Kos

On the border / visa
Kos Island is located in the Dodecanese in the Aegean Sea near the coast of Turkey. You can get there or charter flights with a change in Athens. Flights to the island organize Olympic Air lines. Regular ferry services are held with the port of Piraeus, as well as other islands of the archipelago, from Rhodes, of Patmos.

Climate / When to go?
Due to the location of the island, the tourist season is slightly longer compared to other regions of Greece. In September the weather is sunny and warm. The most popular tourist months are July and August. The days are sunny and dry. During this time the temperatures are the highest recorded, and therefore this time is recommended for those who plan to devote their time to sunbathing and relaxing in the water. Out of season the number of tourists is lower, and prices are lower. The downside is a smaller number of buses and ferries. The coldest period is from December to March. There are much less sunny days and it rains a lot.

Currency
The official currency is the Euro.

Language
Modern Greek (also known as Demotiki), which is the Greek spoken today, is a language derived from vulgar Greek and was made official in 1976. It is very different, both in pronunciation and vocabulary, from ancient Greek. In the main tourist resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops, people also speak English, French, German and Italian. You'll also find menus, directions and tourist brochures written in Italian, English, French and German.

Electrical outlets / phone coverage
Electrical current is 220 volts. In the case of different socket, you can buy an adapter locally or at the airport.

When you enter, your telephone will automatically connect to a Greek telephone operator.
For calls to Greece, the country code is +30, following with the local area code.

History / Customs
The first colonizers were the inhabitants of the coast of Asia Minor, who began to settling the island 2000 BC. Around 1100 BC Dorian’s appeared on the island. The islands capital, Kos, was founded in 336 BC. Like other areas of Greece, Kos became part of the Roman Empire and then Byzantium. In 1302 AD the Venetians occupied the island, and then sold the island to the Knights of St. John. In 1523 the Turks took over Kos; they ruled over the island for the next 400 years. In 1912 it was in the hands of the Italians, and during World War II, it was occupied by German troops. After the war, it was a protectorate of Great Britain for a short time. Greece became autonomous in 1947.

Mentality / tradition
Intensive development of tourism on the island significantly contributed to changes in islander’s lifestyle, who used to focus mainly on agriculture. Today more and more people are employed in tourism, opening their own business - a coffee shop, car rental shops. Tourists mainly arrive during the main season. Outside the main season the islanders meet in taverns, cafés for a coffee; or a fully served table. They like to spend time at common feasts, discussions and gossip; they are very hospitable and like to start conversation.

Airports / Car Rental
Hippocrates Airport is located in the center of the island, near the village of Antimachia, approximately 27 km from the capital. The airport buses are KTEL. You can get them at the capital and other tourist destinations Mastichari, Kefalos, Kardamena. During the main season, the airport handles a lot of charter flights. In Kos, you can fly to Athens, Thessaloniki and the neighboring islands. Flights are organized by Olympic Air support lines.

Public Transport
Virtually all areas of the island, especially tourist destinations and famous beaches can be reached by bus. The island has regular ferry services to the neighboring islands. In season, cruise ships also run to Bodrum in Turkey.

Taxis / Infrastructure
The city and tourist destinations offer a lot of taxis on the street or on demand by phone. Prices compared with other Western European countries are quite affordable. The roads are in fairly good condition, narrow in cities. You have to watch out for local drivers because they drive very recklessly.

Events
Public holidays are:
• New Year's Day
• The Baptism of Christ (6 January)
• Lenten Friday
• Independence Day (25 March)
• Easter
• Labour Day (1 May)
• Pentecost
• The Feast of the Assumption (15 August)
• Ochi Day (25 October)
• Christmas (25 and 26 December)
During summer the Beach Ball is held on the island.

Culinary Specialties
You just have to try the Greek ‘Mezedes’ or the beloved appetizers grape leaves with Tsatsiki or seafood. You can’t skip out on the skewers with onions, tomatoes and peppers called Souvles. Vegetables are an essential component of fresh salads, including the Greek Choriatiki. In Greece they eat a lot of meat grilled, boiled and stewed with vegetables.
The top dishes are Moussaka casserole with eggplant, potato and meat; or meat, pasta and bechamel sauce called pastítsio. A specialty is yogurt, which often served as dessert with honey. Having coffee and sweets is undoubtedly a Turkish influence. These include halva, baklava and others; sweet sugar syrup is poured on them generously. You must try the Greek coffee or Elliniko.
On the island, you can also try Turkish cuisine, offered by resident representatives of the Turkish minority on the island.

Sights
Kos is especially recommended for those planning a quiet, holiday travel with children or friends. It has wonderful beaches with encouraging temperatures for taking a swim and sunbathing. In the tourist resorts there are a number of restaurants, taverns, shops and water sport equipment rental shops. The most famous place on the island is Asclepeion, a center of worship of the god of medicine; it now serves as a spa. Thanks to a terrace position on the hillside there is a spectacular view. In the capital itself, the ruins of the castle of the Knights of St. John, the tree of Hippocrates, the Gazi Hassan Pasha Mosque and the archaeological museum are worth seeing. You should go to the villages in the interior of the island: Zia, Tingaki, Asómatos and see the preserved elements of traditional architecture.