The uncluttered New Town with its open spaces, Italian palaces in a neo-Gothic style, and views across the harbour is a pleasant area to stroll, as is a revisit to the Old Town's Street of the Knights.

Our repeat visit to Rhodes Town only occupies the morning and we return to the hotel to have lunch. Having booked the hotel on a half-board basis, and normally having breakfast and evening meal in the ground floor buffet, we take lunch in the specialised dining area a floor below. All the a la carte restaurants are situated here and we enjoy Greek salads and wine in sophisticated surroundings. We spend the afternoon relaxing with David having his daily swim in our pool before dinner.

 

Monday, May 30th (Day 12) is our 58th Wedding Anniversary, which we begin by driving to the Valley of Butterflies - a 600-acre nature park towards the northern part of the island.

It is another sunny day, and although a little cooler than of late, we are grateful for the shade provided by the Zitia trees as we walk the full length (and back) of the steep valley. The butterflies (actually the moth Panaxia) congregate here from June, but we only see one specimen, plus some crabs, lizards, and birds, etc. However, it is a very attractive park to visit.