary in price depending on whether you are right on the beach, have the best rooftop view etc etc.  The standard of the accomodation is also very high.  On the three accasions we have been the two hotels and one self catering appartment have all been of the highest standard.

If I'm honest I wouldn't be surprised if we end up going back again some time, but for the moment, like all of us.  I'll just have to reminice and remember all the fantastic times we have had on the island. 

I really do wish that "All roads lead to Rhodes!"