This Trip Starts in Rhodes

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With a bit of a late start we once again find ourselves in Europe. Our adventure begins in Rhodes. Then, it's on to London and the Olympics. After all that fun and excitement we will travel to Interlaken, Switzerland to hike those beautiful mountain trails. Our finish will take us back to the Greek Islands, visiting some of our favorites within the Cyclades.

Rhodes has been an enjoyable first stop. The weather is hot and often windy. The Old Town is as charming as always and the water is beautiful. However, some areas are looking a bit shabby and run down due to the economic difficulties they are experiencing. The locals are just as nice as ever and are doing their best in these uncertain times. There are few Americans, but the Germans, British, Italians and Russian tourists are plentiful and helping to boost the economy.

Since we have been here several times, we planned some day trips to some nearby islands. One trip took us to Symi, which is a lovely island of old, restored villas. The harbor town of Symi is most picturesque and laid back. A second stop on the island was to Panoramitis to visit the monastery that is located there.

On the island of Tilos there were once dwarf mammoths. They ranged in size from German Shepherds to small ponies. The archaeological museum in the village of Megalo Chorio had nice exhibits of the bones and photos of the cave excavations. The rest of the island was quite arid and mountainous with pretty coastal views.

London and the Olympics are approaching quickly. The change in the weather has been a very nice development. We were NOT looking forward to being constantly wet. The excitement is building and we are ready to enjoy all the fun. We will be waving our own special sign which says, "Sarasota Shines, Tucson Rocks". Watch for us, I'm sure we'll be easy to find😊

RPM

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Photos

The island of Rhodes
Old Town walls and the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. The Palace was built in 1309, destroyed in 1856, and rebuilt for Mussolini in 1903.

Walking in the former moat surrounding Old Town
The moat around the medieval town of Rhodes is 2.5 miles long and is a lovely walk around the Old Town

Hippocrates Square
Medieval fountain in the center of the Old Town shopping district.

Square of the Jewish Martyrs
This fountain is dedicated to those who perished in the Holocaust

Ancient Rhodes Acropolis
Ruins dating back to 3rd century BC

Grand view of the acropolis
Modern Rhodes in the distance

Comments

[Mel]

Cheerio!
Love all the travel shares. I'll be looking for you in London (on tv of course!) Mel

[Jody]

AWESOME as always
Dear Pam and Ron, Love the update on your recent destinations, Greece is still on my bucket list :) I hope the Olympics are a blast and I will be looking for the Sarasota/Tuscon flag amongst the thousands of others! :) Have a safe trip home, looking forward to September already. WE finally got some blessed rain, too little, too late for the farmers and my garden and many of my plants, but thankful it arrived anyway! Hugs to both, Jody

[Cliff]

As Always, Lovely and Inviting
Great stuff. Good to see you both at home (ie: wondering the world). Enjoy.