With passport again within the nick of time (every week earlier than the June faculty vacation!) the mission for this household was to discover a last-minute sizzling vacation, with a pool, and on the coast that wouldn’t break the financial institution. That is the way it was performed.
Cesar Meze Rooftop Bar, Lindos © Kerry McCarthy
Why select Rhodes? Why select Lindos?
The selection was easy – get on the Jet2 app, then type by most cost-effective first! We additionally filtered for a couple of nations with quick flight occasions, and motels near the seaside and with a pool. An Ibiza location was the highest end result, but it surely was so near the social gathering zone that it wasn’t an possibility for us – we had been actually on the lookout for one thing household pleasant and peaceable.
The following end result was a spot known as Palm Bay Lodge in Pefkos, Rhodes, simply a few miles from Lindos. We heard that Lindos was stunning so determined this could be shut sufficient to benefit from the delights of the historic Greek city.
Journey Package deal
- Tour Operator: Jet2
- Flew from: Stanstead Airport
- Journey time: 4 hours
- Package deal: Flights, Transfers, Lodge, Mattress & Breakfast
- Lodge: Palm Bay Lodge
- Journey Date: June half time period 2023
- Climate: Principally sunny, 26 levels
Pefki Seashore, Pefkos, Rhodes © Kerry McCarthy
Location Location Location – however not in Lindos!
Lindos is certainly extremely stunning, however sadly wasn’t inside our funds so we received as shut as we might get in a single handy bundle vacation. It wasn’t till we arrived that we realised that we had been really on the very fringe of a resort known as Pefkos – a really totally different vibe from Lindos certainly! Whereas very stunning, the resort itself was largely eating places and bars catering to a British viewers (a far cry from the standard Greek expertise we had been hoping for) however luck was on our facet and our resort was in an remoted beach-front spot alongside the Lindos-Lardos street, proper on Pefki Seashore.
Authentically Greek Expertise
Palm Bay Lodge was as soon as the one place to remain on this a part of Rhodes, and when the household opened their first taverna (nearer to what’s now the resort) Pefkos and Pefki seaside had been solely accessible by donkey. The truth is, the popularity for it being a distant hideaway made it a secluded location of alternative for celebrities the world over.
At present, the street between Lindos and Lardos is constructed for 4 wheels over 4 legs, however Palm Bay Lodge stays a Greek household resort with all of the welcoming hospitality you’d count on, conventional Greek meals and conventional Greek leisure – blended in with some night enjoyable for a British household crowd!
We opted for a sea-view house which had beautiful balcony views of the Mediterranean, and the mountains that wrap round this stretch of the coast. The pool, restaurant and seaside bar had been on the alternative facet of the street proper on the sandy shore. Closing the door to the house to toes within the sea took not more than 3 minutes.
Lindos City © Kerry McCarthy
Luscious Lindos & The Acropolis
We travelled by bus to spend time in Lindos. Its white partitions, slender streets, and jaw-dropping vistas completely lived as much as our excessive expectations. The bus cease is on the high of a hill, so earlier than you get into the city you might be greeted with probably the most great views throughout the bay, and the acropolis sitting excessive on the subsequent hill.
As we dropped down into the city we made our manner via the winding streets, lined with white partitions and pebble paths, snaking in all instructions. It’s clear that Lindos may be very a lot geared in direction of vacationers as barely a wall glided by that wasn’t adorned with mati (evil eyes), crochet items, linen garments, jewelry, and leatherwork. It was nonetheless nonetheless a very serene expertise, even within the faculty vacation!
Lindos Acropolis Picture by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay CC0
The stroll to the Acropolis is sizzling onerous work for small children, however price it for the journey. As soon as up excessive on the hill, the age of this monument hits you onerous. Steep worn steps, historical engravings, toppled columns, and crumbling parapets merge with fashionable repairs. Olive bushes and cavernous darkish rooms supply some respite from the solar. The views kind the highest – of the ocean in a single course and the city within the different are an enormous reward, however in the event you don’t have a head for heights, positively stay away from the parapets as it’s a lengthy, steep, and rocky drop from each a part of the acropolis partitions!
After embracing the Indiana Jones vibe, the one solution to go is again right down to the city – donkeys are ready patiently for many who don’t fancy the steep descent on foot.
For mild refreshments and to chill down we visited one of many many rooftop bars – this one particularly, Cesar Meze Bar had a swimming pool – the right place to chill down and soak up extra of these beautiful views!
Lindos Museum © Kerry McCarthy
St. Paul’s Bay Seashore, Lindos
Earlier than heading again to Pefki seaside we visited St. Pauls Bay – a hidden gem of surprise on this city. It is extremely small, however sits in a splendidly secluded bay, and has loads of luxurious beach-beds amongst lush vegetation to sit back out to the max, in addition to a seaside bar. It isn’t perhaps the precise place to move for a household day trip, or if you’re on a funds, however positively one to financial institution if coming again on an adults-only break.
High money-saving ideas
- Bulk purchase huge water bottles – €2 for five litres
- Order all-day-breakfast or continental breakfast (large croissant with greek yoghurt, honey & nuts)
- Make your personal lunch with native substances
- Catch a bus to tour the island – Household ticket to Lindos was lower than €5
- Eat at a neighborhood taverna over a restaurant €8 for calamari vs €15
- Order starters over mains or share a dish – parts listed below are BIG!
- Drink village or “bulk” wine – €2 a (very) massive glass or €8 a litre
- Get journey insurance coverage! Even with a GHIC medical care might nonetheless be pricey, plus the peace of thoughts it presents within the occasion of one thing going improper on vacation is price each penny.
Lindos Seashore © Kerry McCarthy
Pefki Seashore, Pefkos
Despite the fact that it’s on the sting of a resort, Pefki seaside looks like a little bit of a hidden gem. It was quiet, had a small variety of loungers with parasols to rent – €12 for two for the day, a seaside bar for food and drinks (very moderately priced), and the views of the encircling mountains – and the resident mountain goats was simply stunning, particularly because the solar moved through the day. The rockpools had been nice for exploring because the tide modified, and having the family-friendly pool out there only a minute’s stroll away was an added bonus.
Finest bits staying on the street between Lindos and Lardos
The seaside was quiet and the ocean was calm. We weren’t within the resort correct so felt like a extra distant location with clearer views. There have been two native outlets close by to get snacks, drinks, and substances to make our personal meals within the house. The resort workers had been tremendous pleasant and the entire place felt extremely welcoming. Transport is straightforward, low-cost and frequent – reference was made to the primary bus arriving at 8.50 GMT – Greek Perhaps Time – which received a couple of laughs! Even when they aren’t on time, they do come each 20 minutes or so.
The Pefkos resort particularly has a neighborhood vibe, the place the native companies be careful and deal with one another, and take care of the place extremely properly.
General we felt protected and welcome – an excellent place for a budget-friendly household break!
© Kerry McCarthy
Journey Author Bio
Kerry McCarthy is a Author, Editor, Artist & Breathwork Teacher who likes to journey. You could find out extra about her adventures over on instagram at @kerrymccarthystars
Diagoras Worldwide Airport Rhodes © Kerry McCarthy
