Rhodes is where knights and beaches meet. Known as the Island of the Knights, this sunny Dodecanese island in the southeastern Aegean combines remarkable medieval history with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.

Start inside the walls of the medieval Old Town, where the massive Palace of the Grand Master stands as a reminder of the Crusader knights who once ruled here. Then make your way to Lindos, a cluster of whitewashed houses beneath an ancient acropolis overlooking the sea. For a swim you won't forget, head to the sheltered, emerald-blue cove of Anthony Quinn Bay. End each day watching the sun sink into the Aegean.

Most travelers from the U.S. connect through Athens, and Rhodes is also a popular cruise port. On the flight in, look for the medieval walls reaching out into the sea and the mountains rising behind them. I'll plan your stay, connections and island-hopping so you can enjoy Greece at an easy pace.