Kos

Fringed by the finest beaches in the Dodecanese and cut through by lush valleys, Kos is an island of endless surprises and varied treasures. Among the highlights are the ruins of the Asclepion, the most important healing sanctuary in the ancient world, founded by Hippocrates himself, the ‘Father of Medicine’, who was born on Kos in the 5th century BC. Relaxation was key to treatment here, an idea fully endorsed today by the owners of OKU Kos, an adults-only hideaway on the island’s north coast. Other worthwhile distractions include the island’s thermal springs, the nearby volcanic island of Nisyros, and the capital Kos Town, whose harbour is fronted by a medieval castle with commanding views across the straits that separate Kos and the Turkish coast. Guests of family-focused resort Ikos Aria can explore the island for free with complimentary use of a Tesla for a day.