What to expect
Beachfront Hotel
Just steps to the beach
Lively Location
Explore Kos Town or Kardamena
Nightly Entertainment
Enjoy evenings at the hotel
Olympic-sized Pool
Enjoy lazy pool days
About this trip...
Come and join us on a sensational sun holiday to the stunning Greek Dodecanese Island of Kos. We stay at the four-star Aegean Village Hotel - a firm Solos favourite. Located on the hillside, the hotel offers spectacular views of the sea. With the beautiful village of Kardamena just minutes away, we can be sure to have the perfect summer break with our fellow solo travellers.
- Please note that as the hotel sits on a hillside, we would not recommend this holiday for people with walking difficulties.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's Included
Return flights & transfers-
Airport taxes & charges
Twin/double room for sole use with private facilities
Half Board: Daily breakfast & dinner
Welcome drink & information meeting
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully financially protected
What's extra:
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – €10 per night, payable locally (subject to change)
- Insurance see here
Kos
Kos
As is so often the origin of vibrant resorts, Kardamena began life as a sleepy fishing village with only a handful of tavernas. If only the original fishermen could see it now!
A multitude of shops, bars and restaurants have paved the way for a thriving and buzzing tourist resort. What has not changed, however, is the friendly welcome and genuine hospitality.
Lazy Days & Lively Nights
Our hotel is located within steps of an inviting sandy beach with crystal clear waters, for soaking up the rays. Alternatively, chill out beside the Olympic-sized hotel pool, using little more energy than is required for devouring a delicious Greek salad.
After a lazy day, it's easy to crank up the pace in the evening if that's your scene. Try a deliciously fruity concoction at the hotel's cosmopolitan cocktail bar, before enjoying the nightly hotel entertainment. The lively resort of Kardamena is only 2km away, where we'll find dozens more bars, pubs, cafés and nightclubs to choose from, playing music from the 1960s to the latest hits.
Plenty to explore
Predominantly flat and only 64km long, Kos is easily navigable for budding explorers. Jump on a bicycle and pedal around the coast, or take the leisurely option on an island tour or sailing trip. Out and about, there's plenty to do. A must-see is the island's capital - 'Kos Town' on the western coast.
Optional Excursions*
- Take a three island boat cruise
- Discover Kos on an island tour
- Visit the island of Nisyros
- Visit Bodrum in Turkey
- Enjoy a three bay cruise
- Kos Town shopping
- Sunset in Zia
Trip Reviews
Wonderful fellow guests
Back from Kos after a week at Aegean Village near Kardemena. Easy transfer from Kos Airport, great range of trips, especially 3 Island and Nisyros volcano. Wonderful fellow guests; a group of 20 soon got to know each other, helped by our excellent Tour Leader, Mark Atherton, who lined up the excursion booking and evenings out. Comfortable rooms with good food and a great range of restaurants in nearby Kardemema. I'll be booking with Solos again for next year.
Sunny Side Up with Solos
A group of 20 strangers assemble at a hotel in October. From all over the UK, filled with apprehension, they turn to Mark, the Solos Representative . He doesn't disappoint. With a smile and an easy manner, he knows each and every name. The group is put at ease. From then on, the sights, sounds and experiences of the hotel, the small town close by, the sea, the swimming pool, the food, are there to be enjoyed. It's serendipity. They all get on. So much so, there's a plan to meet again.
Lovely Solos holiday
Lovely Solos holiday in Kos . With a great T/L Mark Atherton who made everyone of our group of 20 feel welcome and he was always there for us, he introduced everyone to the group on the first night which I think made us all feel comfortable with each other , by the end of the week I feel I made lots of new friends. The hotel was lovely and having the beach just across the road was perfect . Hotel food was above average and both the trips I took the 3 Islands and the Sunset were fun. I would definitely recommend Solos.
Well organised
From arrival at Kos to departure back to the UK, the trip was well organised. Our holiday leader Mark Atherton was very professional and made each and everyone in our group feel relaxed and gave us all advice on the resort, encouraged all to participate. Mark was an excellent leader who was available to answer any queries, provide support etc.
Accommodation
Aegean Village Hotel Four-star
This popular hotel, on a hillside overlooking the sea, has bungalow-style rooms spread out across the grounds.
Facilities include
The hotel offers a vast selection of services and facilities including a buffet restaurant, lounge bar and TV lounge, free Wi-Fi access, mini-market, boutique, hairdresser, massage (at additional cost) a large outdoor swimming pool with sun terrace, an indoor pool, sauna, pool bar and snack bar. Activities include floodlit tennis, mini golf, a gym, billiards, water polo and beach volleyball. Watersports are available on the beach (at an extra charge). They do offer pool towels for a €10 deposit and €1 each towel change.
Room includes
All rooms have been refurbished and include satellite TV, a hairdryer, small fridge, telephone, air-conditioning, internet access, safe, free Wi-Fi and balcony or terrace.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Passport and visas
A full 10-year passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Greece Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Health requirements
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Greece
Transfer Time
Transfer time from Kos airport to hotel is approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Optional Excursions
You may wish to take an optional excursion during the course of your stay. Listed below are the tours which may be on offer to you depending on the season. Full details will be given at the Information Meeting. The prices quoted, are a guideline only, as these can vary, depending on numbers etc. All tours should be paid for in cash euros. The exact amount will be given at your Information Meeting. Your Tour Leader will help arrange these for you but may not necessarily accompany you. Optional excursions are subject to min passengers and are not exclusive to Solos clients.
NISYROS
Visit the beautiful island of Nisyros and step back in time to experience Greece as it was 40 years ago. Nisyros is a volcanic Greek island and municipality located in the Aegean Sea. It is part of the Dodecanese group of islands, situated between the islands of Kos and Tilos. This is your chance to walk across the vast crater floor. To experience the hissing sulphurous steam vents and the bubbling mud pools in a landscape resembling the moon. The boat will depart from the Kardamena harbour at 09.30 am, the journey across is approximately 50 minutes. Use this time to take some of your holiday photos. The view is amazing. As you head to Nisyros on your right you will come across YIALI. This means glass in Greek. It is the 3rd largest pumice mine in the world, run by La Farge, the French cement giant who pay Nisyros for the mining rights.
It is only inhabited by the workers of this company, at any given time between 10-15 people. Just as we pass Yiali we meet AGIOS ANTONIOS, a small uninhabited island with a beautiful beach. This island is not easily accessible. On your left you will see a small round island STRONGILI -meaning rounded in greek. As you will see it is only a small deserted island. Once we are in Nisyros, you will be escorted to the coaches for the volcano.
As you start your climb towards the crater, make sure you enjoy the view. The crater is approximately a 7km drive. It will take between 15/20 minutes to arrive. You will have about 35/40 minutes to spend in the crater before you are bought back to Mandraki where you started your trip. You will then have free time to enjoy Mandraki, have lunch or just wander the picturesque streets and enjoy the local culture. EUR 28.00
BODRUM Visiting turkey is easy. All you need is a passport or in some cases an identification card will suffice. You will need them when booking your trip so we can sort out your visas. PLEASE BRING THE IDENTIFICATION YOU USED TO BOOK YOUR TRIP WITH. You will not be allowed on the trip without it and your day is wasted and money cannot be refunded. The boat departs from Kos because we must pass through custom control as we are travelling to another country. The journey will take about 50 minutes. The currency in Turkey is Lira (TRY) and you will be able to exchange your euro for Lira when you disembark in Bodrum. Although you can use your own currency when shopping and eating but try not to bring Lira back because you cannot change it in the banks here. Market day is ONLY TUESDAY.
The market on Friday is a fruit and spices. You will find that the shops in town also offer very similar things as the market and the prices are usually the same as the markets. DON’T FORGET to HAGGLE….it’s fun and you get the price down!! Remember it’s not all about shopping. Bodrum formally known Halicarnassus has an interesting historical past. Visit the CASTLE OF ST.PETERS, which is in the harbour. The museum alone is worth the visit. Departure is usually 16.00 PLEASE CONFIRM and be back at boat 15 minutes earlier. EUR 40.00
3 ISLAND CRUISE
Join us on what is sure to be one of the most memorable and enjoyable days you will have on your holiday. Experience a day sailing the amazing Aegean. Visit 3 beautiful traditional Greek islands, swim and soak up the tan while doing so. Sponge island of Kalymnos. You will be mesmerized by the tiny coloured houses, arranged on the hillside, with life in the port bustling below. You will have the chance to see for yourselves how natural sponges are processed and learn the history and techniques of local sponge fishermen. The cruise starts from Kos harbour. Docking at the attractive harbour town of Pothia/Vathi (depending on day you choose), on the famous sponge island of Kalymnos, you will be mesmerized by the tiny coloured houses, arranged on the hillside, with life in the port bustling below.
You will have the chance to see for yourselves how natural sponges are processed and learn the history and techniques of local sponge fishermen. We then sail to the deserted island of Plati, where you can enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters, whilst lunch, your sumptuous BBQ is being prepared either on board or on the beach. Finally docking at the rocky island of Pserimos, where you can indulge on the long sandy shores gently shelving into the blue crystal sea or have a drink in one of the small, friendly traditional cafes. If you are lucky you may even encounter a pod of dolphins!!! Remember the order of stops can vary at the Captains discretion BUT you do visit 3 islands. The boats we use all have shaded areas, bar service and bathroom facilities. EUR 35.00
3 BAY CRUISE Cruise with us on the pirate ship, Maria Magdalini to Kefalos where you can leave the boat and enjoy an hour and a half of free time. Return to a Greek traditional BBQ before sailing to Kastri island for swimming, with an optional champange dive, from the boat. Then spend about 2 hours on Bubble Beach, reached by transfer in a flat bottomed speed boat, before the return trip to Kardamena. Maria Magdalini has 2 sun decks and a shaded cabin area. EUR 25.00
KOS TOWN SHOPPING Kos Town is big on heritage. We believe and highly recommend you should experience the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the island capital. Kos town is picturesque and interesting. Neatly arranged streets converge on small squares. In Kos you can enjoy a splendid combination of old and new. Tradition, history of thousands of years, natural beauties, historical monuments, an abundance of local shops, restaurants, cafeterias and archeological places of interest. The impressive Castle of Neratzia, built by the Knights Templar, which dominates the harbour front is bound to draw your attention. This castle is connected to the mainland by a bridge that crosses the palm Tree Avenue, the same one that connects the castle to Platanos.
The 1000 yr old plane tree that is said Hippocrates used to teach under. Around town you’ll also come across Archaeological museum, Ancient Town (now lined with small shops), Agora, Temple of Dionysus, Casa Romana, Odeum and Xisto (the remains of the largest gymnasium on Kos). Ask at bus depot about the small train services for around Kos and to and from the Asklipeon. EUR 10.00
SUNSET IN ZIA Discover local traditional local village by yourself. See the spectacular sunset from the highest mountain village of Zia, an evening away from your holiday resort. Choose from many traditional restaurant (tavernas), which the locals frequent regularly, many quite different with distinct cuisine and local wine. Enjoy a traditional meze style meal, just as the locals do, a table of various dishes. You will have plenty of time to stroll around its many tasteful little craft shops. Lace, hand woven crafts and handmade ceramics are just a few of the many souvenirs you’ll find. EUR 15.00
Currency
Euro
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €25.00 per week.
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
Dress Code
Casual, cotton, lightweight daytime wear is the order of the day. Comfortable shoes are a must for sightseeing. Smart casual clothes will be ideal for the evening, with the emphasis throughout being informal but with NO VESTS OR SHORTS (LONG TROUSERS ONLY) in the restaurants in the evenings. Early and late season evenings can be cool so do ensure that you take a cardigan or jacket and even some rainwear – particularly in May and June when you may experience some spring thunderstorms followed by scorching days!
A beach towel can be hired from the hotel at a cost of €3 per week and can be changed daily (a further returnable €15 deposit will be required at the start of the week).
