Villa Rafail can be found in a quiet residential area near the village of Lindos, on the southeastern coastline of the ancient Greek island of Rhodes, the jewel in the crown of the Dodecanese Islands. The villa is thirty-eight kilometres from Rhodes’ Diagaros International airport, a scenic hour’s drive away. In the village of Lindos, there are local shops and mini markets for daily provisions, cute cafes and bars for morning coffee and evening retsina, and lots of traditional family-run seafood tavernas, where you can sample some delicious Greek delicacies. Lindos has its own Acropolis, reputedly one of the most impressive sights in Rhodes, and the most idyllic beaches.
The nearest beach is St Paul’s, a seven-minute drive to this quiet resort with crystal clear easy entry waters and sandy beach. Within a few kilometres, the beautiful beaches of Navarone Bay, Pefki, and Kavos can be found. A short drive will get to the major sights of Kalithea Springs, Rhodes Waterpark, Rodini Park, Diagoras Stadium, Andreas Papandreou Park, and the Acropolis of Rhodes. For some holiday hot spots, and tourist entertainment make your way north of the villa to Faliraki, where those who like the nightlife, will find lots of lively clubs and bars. Rhodes really is a walker’s island with almost fourteen thousand square kilometres of local flora and fauna to explore. Walk through forests, hike up mountains, discover ancient sites along the way, and maybe stop at a welcoming village taverna to sample the local wine, honey, and herbs.
The ancient town of Rhodes is an hour’s drive from the villa, and well worth a visit. The old town of Rhodes has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as you wander the narrow lanes, old streets, and fortifications you’ll see why. Rhodes’ history, architecture, and culture have been influenced by the Knights of St John, and Venetian and Ottoman conquests. Make sure you visit the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Castle of Monolithos, the Suleyamniye Mosque, the Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Modern Greek Art. Don’t miss the many ornate churches, and count the eleven gates as you make your way around the old town. If you can’t pound the pavements, take a Segway tour, or stop for refreshment in a traditional taverna and sip ouzo as you watch the world go by.
For the adventurous, rent a quad bike, or join a jeep safari, then take a tour of the island. Make sure you take a boat trip, or better still charter your own yacht, and sail the high seas. Spend the day swimming and snorkelling, discovering secret bays and hidden coves, and enjoy a selection of Greek mezes on board. Venture further afield and island hop on a high-speed catamaran to the adjacent Dodecanese destinations, or even cross the sea and take a trip to Turkey, where you can enjoy some freshly caught fish feast in Fethiye.