Taking a break on a Greek island isn’t necessarily all about flopping about on the beach, as Ross McCarthy found out.

The easy option, if you chose a Greek island as a holiday destination, is to sit on one of its sandy beaches and just spend your days lazing in the sun while contemplating the natural beauty around you.

And Kos offers a wide choice of spots where you could sit on a lounger while gazing out at the gently rippling Aegean sea including the Lakitira Beach Resort on its southern coast, set in four acres of flower filled gardens.

But if you fancy doing more than topping up your tan, then Lakitira also offers its guests plenty of sporting opportunities and, in my case, the chance to renew my enthusiasm for a sport I had abandoned many years ago.

I had been a member of a tennis club in Sutton Coldfield but, mainly due to a nagging foot problem, I stopped playing.

I came to this Mark Warner resort, which has 10 courts, eight hard and two carpet based, five years ago but my attempt to reacquaint myself with the game was thwarted by a pulled muscle.

Now back at the same location I decided to have another go, practising some serving on my own before persuading one of my fellow journalists to hit with me.

The results were not miraculous although mitigating factors included the sun, a high bouncing court and a blustery wind.

Some balls, returned in a soggy condition, did find their way into a neighbouring swimming pool but, nevertheless, others were occasionally finding their way on to the middle of the racket and the odd rally did take place.

More practice ought to lead to improvement, although Andy Murray should not worry just yet about a challenge to his position as British number one.

I was also given a little advice by one of the several coaches who offer individual and group lessons and organise social tennis, tournaments and clinics while there are normally always courts available if you just want to knock up.

The other main activity on offer is watersports and the resort has a team of qualified staff who offer tuition in sailing, wind surfing, sea kayaking and paddle boarding.

I listened in as instructions were given to a beginners sailing class.

Key pointers included making sure to look around you, where to sit in the boat and how to tack, an essential piece of advice or you might end up going in the same direction and ending up in Turkey.

There is a large expanse of ocean to set off in while wearing a helmet is probably a good idea to avoid any nasty accidents with the boom. Helmets are also provided if you want to explore the surrounding countryside by bicycle.

Tours range from the “easy” six mile to the “challenging” 20 mile, accompanied by the guide Chadders.

I and my companions embarked on a mid-range route which alternated from road to sandy track as we made a steady climb.

We then started on the down-hill run but, alas, a pot-hole filled road proved my undoing and lead to a trip to the local medical centre for stitches to be put into wounds.

Such are the perils of outdoor pursuits.

On three days of the week there is an organised five-a-side on an astro-turf pitch while snorkling, diving, aerobics, volley-ball and aqua-fit are also on the menu.

There are more relaxing ways to pass the time and Lakatira has a spa centre where spa-therapists offer a range of treatments including massages, aroma stone therapy, waxing, beauty maintenance and hair dressing.

I was more than happy that, after my little accident on the bike, I had booked a full body massage to soothe the aches and pains away with the masseuse applying fragrant oils to my somewhat battered body as I lay on the treatment table with some mood music playing in the background.

And, of course, sitting by one of the resort’s two pools is another option while there are plenty of loungers and sun umbrellas by the sea if you prefer to feel the sand between your toes and watch the sea traffic.

For accommodation you can choose from three options. I had a perfectly comfortable room with a balcony and sea view, although if you want a little more luxury, just a short walk away, is the Helona Hotel where some of the rooms have their own swimming pools.

The resort is very family and children friendly with Mark Warner being one of the biggest employers of nannies in the UK, and there are plenty of activities for the kids – who have their own separate beach – to try out such as learning tennis and sailing.

Various bars are dotted around and there are numerous choices for eating including the main dining area offering a buffet breakfast and dinner, a Trattoria, the Breeze Snack Bar and a Greek restaurant which has themed fish nights.

In-house entertainment is laid on including an all-singing show spectacular and a karaoke night while if you want to go further afield a 10 minute taxi ride will take you to Kardamena, with its many bars and clubs where we dined beneath the stars at the Avila restaurant and enjoyed a mouth watering selection of Greek delights such as rice-filled vine leaves, hummous, cheese-filled mushrooms, aubergine topped with meat and cheese, kalamari, snapper, moussaka along with a selection of desserts.

Those wishing to explore the island itself, which covers an area of about 290 square kilometres and which has hot springs near the sea, can take a guided tour, a coach picking you up from your hotel.

The first stop is Kos town which suffered serious earthquake damage in 1933 and where you can find the Plane Tree of Hippocrates along with a mixture of architectural styles, Venetian, Arabic and Greek, some mediaeval ruins, the remains of a Roman bath and plenty of cats roaming the streets.

Hippocrates, who was born on Kos, considered wine to be a medicine for humans so it was only right that our next stop was at a winery where our group sampled some of the local product.

Our tour also took us into the hills, the most verdant part of the island due to underground springs, where we walked around the village of Zia with its little ornate church and souvenir shops selling local products including a feta-like cheese in red wine and a cinnamon syrup drink.

Another excursion possibility is taking a sea cruise from Kos town.

We boarded a motorised yacht which visited three islands and had the chance to swim off the side and then had a lunch of barbecued pork with salad and Tzatziki while moored near Plati, now deserted, but which was once inhabited by a couple who built a house and church there.

Kalimos, was our next port-of-call, where we all squeezed into a shop selling sponges collected by local divers and finally, before returning to Kos, we weighed anchor at Pserimus, a small island, where there was another chance to bathe in the Aegean.

Travel Facts

Prices for a week at Lakitira Beach Resort in 2013 start from £929 per adult and £829 per child.

The price includes return flights from either Heathrow or Manchester, seven nights on a half board basis and various activities.

Mark Warner www.markwarner.co.uk 0844 2736796.

Ross McCarthy travelled courtesy of Mark Warner.