


Kastellorizo is an interesting place. (It is easier to refer to the island by it's Turkish name of "Meis.") Meis is an expensive trip per kilometer from Kas (1,000,000 Turkish Lira round trip by boat -- it's easy to be a millionaire in Turkey) but in many ways worth it. Because the island is Greek, by visiting it you leave Turkey -- thus must pay a visa fee to go back. (If your nationality is subjected to one.) And you have no choice but to go back -- you can come to Meis from the rest of Greece, then continue on to Turkey, but you cannot arrive on Meis from Turkey, then go on to the rest of Greece. (Except in emergencies.) The island's ownership is still disputed, largely because it is just 2½ kilometers from the Turkish coast and more than 100 from Rhodes, it's nearest Greek neighbor. A very tranquil place (one hotel plus some pensions) Meis sees few visitors. Locals say there was a large number of Italians after the release of Mediterraneo but they are rare now. Some guidebooks say you cannot stay overnight on Meis if you are coming from Turkey, but when we visited (offseason) the rule was easily broken.
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