Page 20 - BLISS-2024

BLISS_Kos island

A medley of nature and time,

surrounded by sea

Kos can dazzle visitors with its scent of history,
enchant them with the breathtaking view of its coastline
and peaks, bewitch them with the taste of its tradition.

TEXT BY MARIA P. KANTANI

S o, you have found yourself on Kos Island, of its tradition. Omnipresent, the caress of the

sun and the caress of the sea - both trademarks
in the Aegean Sea. Congratulations are
in order. This is no ordinary destination;
hand on my heart, I can assure you that you of the Greek summer. Ever-present, the song of
the island’s thermal springs, merging with the
have chosen wisely. On the diverse Greek map, melody of Nature.
among a list of island destinations that are far If you are in for some physical and mental exercise,
from humble, Kos deservedly holds its own there are two ways to discover the island of Kos: (a)
unique place. on foot, since the island features ideal conditions
Shall I try, like a true guide, stating numbers for hiking enthusiasts, (b) riding the bike of your
first? 37.089 permanent residents, a surface choice. Kos has been widely known as the “island
area of 295.3 square kilometres and a coastline of cycling”, and not without reason. With more
of 112 kilometres. The third largest island of the than 15 kilometres of cycle paths along the coast,
Dodecanese region comes second in terms of 6,500 bikes available for hire, many mountain trails
population. If islands went on trips and Kos had and routes for all levels, cycling is the ultimate
to go through passport control in the airport, that way to see the island’s sights. The strong cycling
would be the personal information the person culture dates back to the Italian occupation and
doing the check would read. And what impression the systematic use of bicycles by Italian soldiers,
would it make? Absolutely none. So it’s just as which was subsequently adopted by the locals as
well that it’s us who are on our way to make the it seemed a good choice considering the island’s
acquaintance of the islands which, blissfully still morphology. Iconic Greek films of the 1960s
and surrounded by sea, are waiting to welcome show movie stars cycling along the Boulevard
us. Just as well, because the enchanting identity of Palms. Since then, cycling has been a popular
of any land never resides or can be revealed in activity for locals and visitors alike.
numbers. Can I claim the privilege of trying to The scent of history permeates the entire island,
fit as much as I can into words? and the town of Kos is no exception. Its architecture
Allow me to invite you on a fantastic ride, to echoes with the historical diversity, as alongside
offer you a foretaste of what you will enjoy, with the colonial-style Italian buildings there are low
all senses, during your stay here. Kos can dazzle white island houses, Muslim mosques, knights’
the visitor with its scent of history (the place was walls, apartment blocks, and restored ancient
inhabited from Neolithic times; its tale begins public buildings.
all the way back from 5th-4th millennium BC), Let’s meet in Freedom Square, the centre of
enchant them with the breathtaking view of its the modern city. Here we are surrounded by
coastline and peaks, bewitch them with the taste three huge buildings, a legacy of the Italian era

Agios Stefanos ruins in Kefalos bay. In the background, the small island of Kastri.
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