Kos

For a small island Kos has more than its fair share of legends, ruins and resorts. Infact a couple of the resorts are now legendary and, some would argue ruined!

To be fair, the thriving beach towns all around the coastline cater very well for tourists, while inland amidst the fertile hills are many little villages where the traditional Greek way-of-life goes on.

Anyone who wants to find it doesn't have far to travel - the island is a mere 26 miles long and barely 6 miles wide.

Excursions:

Enjoy Kos with a good guide book

• An earthquake in 1933 all but destroyed the original Kos Town and in doing so revealed the remnants of past civilizations amidst the rubble. Hence the area is a haven for museum-moochers and Roman rummagers. By far the best exhibits are to be found in the Archaeological Museum which houses the island's relics, including Roman statues.
• The Casa Romana is a fine example of how the Romans used to live on the island with marble walled rooms, preserved mosaics and baths.
• The Castle of the Knights of St. John conjures up fairytale images as you explore the ancient battlements.
• The island's most famous character was Hippocrates who it is said planted the Plane Tree in Kos Town. It being only 600 years old however, it is probably an offspring of the original.
• Those in search of natural history will surely head for the nearby semi-active volcanic island of N�syros which last erupted in 1873. It left a crater with fascinating hot springs, bubbling mud and the appalling smell of 'bad eggs' caused by the sulphur.

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