I have never put any stock in horoscopes but as I’ve got older I’ve started to really relate to being a water sign. Whenever I start to feel bogged down by work or I’m having a bad day, being near water calms me and as the end of the school year comes round I yearn to be near the ocean.

As a result we decided to tag a mini break to Rhodes onto the end of our trip back home, flying from Manchester and returning directly into Stockholm.

I wanted this break to be a chance for Rob and I to relax so we opted for the Sheraton Rhodes Resort that was only 20mins from the airport and only 15mins from Rhodes town.

It is an impressive structure built into the hill with spanning views over the sea and pool areas from pretty much every room and restaurant area.

There are three pool areas, all with seating and umbrellas, but the main pool hosting the only pool bar. There is also an underpass to a private section of the beach with even more loungers so there was never a problem finding a seat no matter what time of the day we went down.

The location of the hotel made it perfect to decide if you wanted to pay hotel prices for meals or you could walk 5 mins down the street in either direction and to a plethora of local restaurants which were much cheaper.

We ate out twice but on the last night decided to eat in the hotel’s Greek restaurant Thea. It was more expensive than the street restaurants but was still cheaper than a meal out in Sweden so we were pleasantly surprised.

It also came with fantastic views over the ocean which was great as the sun was setting.

Each night we would return for some evening entertainment in the bar which varied each night but the outdoor area was a lovely area to sit and enjoy a nightcap.

In the middle of the trip we decided to venture into Rhodes town for the day. Doing very little research before we went, we were surprised to find that there is an old and new town in Rhodes and the entirety of the old town is a world UNESCO site due to its rich history.

It is pretty evident why as you walk through the old fort gates to enter which are impressive all on its own.

We thought the taxi driver was joking when he said you needed a couple of days to explore the old town alone but after only covering the north part in four hours, we could tell the man spoke the truth.

The most visited part of the old town is the Palace of the Grand Master which we were surprised had connections to Saint John the Baptist and consequently linked to Saint John’s ambulance. It’s the only site we needed to pay to visit but it was worth it to learn about its fascinating knightly history.

As we exited we followed the street of the Knights where we found some charming restaurants and shops where we stopped for a quick lunch.

I loved taking photos in the old town with every street and corner offering something new.

Before heading back, I found a family run bakery where I found some delicious Greek baklava. I was surprised how different it tasted with a more ginger/cinnamon flavor than the sweet honey flavour I am used to in Sweden which appears to have a more middle eastern origin.

Overall, Rhodes really surprised me. The people are ridiculously friendly and jovial making every personal encounter a pleasure. The ocean is a stunning shade of blue and the sun is always shining… definitely not something we are used to.

The only down side we experienced is that Greece is very much a smoking country so in all outdoor areas we found ourselves continuously second hand smoking even around the pool areas which could be quite frustrating. However all indoor areas were completely smoke free which was nice.

If you looking for a holiday destination where you can combine relaxation with rich history and culture at a reasonable price then Rhodes is definitely the place for you. We really enjoyed it and still left plenty to explore should we fancy returning in the future.

Towards the end of the holidays we have an exciting trip planned with my parents starting off in Vienna and finishing in Budapest but for now we are going to take some time at home to recharge.

Until then…

SP x