A Rhodian Summer

It has become a tradition to go on a large family holiday each year, and it is something that both Leo and I always look forward to. This years destination was Rhodes and although we didn't get out to do all of the typical tourism sites, we did have a relaxing week by the pool and I fell in love with a new part of the world.

Leo has become a little fish in the water, and the one to one swimming lessons have really paid off. It was incredible to see him looking so confident and competent in the pool (Even if he has inherited his Mum's fear of the sea).

We stayed in the beautiful Electra Palace, a 5* hotel set near enough of the waters edge and with some scenic walking routes into the nearby town. Leo accompanied his Granddad and I on what we believed to be a short stroll, but an hour and a half later we finally arrived at our destination, and by this point Leo had well and truly lost his sense of humour and a serious word of warning about how he wasn't leaving the pool again for the rest of the holiday. (It resulted in a taxi ride back to the hotel). 

Getting away with Leo, my parents and siblings is something that I truly believe is really special. Sometimes things in life happen that really help you appreciate what and who you have in your life, and sadly an event like that took place this month. 

Standing on the beach with my nearest and dearest as the sun began to set in the distance, I couldn't help but feel truly thankful. I might not have millions of pounds or drive the flashest of cars, what I do have is modest, but when it comes down to it family is priceless.

I am really lucky to have such a close knit family, and one of the things that I am truly proud of is that I get to share all of this, and all of these people with Leo. They have all helped shape him and watched him grow, and I know that they not only have my back, but they also have his too.

Old Rhodes town was somewhere I was really excited to visit (of course Leo by this point was not), but I am so glad that we had the opportunity to go along. It's absolutely beautiful and if boat tours are your thing then I highly recommend checking out the Yellow Submarine in the harbour.

We took a walk around the harbour and then found ourselves inside the old town walls, there were street vendors selling all sorts of weird and wonderful things and I was in my element when I found a whole herd of wild cats and their young kittens. 

With amazing food and Greek culture there is something for everyone in Rhodes. I know I need to go back in the not too distant future, as I didn't even begin to scratch the surface of this beautiful, beautiful place.

The Top 5 Historic Sites to Visit in Rhodes Town

Greece has always been a magical part of the world for me, it's beautiful climate and stunning beaches really do make it a prominent destination when I think of places that I would like to visit. Then of course there is the magical Medieval Old Town with all of it's colorful and visual shops.

Staying in Rhodes Town provides a superb location in terms of accessibility to the many Greek Tavernas and tantalizing restaurants that are stones throw away from many of the hotels and villas.

Rhodes has so much history to offer, and I love to immerse myself in the culture of a county when I visit. It allows you to experience and revel in an entirely different way of life, and as I a parent, I like to showcase this to Leo, and this is precisely why I believe that the judge who over ruled term time holidays in recent weeks, was wrong. Children learn so, so much when they travel and are allowed to absorb lessons that quite simply cannot be taught in school.

 We were looking at Rodos as one of our potential holiday destinations for 2017, before we decided on Crete. While we were doing our research we started looking at the attractions we would like to visit if we committed to the destination, and although we won't be able to do it this year, we do intend to visit in the next couple of years, and these were are Top 10 Historic Sites to Visit in Rhodes Town:

1. - Palace of Grand Master of Knights

The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, also known as the Kastello, is a medieval castle in the city of Rhodes. It is one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece. The site was previously a citadel of the Knights Hospitaller that functioned as a palace, headquarters and fortress.

2. - Ancient Olympic Stadium 

The stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, is located to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It was the location of many of the sporting events at the Ancient Olympic Games. It was a holy place for the ancient Greeks as back in the day, this is where the sporting events that were dedicated to Zeus were once held.

3. - Fort of Saint Nicholas 

The fortifications of the town of Rhodes are shaped like a crescent around the medieval town and consist mainly in a modern fortification composed of a huge wall made of an embankment encased in stone, equipped with scarp, bastions, moat, counterscarp and glacis. The portion of fortifications facing the harbour is instead composed of a crenellated wall. On the moles towers and defensive forts can be found.

4. - The Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus

The temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus is located on the Northern edge of the Acropolis. It is orientated E-W and was a Doric peripteral Temple made of poros.

There are Four oversized column drums and still parts of a capital and architrave that can still be seen on the site, they are an indication of its original monumental character.

This was where the Rhodians kept the texts of their treaties with other states.

5. Archaeological Museum of Rhodes 

A number of the most significant archaeological findings of the islands of Dodecanese are found in the Archaeological museum of Rhodes, which was constructed to be used as the Main Hospital of the city during the Knights’ era (15th century). The second hospital used by the Knights, now houses the library of the Archaeological Institute.