We will be in Koskinou in mid june and i want to surprise my girlfriend, or do something special for her birthday. We will have a car and will be close to Rhodes City, but would prefer to avoid the touristy spots. Will definitely take her out to eat so a few leads to some nice restaurants will be good, but would love to surprise her with something aside from that. Does anybody have any advice for this one?
1
grahamk
My suggestion (which may be thinking outside the box), would be to take her on a day trip to Symi, from Mandraki harbour in Rhodes town. Lots of ships do this tour.
This is a wonderful trip and usually stops first at Panormitis monastry for an hour (great little bakery here), then it goes round to the main harbour of Symi (for about 4 hour stop). Where the houses and view are spectacular.
Get of the boat and head up (to the left as you enter the harbour) away from the touristy harbour. This will take you up the 400 odd steps of the Kalistrata. Stop about 3/4 of the way up at the Kalistata bar and look at a fantastic view back down . Continue up the steps to a lovely vine covered square with a couple of simple tavernas, for a welcome drink.
If you still have time and energy, go back down a few steps to Geogios taverna (on the corner) and turn right. Go past Hotel Fiona on your left and at a T junction turn left and this will take you up to the old windmills and fort, giving spectacular views.
We actually went to spend a night on Symi 6 years ago during our 2 weeks holiday on Rhodes, and once we saw the view from Hotel Fiona we stayed 2 nights. Now we just use Rhodes as a stop over and stay for a week on Symi, where we were last week.
This for me would be a great present for her and something to remember.
More info and pictures
Symi Visitor Site
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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