We stayed in Kefalos in early October 2005, hired a car and went all over the place - but there are plenty of coach and boat trips, if you prefer.

Kos town was well worth a visit - we spent 2 half days and an evening there. For anyone who enjoys wandering round ruins, there were plenty, from 2000 year old Greek and Roman remains, to a huge Crusader castle. There was a good pedestrian area with shops, restaurants and bars and a little market hall where I bought loads of cheap herbs and spices.

Other places to visit were the Asklipion, the ruins associated with Hippocrates, the mountain villages - watched the sunset and had a good meal in Zia. Loads of beaches - found some uncrowded ones on the stretch past Paradise Beach (which itself had too many sun-beds for my liking) and also at Mastihari.

The trip to the volcanic island of Nisyros was interesting, you get some time in the little village and get to go right down into the volcanic core and see bubbling, steaming holes surrounded by sulphur crystals, it does pong a bit and health and safety would have a field day but we enjoyed it!