Traveling to the Greek island of Rhodes? This beautiful island, long sacred to Helios, the Greek god of the sun, is showing a darker side lately.
Public drunkenness, violence, sexual assaults, indecent exposure, bizarre deaths and even tourist-on-tourist murders are alarming Greek authorities, who say enough is enough. Even the hospitals on Rhodes have been overwhelmed with cases of alcohol poisoning from drinking too much, fatal heart attacks and strokes caused by massive drug overdoses, and injuries from drunken brawls or car accidents.
Tour operators who are creating packages that attract the "wrong kind", in the eyes of Greek authorities, may even face penalties.
What this means for your Greek travel plans:
If you're visiting the resorts and beaches for a nice holiday, you have nothing to worry about. Greek authorities are on the prowl for troublemakers, not your average sun-seeking tourist.
If you're planning a wild week of pub crawling, you may encounter police raids, arrests, and other hassles in the interest of public safety. Rhodes wants to lose its reputation as a wild and even dangerous party island, and lose it fast - preferably, before the Athens Olympics in 2004.
If you are arrested for public drunkenness, indecent exposure, or other infractions, trials often result in jail time which can be bought off at a set price per day - but don't count on this. Being a citizen of another nation will not protect you from Greek justice - Greek laws, and punishments, will apply to you.
