7375 Greece 2019 Skiathos.qxp 25/11/2018 04:58 Page 156 Greece | Sporades islands | Skiathos Skiathos Skiathos has a veneer of elegance and sophistication unusual for a small Greek island. Very compact (only eight miles long) it is thickly forested and almost unrealistically pretty. Along its undulating coastline hide over fifty beaches, almost all sandy. (A pebble kastro lalaria beach on Skiathos is so rare that they offer boat excursions to the one at lalaria!). Those along the southern coast are linked with the town by a Asselinos SKIATHOS frequent, if crowded, bus service. TOWN Whichever beach you choose, the v Mega S o S swimming is first rate and the sea Ammos iS T n o lo Sk A crystal-clear. Achladies opeloS & koukounaries S Skiathos town is very attractive. A kolios o Trulos l o V o jumble of red-roofed houses and Ag. paraskevi T climbing stone-paved streets cover the kanapitsa rocky arms of the small harbour. During the day the town can appear rather sleepy, but in the evenings the waterfront hums Were we to design the perfect ‘holiday’ with life and a daunting array of island, we would be surprised if the restaurants confronts one. nightlife could finished product did not look suspiciously mean a quiet café, a lively bar or an up-to- like Skiathos. This small isle really does the minute music club – whatever your seem to have everything – beaches, lush taste, Skiathos can accommodate it. scenery, a pretty port, good (but Fast, efficient catamarans and ferryboats unobtrusive) nightlife, and plenty to do link Skiathos with Skopelos and Alonissos should you so wish. making two-centre holidays simple. Understandably, Skiathos is very popular, excursions available include a good and gets particularly busy in the high selection of boat trips. season. SKIATHOS INfOrmATION Getting to Skiathos Friday flight Gatwick or Manchester to Skiathos (note: Gatwick inbound flight via Volos, Manchester inbound flight via Kavala). Regional flights also available from Stansted, Newcastle, East Midlands and Birmingham - prices on request. Then 10-30 mins by taxi. For flight details see page 267. multi-Centre Options With Skopelos & Alonissos. For multicentre detaiIs see page 8. Car Hire See page 268-9 for details. representative Based in Skiathos Town. Monastery of Evangelistria 156 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7375 Greece 2019 Skiathos.qxp 25/11/2018 04:58 Page 157 Greece | Sporades islands | Skiathos Aegean Suites Megali Ammos The Aegean Suites offer high standards of (king size bed) and all the mod cons you should comfort and personal service a 15 minute walk expect. from Skiathos Town (20 from the harbour) and At the lowest level is the swimming pool, pool just across the road from Megali Ammos beach. bar and a la carte restaurant (room service is The 22 suites here are built up the hillside. Junior available) and the hotel has a small fitness room. Suites measure 40 sq m and have an open plan Massage treatments can be booked at living area and garden terrace; Standards are reception. similar but even more spacious at 60 sq m.; There is a complimentary daily transfer service to Deluxe have a bedroom and separate living their larger sister hotel, the Skiathos princess, for room with sea view balcony (some over the roof guests who would like some time on famous of lower level suites); Charming Suites (open Aghia paraskevi beach or to sample the spa plan with garden view) are very romantic and facilities there. have good terrace privacy with a hot please note that the hotel does not accept tub/jacuzzi, as does the Heaven Suite (two children under 16 years of age. Due to the steps rooms with sea view) on the upper level; and within the hotel a stay here would not be there is one 80 sq m two bedroom/two suitable for anyone with mobility problems. bathroom suite at the top. Whichever you choose, all are spacious and most elegantly furnished, with luxury bedding early Booking offer Reductions apply for bookings made before 28/2. please note that 50% of the hotel cost must be paid at the time of booking for the offer to apply (quoted on request - non-refundable). The Suites: 5 Star Boutique Hotel Bed & Breakfast Swimming pool Air Conditioning Free WiFi Adults only Skiathos Town 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece & Cyprus | 157 7375 Greece 2019 Skiathos.qxp 25/11/2018 04:58 Page 158 Greece | Sporades islands | Skiathos Magdalena Studios Aghia paraskevi Magdalena is in country The excellent beaches of kolios and surroundings between the coast Aghia paraskevi (also called road and the sea within a short walk platanias) - both sandy and long of two fine sandy beaches. with a taverna or two and water Surrounded by lawns and beautiful sports usually available from gardens, the eight studios are on paraskevi – can be reached in an two floors. All are simply furnished approximate five minute walk via in pine. each possesses twin beds, the road. air conditioning, a kitchenette with Sweet old-style Greek light cooking facilities (rings and accommodation in an excellent fridge), safety deposit box (free), a location. tiled shower room and a covered Air Conditioning: Available, if required, balcony or terrace. ours are to the at a local charge of €6 per day. front and those on the top floor have some sea or side sea views, those on the ground floor overlook the pretty gardens. next door there is a swimming pool, which Magdalena guests are early Booking offer Up to £100 off per apartment per welcome to use free of charge, and week (max discount £200) for accompanying low-key pool bar bookings made by 31/1. Conditions (free Wifi here). You will find a mini- apply - see page 249. market just a few minutes' walk away along the main road (note: can be busy in high season), as is the bus stop for town and other beaches, and a reasonable choice of The Studios: Self Catering local tavernas within five minutes. Studios for 2 Air Conditioning Use of Swimming pool Free WiFi Kolios Beach Galini Apartments Megali Ammos These smart, modern and spacious The swimming pool measures 10m apartments offer high standards and x 5m and is quiet with lovely good views. They enjoy very quiet country and sea views from its rural surroundings a short 10 furnished terrace. WiFi is available minute walk from the beach and 25 free of charge here. minutes from Skiathos Town, which The apartments are accessed via a can also be easily reached by bus. narrow country lane 450m (c 7 our units here are maisonette-style mins. walk) from the main road. and provide top quality Here you will find a choice of mini- accommodation. They are open- markets, tavernas, access to the plan with a ground floor living beach of Megali Ammos, and the room/kitchen and a double-bedded bus stop for town and a wide sleeping gallery above. The ground choice of alternative beaches (very floor has twin beds plus a single good service). please note the final sofa-bed. The interiors have stylish 100m or so is an uphill walk. contemporary furnishings and decor, and facilities include air- conditioning, a large walk-in early Booking offer shower, a kitchen area (2 rings and Up to £100 off per apartment per fridge), and Sat TV (BBC World). each week (max discount £200) for has a ground floor terrace by the bookings made by 31/1. Conditions entrance and a good-sized open apply - see page 267. upper balcony with sun umbrella and good views to the sea. Between the maisonettes is a twin The Self Catering bedded studio for 2. it has the same Apartments: Studio for 2 facilities and high standard of Maisonettes for fixtures and furnishing as the 2/5 maisonettes, and lovely views over Air Conditioning the green hills and valley down to Swimming pool the sea from its terrace. Free WiFi 158 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7375 Greece 2019 Skiathos.qxp 25/11/2018 04:58 Page 159 Greece | Sporades islands | Skiathos elivi Hotel koukounaries Elivi Grace Beachfront Junior Suite Spread over 200 acres of pine- nearby Grace Suites have sea views wooded headland on Skiathos’ as they are directly behind south western peninsula, the Ambelakia beach - some have island's newest 5-star hotel is private pool. nest Rooms and Suites designed to blend in are housed in 2-storey buildings of 4 sympathetically with its natural rooms each, again some with pool, surroundings. The elivi occupies a some with hot tub. Rooms of simply unbeatable location for course have all the modern facilities beach lovers as it has direct access and comfort you'd expect - see our to four of the most famous golden- website for room descriptions. sand beaches on the island - please note that children under 12 koukounaries, Ambelakia, Banana are not accepted at Xenia and and little Banana (part naturist). Grace. The hotel has three residential areas, A stay at elivi can be as relaxed as each with its own style. To the east you desire. Three restaurants and six is the elivi Xenia Hotel and elivi bars (including beach bars) are Grace Suites. The Xenia houses the available to guests. For more activity main reception, lobby bar, there is a tennis court, gym and the restaurant and spa. There is a shared area is good for walking. Water outdoor pool. The elivi nest is over sports are available. Skiathos Town the headland behind Banana beach is only 12 kms away and you can and has its own pool and restaurant.