Historical Rhodes: a blend of natural beauty and modern luxury
Posted by White Key Villas on Fri, Jan 14, 2011
An alley inside Rhodes Old Town
Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese group and one of the most historical ones in Greece. As showcased by the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven World Wonders, throughout ancient times, it was believed to belong to Helios, the God of the Sun and that for good reason: with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and over 250 kilometers of coastline, this island must have a divine blessing.
The natural beauty of the island and the monuments from its long and often turbulent history, combine a lively present with a rich historical past. On the one hand, Rhodes offers perfect beachfront settings and superb luxury properties like Villa Callirrhoe, which rank among Condé Nast Traveller's Best European Villas; on the other hand, it also offers a great variety of cultural and historical sites and sports activities.
If you are into sports, enjoy sailing, scuba diving and certainly windsurfing, but also golf or tennis. If you are eager to explore the island’s curiosities visit the Valley of Butterflies – a place where during July and August you will be charmed by thousands of butterflies! Combine a visit to the ancient Acropolis of Lindos with an unforgettable culinary journey to Mavrikos, the awarded family restaurant, which impresses even the most sophisticated foodies with its inventive fine Greek cuisine. Don’t let the superficial simplicity fool you; Nelson Rockefeller, members of Pink Floyd and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are just very few of the guests who have savored the restaurant’s delicacies. Alternatively, have us organize you a day-trip on a private boat, either to the islands of Symi or Halki or even to the vibrant port city of Marmari just across the shores of Rhodes!
Villa Callirrhoe, Rhodes
The island’s capital lies outside and within the walls of a very well preserved Venetian castle, built by the Knights of Saint John. UNESCO has declared this famous Old Town with its great palace and massive protective walls a World Heritage Site, especially because of the fact that it is still being inhabited. It is not a monument but a very lively part of the city. Have your private guide take you back in time through the alleys of the castle and unwind later on in one of its many restaurants and bars.
With such a vast coastline, Rhodes also offers a great assortment of beaches. No matter the constellation of your group, if you are in the mood to leave the haven of your luxury villa to explore the coasts you will definitely find the one beach that suits your lifestyle: select among the fabulous, large sandy beaches on the east and south (which are a treat for families with children), the windsurfing beaches like Prassonisi on the southern tip, the party beaches like Faliraki and Rhodes Town and the almost forgotten rocky beaches on the northwestern coast. No matter your preferences, look out for what most beaches have in common and ask us for the nearby traditional taverna where you can enjoy fresh fish prepared on the spot.
Rhodes is easily accessible by plane and its international airport is often connected directly to many European cities. Alternatively, you can arrive by boat passing by a variety of Aegean islands.