100% customisable travel idea
The Sporades in the summer Swimming, pine forests and Byzantine heritage
Greece - Sporades - Skopelos - Alonissos - Skiathos
Ubiquitous beauty
Your trip
A direct flight to Skiathos, then a few short hops from island to island by boat: that's basically the logistics involved in getting to the area. Once there, you synchronise with the pace of life and take your time: five days on each of the most unspoilt islands, and just one on the most popular with visitors. A rental car is available so you can explore on your own. Admire the lush green landscapes, charming monasteries and ornate little chapels; marvel at the crystal-clear water, the bustling little fishing ports, the beachfront tavernas and the Greeks, who are so attached to their gentle way of life. The beauty of the panoramas extends to your accommodation. These have been selected for their comfort and conviviality, but also for their central and slightly elevated location, which allows you to always take in the bay and the Aegean Sea. The highlight of the trip: in Skopelos, we have included a private sunset cruise in your itinerary so that you can enjoy a variety of perspectives and appreciate the changing light. Finally, if you change your mind or something unexpected happens, you will have the contact details of our on-site concierge, who is available to advise you at any time.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer to the port of Skiathos, then crossing to Skopelos. Once on the island, pick up your rental car and take the short drive to the hotel where you will be staying for five nights. This is a contemporary, comfortable and well-located establishment (on the heights but very close to the town centre and the port), ideal for exploring the area. Here you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxed and friendly atmosphere as well as a delicious panoramic view of the bay. After a light lunch at the pool bar, you’ll take some time to relax in the coolness of your room or on a sun lounger in the shade by the pool, where the landscape unfolds before you. Then, feeling refreshed, you may decide to take a dip in the pool before setting off to explore the town centre (chora) on foot.
Between the island of Euboea and central Greece lies Skopelos, the island of 300 churches and monasteries. It is hilly and covered with dense vegetation, with a beautifully indented coastline and dozens of beaches. The large village is home to three-quarters of the island's population and still bears traces of Venetian influence. A stay on the island combines seaside tourism, visits to Byzantine heritage sites and sampling the local cuisine, which combines seafood and traditional Greek dishes to delight the taste buds.
See and do in and around Chora, Skopelos - Visit the Venetian castle (Kastro), Panagia Church and the Folklore Museum; take the monastery tour, which is a well-marked four-mile (seven kilometres) trail linking the main historic monasteries clinging to the slopes of Mount Palouki; laze around on the beaches of Panormos, Agnontas, Stafilos, Limnonari, Kastani, etc.; head to the village of Glossa, then climb up to the small chapel of Agios Ioannis Kastri, perched atop a spectacular 100-metre rocky outcrop, which served as the setting for the wedding scene in Mamma Mia!; try the rozedes (walnut-based cakes) and cheese pastries.
Already planned - Private sunset cruise. During this sea trip, you’ll sail along the steep cliffs that contrast with the long sandy beaches and green landscapes in search of the ideal viewpoint to admire the setting sun. A beautiful way to get a different perspective on Skopelos.
Drive to the port of Skopelos, return the rental car and then cross over to the island of Alonissos. Upon arrival at the port of Votsi, pick up your new rental car and stay for five nights slightly above the coastal village overlooking the bay and with beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. But don't worry, it’s still close to the port, amenities and good restaurants. Your fully equipped studio allows you to stay independently, but if you feel peckish after a few laps in the pool or a morning of exploring, the establishment also offers a snack service. The staff are attentive and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Alonissos is the most remote inhabited island from the mainland, the least urbanised and, logically, the most unspoilt. While the capital, Patitiri, is not particularly picturesque, the old village of Palia Alonissos (or “Hora”, “Chora” again) exudes charm with its stone houses adorned with bougainvillea and colourful narrow streets. Alonissos is also covered and surrounded by one of the largest marine national parks in Europe. With a bit of luck, you may spot various species of dolphins, the last monk seals in the Aegean (among the most endangered marine mammals) and turtles, for example. Its waters are renowned for their purity and ecological richness, while the beaches and the first few metres of the seabed are strewn with small white pebbles that accentuate the clarity and contribute to the turquoise colour of the water. It is a paradise for snorkelling and scuba diving.
See and do on the island of Alonissos - Stroll through the old village, which comes alive at dusk with traditional restaurants filling the narrow streets with delicious aromas; try tuna or savoury pies called trahonopita; take a cruise around the small islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Piperi) belonging to the protected marine area; visit the marine national park by boat; hike along the island's easy trails along the coast or inland to combine the wooded interior with the coastline; marvel at the lush nature and then discover deserted coves with translucent, calm waters where you can snorkel, picnic or simply let yourself be lulled by the steady rhythm of the lapping waves until you fall peacefully asleep in the open air...
Optional - Introduction to scuba diving.
Not to be missed - The best beaches on Alonissos. Each beach on Alonissos has its own personality. First there is Agios Dimitrios, in the north-east of the island. It is accessible by car and is literally a ‘tongue’ of sand, as per its original shape. Turquoise waters lap at its combination of sand and pebbles. Be careful if you take a dip, as the currents can sometimes be too strong. Still on the eastern side but further south, Leftos Gialos is livelier. And with good reason as a string of taverns await holidaymakers in the shade. After putting on your water shoes, you can dash across the pebbles for a swim. A little further down, Kokkinokastro impresses with its huge ochre cliffs and deeper waters. It also hides a secret: an underwater archaeological site concealed beneath the surface nearby. Finally, right next door, the quieter Chrisi Milia is popular with families, and the pine trees close to the shore also seem to want to dip their feet in the water. You’ll be glad they're there provide welcome shade.
Also not to be missed - The best hikes on the island. Alonissos is blessed with abundant nature and offers several walking options for enthusiasts, starting with the walk between the port of Patitiri and Chora. This is the most popular route, and for good reason: along the way and at its peak, it reveals magnificent panoramic views of the sea. We recommend setting out on this circuit at the end of the day in order to reach Chora as the sun sets on the horizon. Another pleasant walk is the one between Chora and the monastery of Ayii Anargyrii. Beyond the pretty setting (a landscape dotted with small islands), the path crosses a pine forest and, at the end of the circuit, it is possible to visit the monastery. From Votsi beach, you can also reach Megalos Mourtias. The route alternates between small coves and coastal paths. The added bonus is the chance to go for a swim at the end, which is ideal for motivating yourself and rewarding your efforts. The route is particularly suited to walkers seeking peace and quiet.
After breakfast, drive to the port, return the car and take the last crossing to the largest island in the Sporades: Skiathos. Upon arrival, private transfer and stay on a hill overlooking the sea, in a small modern building opening onto a pleasant garden with a swimming pool. A private balcony with a beautiful view of the surrounding nature extends your studio. Once you've dropped off your luggage, it's time to explore. In recent years, Skiathos has become a popular and lively seaside destination. Here, evenings on the terraces of traditional taverns or trendy cafés last late into the night. Beforehand, be sure to visit the town and/or enjoy one last swim.
See and do in Skiathos -Take a stroll around Bourtzi Fortress, which separates the old port from the new; visit the charming and highly symbolic Evangelistra monastery, where the very first Greek flag was woven and raised in 1807 during the War of Independence; explore the house of the famous 19th-century author Alexandros Papadiamantis, if you feel so inclined; sunbathe on the beach (choose from Megali Ammos, Troulos, Lalana, Koukounaries - long considered the most beautiful on the island and even in the country); climb up to the Byzantine castle or the church of Agios Nikolaos to admire the landscape at golden hour.
Private transfer to the airport and international return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Introduction to diving off the coast of Alonissos
The calm, crystal-clear waters of the Sporades, with their particularly pleasant temperatures in summer, are an ideal testing ground for anyone wishing to try their hand at diving. The shallow, well-preserved seabed is teeming with life. So, we carefully put on our equipment, listen attentively to the instructor's instructions and safety rules, and then jump into the water. You'll learn diving signals, observe a variety of Mediterranean fish and, with a little luck or a little more experience, sponges, anemones, moray eels...Sailing: cruise in the Sporades
Is there a more evocative way to explore an archipelago? Aboard the gulet - a traditional Anatolian schooner - your cabin is comfortable, clean and air-conditioned. It's a little cramped - this is sailing, after all - but this is more than compensated for by the clever layout. The weather conditions generally allow almost everything to take place on deck. The captain and the cook are particular about the quality of the food. And the mid-tempo rhythm of the cruise quickly sets in: sailing in the morning; anchoring in a cove during the hottest hours of the day (which we take advantage of to swim in the crystal-clear water); lunch; in the afternoon, setting sail for a new port to explore. The boat first rounds Cape Artemision, then enters the Thessalian Sporades: Skopelos, with its striking relief and unspoilt character; Alonissos, whose national reserve is home to monk seals but also blue and white dolphins, pilot whales and Cuvier's beaked whales; Skiathos, whose Aegean soul has not been tarnished by tourism. With its small harbours where fishing boats weigh anchor, coves, stretches of coastline covered with fragrant pine trees, red coral and white churches, the archipelago exudes maritime charm and is more Greek than Greece itself from the waves.
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