This is now the third jeep safari we have gone on with Encharted Escapes, Rhodes. Last year we did the South and the North of the island trips and enjoyed them both so much that this year we repeated the trip of the South of the island. To be honest, although the trip is a great day, and definitely not to be missed, the highlight of the trip was our guide, Thanassis whose knowledge of the area is absolutely phenomenal and his dedication to the days and to his guests is brilliant. The jeep safaris are always the highlight of our holiday and our favourite day but this year was even better. It was lovely to meet up with Thanassis again and to share his passion and knowledge of the island. What a fantastic trip and a truly fantastic guide. Thank you. We would thoroughly recommend this day to anyone booking a holiday to Rhodes.
The tour was phenomenal from beginning to end. Michael picked us up right in front of the cruise ship, along with all of other ginormous tour buses. His Land Rover stood out of the bunch and made finding him so easy! We checked in to the tour in 2 minutes (if that long). We hopped right in and began our journey.
We went through old town and Michael noted many of the history of the town; the businesses that have been there for years, the areas of neighborhood, etc. (just to start). We then began to ascend into the hills. He also shared the history of Rhodes, from Turkish occupation, to Italian take over, and finally back to Greece. Michael is a native of Rhodes, and he absolutely knows all the ins and outs of the city!
He took us to so many sites I lost count (I'd say more than the other tour buses was able to), as we were able to travel on dried riverbeds and rough terrains that the buses were not. Since the car only allowed 4 additional seats besides the driver, the passengers were able to enjoy one-on-one questions, conversations. I was able to ask questions about anything, everything.
As we reached the pinnacle of the excursion, he took us to a family-owned restaurant. What a great treat! We were so stuffed when we left. The other driver kept on warning us that we might fall asleep on the drive down if we eat (or drink) too much! It was hard not to as everything was so fresh, so perfectly seasoned, and just the perfect ending to our trip.
Finally, we were brought back to the ship and once again, Michael dropped us right up at the ship entrance.
Seriously, I have not been on many, if any, excursions that went as smoothly, as enjoyable, as informational, as the one I went on with Michael.
I would highly recommend, a must do, might even go back to Rhodes again, when it comes to Uncharted Escapes' tour with Michael!
Thank you so very much for this experience!
The tour was a west-east off-road jeep tour of north Rhodes... Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, but difficult to understand. We saw a lot... but most of the tour was just driving through lots of forest, mountains and low level farming areas, with little opportunity to see the things we wanted to see, despite us being the only passengers... We did get to see some archaelogical sites, but little opportunity to stop for breaks... We are very fit early 70's, but our guide seemed intent on completing the tour without any breaks - refreshment, toilet or otherwise - before finishing with what was a lovely meal break, but only after a continuous of-road drive from 0900-1530 with only a break at Elias Profilas that we insisted on... It is an expensive trip which is not good value for what you see of the island in terms of variety. This tour must be better structured in future... There needs to be more breaks, and earlier lunch break with the rest of the tour resumed afterwards...Our guide dictated what we saw so we dont know what other sites of interest - like churches, mosques and other heritage buildings we could and should have seen based on what we said we wanted to see..
6 hours of just off-road through woods, forest and mountains and nothing else is not what most customers would want...