After months of uni deadlines and working on a stuffy poolside with the occasional bout of boredom , the first trip of the summer was very much due. With beaches, ancient ruins, and enough cocktails to sink a small boat, our five-day trip to Rhodes was the perfect start to my summer.
Day 1 – We landed and went straight into relaxation mode. Our first full day was all about the beach—we hired loungers at a beach bar, soaked up the sun (and maybe burnt a little), and took several dips in the sea. There’s something unbeatable about being on a beach, in mainland Europe, with water that doesn’t make you feel hypothermic.
Around 7-ish, we swapped swim suits for something more presentable and headed to Rhodes Old Town. The medieval walls, narrow cobbled streets, and souvenir shops are so different to the everyday sights at home that it felt almost unreal.. We wandered without a plan, then found a restaurant for dinner followed by a round of cocktails. Bliss.
I truly believe that the happiest times I’ve had have either been at uni, or on holiday. I couldn’t tell you what it is, but this trip was just a 5 day serotonin high. It was my first taste of independence since coming home in April and I was loving it. I was also loving the infinite number of cats roaming around but I think that all comes in second to finally seeing my boyfriend again.
Day 2 – We started the day at a fancy little breakfast spot that looked like something straight out of a rich girl Instagram post. We devoured a full English, then it was back to the beach with our newly purchased pink swim goggles in hand so that we could look for fish (got to keep in touch with your inner child).
After dinner, we made another cocktail bar trip and tried something called “Holy Water.” All I drank that night was a glass of prosecco and one of these and I think being home from uni has turned me back into a lightweight. In my defence, the Holy Water had 4 different spirits in it and barely any mixer.
Day 3 (the favourite) – This was our adventure day: we caught the bus to Lindos (after much difficulty) to visit the Acropolis, sat dramatically above whitewashed buildings and a beautiful sea. The views? Absolutely worth it. The heat and humidity that made me sweat horrifically? A lot less romantic.
We bought handheld fans when we first got off the bus thinking it would help— they did nothing. It was that hot. So after dragging ourselves back down to the beach, we cooled off in the water and tried to recover from the climb. There were so many stairs.
That night, we treated ourselves to a dinner and, naturally, more cocktails. Let’s call it cultural immersion. The night ended sitting on the balcony, wating the street below, soaking up as much of our holiday together as we could. It honestly felt like a fever dream.
Day 4 – With a few hours to kill before our flight, we visited the Rhodes Aquarium right at the end of the island —mostly to stay out of the sun in air conditioning. It wasn’t huge and honestly wasn’t worth the money, but it was a fun way to waste time while it lasted.
Then it was off to the airport, slightly sunburnt, and already missing the lazy beach days and warm evenings.
Next stop, Madeira…
xoxo The Bueno Dispatch
Ps. to see some pictures I took go to my Tik Tok @the.bueno.dispatch