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07|07|08 +++ FBC FAMILY HOLIDAY STORY

Island hopping in Greece with the family

After we have spent the last 10 family holidays in Sardinia, this year it was my turn to choose the destination and we went to the beautiful Greek islands Kos and Samos!
The fact that we didn't have to face a long-distance drive with all surfboards on the roof and bikes in the rear was very comfortable. We only brought one bike and were totally relaxed when we entered the plane to Kos in Munich.
After only 2 1/2 hours – a distance you can easily survive even with two small children - we arrived on the island of Kos. It took only half an hour until we had claimed our luggage and Spiros from FBC Kos was already waiting for us at the airport. After less than 30 minute's drive we arrived at Oceanis Beach hotel. We were welcomed very friendly and our room directly on the beach near the center was really great and big enough for all four of us.

We were even provided with a cot and a baby phone. After a long breakfast on the beautiful terrace overlooking the sea we went to explore the centre and the spot. The Hungarian windsurfing instructor Peter was already expecting us and gave us the latest wind forecast.
The centre is equipped with the finest and latest Fanatic boards and North Sails sails so that there is no need to bring your own equipment. After an initial calm we had absolutely great wind days and could do a lot of windsurfing. We were really enjoying ourselves in the side shore wind from the left and a little swell further outside. Afterwards the surfers usually meet in the Surfersbar next to the centre, where you can enjoy a few drinks and have some snacks.
This was my husband's favourite place, as he hates lying on the beach and the bar offers apart from delicious cappuccino also wireless LAN!
The kids also had a great time and Marie is still crazy about the trampoline at the playground located directly behind the centre.
We had booked only breakfast as we like to go out for dinner from time to time. The hotel's restaurants are very good and the prices are reasonable. The Greek restaurant was our favourite.
One time we went to Kos City for dinner, which is only a 15 minute's drive by public bus. We went to Pertino restaurant – delicious, however, quite expensive.
The FBC centre also offers mountain bike rental – a great alternative on windless days. One day I just went up the hills behind the centre and after a few dead ends I reached a beautiful mountain path with a perfect view as far as Turkey.
We also rented a car for one day to discover the island, as we haven't gone further than Kos City so far.

We went over the mountains to Zia past the airport to Kefalos – however, in the end Psalidi was our favourite place. Originally we had planned to travel on to Samos after one week, however, we extended our stay for a couple of days, as we enjoyed it here so much.

After 10 days we took the hydrofoil ferry "Flying Dolphin" to Samos. As father and children slept through the 3 1/2 hours crossing despite the strong wind, it was quite peaceful.
Giorgios, the centre manager from FBC Samos, came to pick us up at the harbour just when I was changing Luis' nappy on top of one of our bags: He started to laugh and told me that it looks quite familiar to him. He is a proud dad of 3 lovely children – Roxani, the youngest, is only 2 moths old.
Already the drive from the harbour to Kokkari was beautiful and we were immediately enchanted by the lush green vegetation and the mountains. For us, Samos looked like a green oasis. After half an hour's drive we reached our hotel Arion, which is located above the FBC centre with a perfect view to the bay of Kokkari. At first we felt a bit out of place with our children, as most of the guests were hikers aged 60 and older. The reason for this was apparently the season, during summer there are much more families. Via a trail, which we could also handle with a buggy, you can reach the centre in 5 minutes.

There, we spent most of the day, as Giorgios and his team has taken care of everything. Besides top equipment from Fanatic and North Sails, the centre offers a large lawn with sunbeds and umbrellas, a playground, toilets, changing facilities and cool drinks.
Behind the wind-protected area at the beginning, you will have side shore wind from the left further out and you can even surf some swell on your way back. The most impressive thing for me was the panorama when you surf back to the centre with the mountains in the background. Daniel was very happy with the various possibilities for mountain bikers on Samos. On day he wanted to reach the peak of Mt. Kerketeus by bike and started around noon. After a great panorama, 1400 meters difference in altitude and 48 km he came back in the late afternoon completely excited. We often stayed at the beach until 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., because the atmosphere was so great. We had booked half board at the hotel, however, you shouldn't miss the barbecue at the centre.
Around midday we sometimes walked to Kokkari (only 5 to 10 minutes away) and had something to eat in a nice beach bar.
When we flew back from Samos to Munich we knew that it was not the last time we had been there!