SAMOS sits close to the Turkish coastline, a large, long and mountainous island that was once one of Greece's wealthiest and full of architectural wonders from the ancient world.
Unfortunately, much of Samos' heritage has fallen foul of hotel builders and cement mixers. In the more popular resorts such as Pythagorion and Kokkari, ready-mix cement has permanently paved Samos' glorious past. In others, rough Greek edges are polished smooth and to some Samos will seem more holiday village than Greek village - a meek holiday retreat for the middle-aged.
But it's not all bad. Samos has something for everyone, from big beach hotels to rustic hill villages. It has miles of sand, towering mountains, singular scenery, very attractive coves and lush woods.
Samos is a big island and roads can be wearily long, winding and tiring. Luxury hotel seekers will head south and east while the adventurous take to the west and north.
Samos is renowned for its spectacular scenery, stunning sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Holidays to the Greek Islands are often most cherished for this combination of sunshine, warm waters and beaches.
Nature was kind to Samos and gave the island a dramatic and highly indented coastline that is perforated with long, sandy beaches and small shingle coves.Inland Samos has abundant springs and two magnificent mountain ranges encircled by gentle rolling hills. Samos is so attractive in places it's hard to believe it wasn't deliberately planted, pruned and preened by some landscape artist.Samos was once home to some spectacular sights, including a marble paved road lined with 2,000 statues and a temple to rival the Parthenon, but bulldozers have left precious little in their wake.Where Samos island's heritage hasn't been buried it has been polished and prettified but rarely enhanced, with an often misguided swathe of civic 'improvements'.
Regular summer charters fly to Samos International, near Pythagorio. and there are domestic flights from Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Santorini.
Ferries sail from Samos Town, Karlovassi Pythagorio with regular services to Athens and the Cyclades and links to Rhodes, Lesvos and Thessaloniki.
There are good bus services between the main resorts but Samos is a big island and you will probably need a car.
Beaches are widely spread around the long Samos coastline. There are a clutch of popular along the north coast near Samos town and long beaches can be found on the south coast near Pythagorio.
Some attractive beaches are found at the head of small west coast coves while the east has little to offer except the emerging resorts around Votsalkia.
The north-west coast is wild and remote and attracts only the very adventurous.
Samos is the eighth biggest Greek island at 478 sq km and is found in the north Aegean sea very close to the Turkish coast.
Samos is about 43km by 13km with a coastline of 159km. There are two mountain ranges rising to 1,1450m and many large vineyards.
About 34,000 people live on Samos which has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The northerly 'meltemi' winds are at their strongest in July and August.
