There are many amazing sites to see in Istanbul, glorious architecture, great food, lots of walking, wonderful people; take the ferry up the Bosphorus. If you start a thread on the Turkey section, you'll get terrific help from otherchelebi who lives there.
Also, one more word of defense regarding Lindos. If you like the beach, it is beautiful. The village is charming and the views are picturesque. I don't think you'll run into the crowds in May anyway. We stayed right in the Old Town of Rhodos and had no lack of things to do. We took the local bus when we went to Lindos which was convenient. I defininately recommend the day trip to Symi. Enjoy!

I visited Lindos at the beginning of May 2006, and it was jam-packed. The village was not at all charming because it was so crowded. Of course, the number of tourists probably fluctuates according to how many cruise ships are in port.

parosblue

I have already discovered otherchelebi and will be hitting him up for restaurant recommendations when my trip gets closer!!

Hi Not_enuf_vaca, if you are still checking in, what is the namne of the mystery about 19th century Istanbul that you read (we are heading there this summer) thanks

The original is 4 years old but since I've been to Rhodes 6 times since 2000, I am obviously in the like camp. The medieval town and Lindos are charming but don't go in July or August when both are bursting at the seams.

If you want to enjoy Rhodes and Crete, you need to go in April-June or Sept-November. I usually go in October and November and the weather is usually in the 70's with a little rain possible. I've also gone to Kos and Marmaris on day trips and that worked out well. Too many tourists only visit Santorini and Mykonos and don't explore the other island groups.

lauramsgarden, I think you are referring to the mysteries by Jason Goodwin, featuring Inspector Yashim. The Janissary Tree and The Snake Stone are two of them.

thanks Mes2525, we are planning in June - now it is just a matter of figuring out how many nights on each island and how we are getting from here to there. and thanks Happytrvlr, will definitely check them out - sounds fun

We were one of those couples who spent 12hrs on Rhodes from a cruise and we loved it. We walked the old town and ended up taking public transportation to Lindos. Sooooo much fun, not for everyone, no one spoke English, the bus was loaded with locals, and we had no idea where we would be getting off. We loved being with the local people, hearing them speak and making hand motions with them in trying to tell them where we were going and where we should get off. Tons of fun and took a taxi back to old town. :-)

As a Greek I love Rhodes. I don't see a single reason to "hate" this island, it's so beautiful. The UNESCO listed walled town of Rhodes, the ancient town of Lindos with its Acropolis, rich nature and forests, great beaches, monasteries and castles sparkled all over the island and great cuisine. The only thing one can hate in Rhodes, is the booze-thirsty teens that have their own villages in Rhodes and they won't get out of them. But ofcourse you can avoid them, just don't go... Rhodes is magnificent, totaly recommended.

The question "love it or hate it" is misleading indeed. I cannot image anyone hating Rhodes, but I can imagine people saying "it has not too much to offer" (and I heard Greeks saying "Rhodes is not Greece").

What puzzles me here on this forum that Americans appear to be focused on Greek islands and are neglecting the mainland. With the exception of Crete, all islands have their limitations.

For a first-timer to Greece I would always recommend a trip to mainland Greece and the Peloponnes - you find there everything an island can offer - some of the world's best beaches, speedboat excursions, fishing ports etc. - but you find much more, including archeological sites, Byzantine and medieval monasteries and castles, picturesque villages, olive oil, wine, food, mountains, canyons, museums, just everything you want.

I agree, the mainland is definitely worth seeing. My first (alas, so far only) visit I started in Thessaloniki and worked my way south to Athens, joined a tour of the Peloponnese, and finished with Crete, Rhodes and Kos. I enjoyed both the mainland and the islands very much.

PetroB3 where would you stay on Rhodes as a first time visitor? and Thursdaysd - would also love your recommendations for Crete, Rhodes and Kos. We already have the mainland part of the trip figured out, just trying to narrown down which islands, where on said islands, and how much time there. I think we first timers are fascinated by the islands because (at least for us) it will be so different from other vacations we have taken. (:

Well, it was a while ago, but go here:

http://wilhelmswords.com/eur2006/index.html - Idling Through the Islands