DESTINATIONS GREECE & CYPRUS | SPORADES
Rigas Hotel
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Skopelos Old Town; Koukounaries beach, Skiathos; Atrium Hotel, Skiathos PICTURES: Shutterstock
WHERE TO STAY
SKIATHOS Atrium Hotel Built on a pine-covered hillside, this chic family-run hotel offers wraparound vistas of the Aegean. The 75 modern rooms are decorated in earthy tones and there are two lifts (which is a rarity on Skiathos).
Skiathos Princess Resort Set right on the beach, this low-rise luxurious hotel has a spa, kids’ club, gym, three restaurants and two pools. Guests can use the facilities at sister property Aegean Suites.
SKOPELOS Skopelos Village Hotel Rooms at this family-run hotel are bright and homely, with furnishings in warm pastel tones. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan stayed here while filming Mamma Mia!
Rigas Hotel A short walk from town, this charming hotel has grounds ringed by blooming gardens. Rooms are decorated in traditional style, with arch-ceilinged balconies or verandas.
ALONISSOS 4 Epoches Hotel Located in a little port town in the northeast, this small, 22-room family hotel is close to a couple of beaches and tavernas, including the owner’s grandma’s restaurant, Tassia’s Cooking.
Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel Ultra-luxe and secluded, with two private beaches, this large hotel has a lot of steps so is best for very fit clients.
72 9 JANUARY 2020
This is the only ‘active’ monastery on Skiathos, and it sells its own wine, honey and oil. Entry is free but there’s a €3 fee for the museum. Clients can settle in for the most romantic of sunsets at Agia Eleni beach, or venture farther north to Krifi Ammos (aka Hidden Beach) for seclusion and crystal-clear waters. The beaches towards the north (Mandraki, Elias, Agistros and Megalos Aselinos) are less crowded, but visitors will either need a jeep or quad bike to get there, or be up for a long walk. The more touristy beaches located towards the south, such as Koukounaries or Kanapitsa, offer a wide variety of watersports. Play: Clients can paint the town red in buzzy Skiathos: there are clubs and bars to suit every taste, and they are open and ready to serve from early afternoon. “We call it the Mykonos of the northern Sporades,” says Jane, Olympic’s Skiathos rep.
SKOPELOS The Mamma Mia! effect is still in full swing on Skopelos, the largest of the Sporades group. Since filming ended in 2007, fans have been flocking to see the sites. Even so, there’s a laid-back vibe, which means it’s quieter than Skiathos. Pause: Arriving on Skopelos, visitors will be struck by whitewashed houses with red-tiled roofs. In the steep
The Mamma Mia! effect is still
in full swing on Skopelos. Since filming ended in 2007, fans have been flocking to see the sites
tiny streets of Skopelos Town they’ll find up to 140 religious buildings – Skopelians were fishermen and families frequented these to pray for their safe return. Clients can relax at Cafe Bar Thalassa, tucked away by the town and perched above the sea. The views are great and so are the drinks. Platonos Square is good for souvlaki and gyros (Greek kebabs) – and no one should leave without trying the local cheese pie! Beach lovers need to venture further from the port and the town if they want to find the best stretches of sand and sea. The western side has the most beautiful beaches, such as Panormos. It's great for families because the water isn’t too deep, and there are tavernas right on the beach. The white sands of Limnonari beach are hidden in a cove, while the Mamma Mia! beach of Kastani looks like it could have come straight off a postcard. Play: Clients can dabble in watersports (stand- up paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking and
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