Rhodes Island Greece - Travel Tips and Tid Bits

Prior planning is always helpful in making a journeyused either for local or for long distance calls.
more relaxing and enjoyable.They all use phone cards that can easily be found
Dress code in the Greek Islands is very casual,in every kiosk or shops with the "Phone cards
for men shorts and T-shirts is the norm, and forSold Here" sign. You can get them also right in the
ladies, light summer dresses or similar to men. Ifharbor, or in the Airport.
you are coming in Spring or Autumn you shouldBeaches. The big attraction of Rhodes is the
bring some warmer clothes just in case it gets abeautiful beaches that surround the entire island.
bit cold in the night. Even for those who want toEntrance to all the beaches is free, but you will
dress formally, smart casual is the norm, whichhave to pay only if you rent a sun bed (about 6
would be a pair of trousers and a shirt.euro). The beaches on the east coast are ideal
In restaurants. The island of Rhodes can satisfyfor swimming since the sea is extremely calm,
every gourmet because it produces variouswhile on the west coast is generally windy and it
products of excellent qualities and the local cuisineis best offered for windsurfing and other water
is a real delight for the senses. Fresh fishes and asports. This does not in any way means that you
big variety of seafood's, big choice of "mezes"can not swim on the west coast. As a matter of
(Mediterranean snacks), meat on grill, mousakafact, many people prefer the big waves of the
(the famous dish with potatoes, aubergines,west coast than the calm and smooth sea of the
cheese and béchamel) are some of theeast coast...
many Rhodian specialties.Police. All the main resorts areas have branches
The wines of Rhodes are famous for their greatof the Tourist Police, whose duties include the
taste and quality since ancient times because theinspection of hotels, restaurants etc.. And service
wineries and distilleries of the island produceto make sure that services to tourists are of
delicious wines from the island's vineyards whichacceptable standards. Tourist Police officers who
are beneficing from the fertility of the soil and thespeak languages bear the flag of the country in
constant sun. The most famous wine labels ofwhich the language is spoken on their uniforms.
Rhodes are the dry wines "Ilios", "2400", "Villare",Health. Rhodes has plenty of doctors of all
and "Grand Maitre" and the dry red winepractices. The State Hospital is open 24 hours a
"Chevalier de Rhodes".day for emergency cases. There are also plenty
Booking a Taxi There are strict regulationsof pharmacies and chemists.
regarding the number of passengers per taxi. UpBanks and ATM machines. There are many Greek
to 4 passengers are allowed per car so bear thisand International banks that are licensed to do
in mind when making a booking for a taxi. Makebusiness in Rhodes. All of them offer exchange
sure your luggage fits into a regular-sized carservices within the town of Rhodes as well as in
trunk, otherwise you'll have to hire a second taxiother popular resort areas. Banks are open
for any excessive luggage.When requesting a taxiMonday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the
make sure you are at the pick-up point withoutperiod from April to October, some of them are
delay since a taxi will be there within minutes.open in the evenings as well (5 p.m., to 7.30 p.m.)
Internet Cafes. There is one right in the harbor,and on Saturday mornings, but only for the
one in the Old Town, and several others in theexchange purposes. In order to exchange cash or
New Town and the villages of Rhodes Island.traveler's checks, you need to have your
There are also internet cafes open to the publicpassport with you. In addition, almost all hotels
at the most hotels.have exchange offices on their front desks. Visa,
Maps. There are a number of maps of the islandMaster Card and other well known credit cards
on the market and most of them are providedare also accepted by the majority of shops, and
free of charge by Hotels, and Travel Agents.hotels. And you won't need your entire wallet only
Newspapers and magazines. Most westernsome cash, you may prefer to use ATM
European newspapers and magazines arrive inmachines when you need cash. ATMs are
Rhodes on a daily basis and they are availableeverywhere. Cash sometimes gets you a better
everywhere.price than a charge card.
Catholic Church. The Catholic church of SantaShopping. Rhodes is an interesting place to shop.
Maria, located at the corner of Kathopouli andRhodes has at least 2000 years of manufacturing
Dragoumi Streets, holds Mass services from Aprilunique and skilful handicraft gold jewellery. Many
to October at 7 a.m. on weekdays and at 8 a.m.,shops sell classic and modern gold and silver
11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays. The St. Franciscojewellery as well as antique reproduction jewellery,
church located on Dimokratias Street, celebratesin 14k and 18k with diamonds and precious stones.
Mass from April to October at 8.30 a.m. onAntique carpets and hand made silk on silk rugs,
weekdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays. During thefurniture, paintings and porcelain can also be found.
winter months, both churches hold Masses only onRhodes also famous for the leather and fur,
Sundays.bottles, leather coats, fur coats, and mink. Other
A Golf course is available at Afandou (17kinds of goods such as souvenirs, sponges,
kilometers south-east of Rhodes City) and Miniclothes, shoes, books, and more can be found in
Golf courts can be found in all the large hotels andthe many shops of Rhodes Island. And the
in all the touristy resorts.traditional art workshops for the world famous
Casino. As all cosmopolitan places Rhodes has itshand made Rhodian pottery's-ceramics.
own casino. The dress code is strict for men butIn restaurants tipping is customary and on
for the women a dress is enough.average is around 15% above the bill, in some
Signs denoting post offices are usually brightestablishments it is already added but not in all.
yellow, as are post-boxes. If you need to send aHolidays and Feasts. The following is a list of
letter there are stamp vending machines andofficial holidays, during which all departments of
post-boxes outside all central post offices. Therepublic services are closed.
is also a post-box right in the harbor few metersJanuary 1- New Year's Day
from the pier.January 6 - Epiphany.
OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization)First day of Lent (movable) - in Greek is known
offices are the cheapest way to make local oras 'Clean Monday'
international calls. Rhodes is equipped with a veryMarch 7 - anniversary of the reunion of the
advanced telecommunications system. You canDodecanese Islands with the rest of Greece
dial directly anywhere in the world without theMarch 25 - anniversary of the revolution for
involvement of the telephone operator. The bluefreedom against the Turkish invaders.
telephone boxes found all over the island can be