My boyfriend and I want to go to Kos in May for about two weeks. He went to Kos a few times and he loves it. Now Im upsetting the apple cart a bit coz I am hoping for something that I am not sure exits. Searching all over I dont get much answers so maybe someone out there can help or I must change my plans. What I am hoping to find is a villa on the Island for about a week and then go on a gulet from island to island and stay on the yacht. I dont want a hotel. I like fun and nightlife but my main aim really is to enjoy the local culture and really see how they live and not experience a resort. Beaches are a must and I love exploring as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for Kos? and gulets starting and leaving in Greece?

Start by doing a Google search for 'Kos villas'. You don't say where you are from, but several Greek Island specialists advertise in the British newspapers.

Gulets are something I would associate with Turkey rather than Greece. I haven't heard of anything similar in the Greek Islands. You could charter a yacht, I suppose, but that would be expensive.

I wouldn't have said that Kos was the best island to "enjoy the local culture", it'a a fairly well developed resort island. Saying that we had a perfectly good holiday there a couple of years ago staying in Kefalos out of season (early October). After touring about the island, I decided it would have been even nicer to stay in Mastahari, which has more of a Greek feel and a lovely sandy beach. If you hire a car it is easy to get to see the mountain villages, ruins and more out of the way beaches. It's also possible to take a boat trip over to the volcanic island of Nissyros or the ferry to the neighbouring island of Kalymnos.

"Gulet" is Turkish, not Greek. On Greek island-hopping people usually use ordinary ferries from island to island and sleep in small pensions.

Thank you. I have tried a few British websites but couldnt find an specialist consultant. they all told me to take a look at the website. not much help for the finer details. I am traveling from South Africa so cant pop into the branch so now trying local travel agencies. thanks for your input.

This is the sort of website to which I was referring: http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/kos.htm. Kos is more of a package holiday type of island, though, so you would probably be better off looking for a hotel and island hopping by ferry as suggested above.

Like Heimdall said, Kos is a typical charter island, known as one of the summer playgrounds of European young people. But May is not yet play season, so it should be very peaceful.

The best option (cheapest) would be buying a charter package from London. They have negotiated prices, and charter flight are cheaper. I just don´t know any UK charter agencies. Maybe some UK person can give you some names, there are plenty.

Visit Nissyros and Kalymnos like Maria suggested. I once spent a whole week in Nissyros and during that time was invited to one wedding and one Christening. And just happened to land in a funeral.

Hi OF - I don't think you'll find much nightlife in May. Your only chance would be Kos town ...

And I agree with Maria. Not ideal for 'local culture'. (The only place where locals outnumber tourists is really Kos town ...)

There are lots of UK package holiday companies which offer Kos inexpensively in spring - Olympic, First Choice, Airtours, Thomson, Going Places ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve

For chaeap and cheerful packages from the UK to Kos and other Greek destinations try www.kosmar.co.uk

Or you could just book a flight to Athens, fly or ferry to Kos from there, find your own room in Kos Town (there will be plenty available in May), then do a little island hopping. With a week left after your stay on Kos, you could comfortably visit two more islands. Kalymnos and Nissyros have already been mentioned, but if you wish to go a little further, either Patmos or Rhodes would be possibilities.