We have chosen the second half of August for our vacation as we believe it to be the most beautiful one of the entire summer. Everything becomes sweet, tranquil, a sense of preparation for the forthcoming autumn. The summer in Kos has colours and aromas that characterize the Greek islands at this period. The weather is very warm, the sea with a temperature of approx. 25-27ο C, transparent, blue with clarity, joining the blue shades of the sky. We prefer the beach at the Atlantis Hotel for swimming because we feel safe with the distances kept between the sun beds and the spaciousness front of the sea. Under the natural shade of the trees, with the care of the staff who keeps all the safety rules, the serenity of the environment, we feel the calm we need to properly rest. The kids draw with pebbles in the sand and unfold sea stories with mermaids, seahorses, boats, and brave fishermen.
  Every day we plan our next excursion to the island of Kos. Of course we keep some days for relaxation in the hotel. The head of our agency proposed interesting options such as excursion to the natural park of Zia till the sunset. We’re curious about the indigenous plants and animals - chickens, geese and ducks, donkeys, sheep and goats, turtles, rabbits, hedgehogs and peacocks – that can be found in this retreat. Children are very enthusiastic with the idea. We also plan a day trip to the volcanic island of Nisyros that is very close to Kos. Another day is dedicated to the father of Medicine, Hippocrates. We will visit the museum, the botanical garden, we’ll learn about his practices. Alan is a doctor and he feels high respect for the Oath of Hippocrates. The hotel offers a scheduled bus for free, for the guests to visit the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos http://hippocraticfoundation.org/.We’ve read that the Koullias Hotels sponsors the development and maintenance of the famous Hippocrates botanical garden. It aims to share the inspiration, knowledge, values and approach of Hippocrates, “Father of Western Medicine” on health and well-being for over 2.500 years. Tomorrow we plan and adventure that offers adrenaline and thrills for the whole family, the Lido Water Park, http://www.lidowaterpark.com/gr. With a variety of adventure slides, pools and water features, it is one of the largest water parks in Greece and one of the most modern in Europe.
 After dinner, we end up at the beach for a romantic atmosphere under the stars. At the beach bar of the Atlantis Hotel, a glass of local wine is what we love. In each place, we seek to get to know the indigenous varieties and wine proposals, which is the cultural wealth of the place. Wine production in Kos has roots in ancient times. Traditionally, its vineyards were located mainly in the middle of the island in the northern slopes of the mountain Dikaio. The cultivation of vineyards on the island of Kos has a history of thousands of years. The famous Kos wine is known for over 4000 years. Hippocrates used wine for healing and suggested to drink strong dark wine. He considered it part of a healthy diet, an aid in wound healing, an ideal means of mixing with drugs for their better intake by the patient, while he suggested it for the treatment of many unpleasant conditions. Modern wineries at Kos are Hatziemmanouil vineyards and Triantafyllopoulou winery https://koswinery.gr/.
  The grapes’ harvest is taking place from the beginning of August until the middle of September. They are collected by hand and always early in the morning. Vineyards in Kos are planted with the Greek varieties Athiri, Assyrtiko, Malagouzia, and the international ones: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Grenache Rouge, Syrah, Tempranillo. We try a different wine every time but Athiri and Assyrtiko are the favourite ones, so we will take some bottles with us when we return home. We will prepare a Greek salad and side dishes of Greek flavour to remember our beautiful vacation in Atlantis.
  The children are fond of the traditional soft drink of Kos. It is called “Kanellada” (cinnamon drink) and is an extract of cinnamon bark with sugar. Frozen is cool and sweet, a different choice than usual and much better. We will learn to make it home when we return. We asked for the recipe at the hotel reception and it was very willingly given to us by the head of the public relations department.
 Υes, COVID-19 has changed our lives, it frightens us and it has shortened our limits. We decided to commit to the vacation we had earlier planned for the beautiful island of Kos. We are happy because we feel safe, all protocols are implemented, they help us with information on everything and we do beautiful excursions safely, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV4k_ue7R0Q (ATLANTIS COVID-19 Policy & Prevention measures-Action Plan). Kids succeeded to convince us and here we are at the Atlantis hotel. We already plan the next trip to Kos in 2021, at the Grand Blue Hotel of the Koullias Hotels chain for new activities and experiences.
 
Written by Anda Karayanni, Praxis Plus