Go Local - Rhodes Traditional Inland Villages

Soak up the rural atmosphere in several inland villages while tasting classic Greek specialties such as sourdough bread, stuffed grape leaves and ouzo.

After departing from the pier, you will drive inland through beautiful pine forests to the village of Psinthos, a small farming community. While pausing at a bakery, you will see how Greek sourdough bread is made from scratch and baked in a wood-fired oven. You can expect it to be an enlightening and genuine look at traditional village life.

Continuing on, you will drive through other charming mountain villages and pass a former Italian-built sanatorium before arriving in Apollona. While walking through the village, you will visit a historical church and then pause at a café for a glass of ouzo and a meze. The drink is synonymous with Greek life, especially when paired with a traditional appetizer.

More scenic vistas await you on the way to the village of Salakos, as it is surrounded by dense forests, ancient olive groves and vineyards with grape varieties such as athiri. The grape leaves are used for dolmades, which you will sample in one of the village squares, as the guide elaborates on their preparation. The leaves are typically stuffed with rice, minced meat and fresh herbs, and as you will discover dolmades are extraordinarily tasty.

Grapes are also grown to produce souma, although this aperitif can also be made with figs. After sampling a glass of souma, you will be served a traditional barbecue lunch.