DODECANESE

Nisyros

Martian Risk: mid-day excursionists from Kos visiting volcano; otherwise nil.

An impressive crater with bubbling fumaroles is the island's centre and the attraction which brings visitors over for a few hours from neighbouring Kos. Its rim has two picturesque villages: Nikia, atmospheric and brilliantly white, has remained loved and inhabited for ever, but Emborios a few years ago was a mixture of ruins and rubble. It no longer is: EU and private money is transforming it into an up-market hide-away in a gorgeous hill top village, with two restaurants open already in the main square and many beautifully refurbished houses enjoying a staggering panorama across to Kos and the Turkish coast

The capital and port, Mandraki, is a patchwork of alleyways fanning out from the tiny square where you almost stoop because of the giant oleanders which shade the taverna tables below. Overhanging Mandraki are a monastery, a ruined Crusader castle and, even higher with fabulous views, the ruins of a pre-classical acropolis, with Cyclopean walls. The long town beach is pebbly, but there are sandy beaches along the north coast, notably at Pali. Fertile terrain slopes from crater-rim to the sea all round the island, giving some good walking with panoramas across to Tilos. A singularly unspoilt island.

Nisyros: view over the capital, Mandraki

Nisyros: the village of Pali, with Kos in the distance

Nisyros: town hall

Nisyros: street in the resurgent hill top village of Emborio

Nisyros: what more could you want?

Nisyros: the crater from Nikia village

Nisyros: the circular square of Nikia

Nisyros: night time under the trees in Mandraki