Hi there Lynne

I have been going to Rhodes for past 4 years, its lovley, if its your first time to Greece be advised about the plumbing situation, lol, but I'm sure you'll have already heard about it! You cannot flush toitet paper down the loo, you have to put it in the bins, its not as bad as it sounds and you soon get used to it. Its just the way it is, it really isn't a problem. If you do flush it down after a while it will all come back up into your bathroom, the pipes are very narrow and just can't handle it. My advice, take some scented nappy sacks to put loo paper in first before throwing in bin, its more hygenic and more pleasent for the maids that have to empty them!!

Buses run from Rhodes town to Lindos, don't take the trip offered by the rep, its just a few euros by bus and they run regularly, Lindos is so beautiful, full of history and charm, very different from almost anywhere else in Greece.( I have a map of Lindos if you need it ) sadly can't put my email address on here yet, You will find the people very friendly, the food excellent and the scenery breathtaking, I would never go back to Spain after visiting the Greek Islands, and Rhodes is on the whole very safe for travelling around. There are trips you can take, but compare prices at Tourist Offices, they are usually cheaper than the reps and just as good if not better.

Hope this has been of help, if you ned more info just ask

Barbara ( babsg 3 @ ntl world. com ) (join all this together for my map)

Hi Llindy
"Valley of the Butterflies" (Petaloudes) is lovely - depends on the time of year what you will see in terms of the butterflies though (should be lots from June onwards through the summer)
http://www.travel-rhodes.com/place.php?place_id=36

Lindos is definitely worth the visit, although there are lots of other day-trippers there at the same time!
http://www.lindoseye.com/

Rhodes old Town is packed full of history and shopping, it's got the lot - do a bit of research and it'll inform you well.
http://www.greecetravel.com/rhodes/oldtown.htm

You can take a boat trip to Symi easily, and if you've two weeks holiday you've plenty of opportunity. You'll find lots of independent local travel agents doing the trip cheaper than your rep
http://www.symivisitor.com/about_symi.htm

A great island with a fantastic climate and lots to see and do

The plumbing in your hotel is fine, you dont need to use the dustbins for toilet roll. It is more in the older buildings that you have to do this.

Thanks all , you have been a great help with your replies, have had a look at the web sites mentioned and really wish i didn't have to wait until next year . Going to the library this afternoon to see what they have for me to read up on .

Really glad about the plumbing , but we managed in turkey where we had to use the bins provided and i did go prepared with nappy sacks

Thanks again
Lynne .

The Landmark Visitors Guide is a really good book about Rhodes. It's priced at £11.99 but I picked one up in Aldi's for £3. Don't know why I needed it really as I've been going to Rhodes for 27 years! It's a wonderful island, so much to see and do and the people are so friendly. I hope you'll enjoy as much as I always do. Roll on October 17th!!!

I hope that this trip will be a great first visit to Greece for you, Lynne I loved Rhodes Old Town and spent a couple of days just wandering round it. What time of year are you going?

Hi Phoebe , we will be going during school holidays so the month of August as i work in school , travelling from Bristol airport and the flight is XL airways , have read some bad reports about XL, never flown with them before , we live in south wales and would have preferred Cardiff airport but are flying from Bristol .

I've been to Rhodes with XL a few times and have always been quite happy, no delays. Maybe I've just been lucky but I'm sure it'll be fine. I live in Wales too but can't always get flights to Rhodes from Cardiff. Airtours have a 6a.m. flight on a wednesday which I've used a few times but it's a very early start as they like you at the airport 3 hours in advance!

I think someone else has a thread about XL - mixed reports (mainly delays), but lots of people seem to have travelled quite happily with them.

Pack your high factor suncream Lynne, as Rhodes has some of the highest temparutures in the Greek Islands

lindy

for the good the bad and the ugly on excell [xl airways] see the excell thread in the flights forum

you can ask questions there, the holiday forums are for hotel resort and where to go type questions

wizard

We have flown to Rhodes from Bristol with XL several times and have always found them fine.

Come to think of it, we shall be doing that trip on Wednesday. 08:05 flight, 3 hours check in. I'd nearly forgotten. Then down to the harbour for the ferry to Symi. Back in 4 weeks. Cheerio.