|
Kos
is a fertile island with a mild
climate, sandy beaches (some of which
have black volcanic sand) and ample
hotel accommodation. Most places of
historical and sightseeing interest lie
within the pretty main town of the same
name, and its immediate surroundings,
and can be visited easily on foot or by
hiring a bicycle. The Plane Tree of
Hippocrates, a massive tree with a
trunk 12m (39ft) in circumference, is
near here, as is the castle of the
Knights of St John, an impressive
example of medieval defensive
architecture with its double wall and
moat; an ancient agora with remains of
Greek buildings of the 4th to 2nd
centuries BC; the Temple of Dionysus;
the Odeon; a restored Roman
villa with mosaic decorations; some
Roman baths; and a Gymnasium of
the Hellenistic period (2nd century BC)
with a restored colonnade of Xytos. The
beaches towards Lambi, to the
north of Kos, and towards Agios
Fokas, to the south, are being
developed. Places to visit include Asfendiou,
Kardamena, Pili, the old fortress
at Palio Pili, the fishing
villages of Marmari and Mastihari,
Kefalos with its pleasant beach and
Palatia where ruins of Astipalaia,
the ancient capital of Kos, survive.
Other resorts
include Antimahia, Lambi, Milos
Lappa and Psalidi.
There are frequent
daily flights to the mainland, and
frequent connections by ship to
Piraeus. Local steamship lines link Kos
with Rhodes and Kalimnos and with
Nissiros.
Conducted Tours:
There is a daily coach tour of the
island.
Cruises: There
are day cruises to Kalimnos, Nissiros
(with a visit to its volcano), Patmos
(with a visit to the monastery and Grotto
of St John the Baptist) and to
Pserimos and its splendid swimming
beach.
|
