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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 14, 2022 8:44:24 GMT
I will, one day, visit out of season.
I think the plan is to go the second week in October, for two reasons. Firstly, that’s the best chance of decent weather out of season. Secondly, you can fly there on the last plane out - the one which goes to pick up the last Brit package holidaymakers. The return would obviously have to be via Athens.
The island has previously been just the wrong side of the ‘too quiet’ line for me during the last week, but I’ve stayed at Koukounaries. If I stay in town, that’ll be better.
And this won’t be my main holiday, it’ll be a week winding down.
Anyone else done this?
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Post by katet on Aug 15, 2022 22:50:20 GMT
Not yet … but am seriously considering Easter (Orthodox). I believe the days can be fairly warm, though chilly at night.
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Post by balddave on Aug 16, 2022 18:06:56 GMT
Easter is a time we would really like to visit, a special time in the Greek calendar. Hopefully one year
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 17, 2022 9:16:01 GMT
Interesting to compare the two ‘just out of season’ months of April and October.
Temperatures:
April = Min. 13.1°C/Max. 17.3°C October = Min. 17.0°C/Max. 21.4°C
October wins hands down here. Indeed, November temperatures are actually more comparable to April.
However, rainfall:
April = 40mm (7 days) October = 70mm (7 days)
So maybe the rain is heavier in October, or the showers last longer, but on 7 day holiday you’ll see rain on an average of 1.6 days.
Average sunshine hours:
April = 8.5 (day length 12h38m-13h48m) October = 7.5 (day length 11h47m-10h34m)
So the 2 hours less sunshine a day in October is around 50% down to the length of the day, and 50% down to cloud covering the sun.
Sea temperatures:
April = 17.5°C October = 21°C
I had to research this. 17.5 is towards the lower end of acceptable, whilst 21 is comfortable.
As they say, you pays your money and you takes your choice.
I’m with the comments about experiencing Easter. At some point I must try both.
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Post by dennisn on Aug 17, 2022 10:42:37 GMT
Interesting to compare the two ‘just out of season’ months of April and October. Temperatures: April = Min. 13.1°C/Max. 17.3°C October = Min. 17.0°C/Max. 21.4°C October wins hands down here. Indeed, November temperatures are actually more comparable to April. However, rainfall: April = 40mm (7 days) October = 70mm (7 days) So maybe the rain is heavier in October, or the showers last longer, but on 7 day holiday you’ll see rain on an average of 1.6 days. Average sunshine hours: April = 8.5 (day length 12h38m-13h48m) October = 7.5 (day length 11h47m-10h34m) So the 2 hours less sunshine a day in October is around 50% down to the length of the day, and 50% down to cloud covering the sun. Sea temperatures: April = 17.5°C October = 21°C I had to research this. 17.5 is towards the lower end of acceptable, whilst 21 is comfortable. As they say, you pays your money and you takes your choice. I’m with the comments about experiencing Easter. At some point I must try both. In my experience, Greek Orthodox Easter is an extremely important event. Every Greek friend I’ve made over the last 50+ years has always told me to come for Easter. I never have done, bbut seeing videos of which there are plenty, it’s obviously a greatly celebrated occcasion. Not that it has much to do with temperatures sunshine and rainfall in April and October. 😀
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 17, 2022 11:23:52 GMT
Yes, it certainly appears to be something to experience.
Interestingly, I know we've discussed what an extended season might look like before, if you compare October (currently out of season) with May (currently in season):
Mean temperatures:
May 20.1 October 19.2
Sea Temperatures:
May 18 October 21
Rainfall:
May 40mm (6 days/month) October 70mm (7 days/month)
Sunshine hours:
May 9.5 (day length c.14h20m) October 7.5 (day length c.11h20m)
Each to their own, but for me there's not a lot in it, and I'd probably prefer October.
I'm not going to post Huddy's climate data in full comparison mode, but suffice to say, our best month is July, mean temperature 16.7, 50mm of rain with 9 rain days, 6.5 hours sunshine...October in Skiathos is like adding an extra month to your summer, only better.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Mar 11, 2024 14:09:27 GMT
Zombie thread.
Going out of season is currently a genuine possibility - a long, long way from certain, but definitely now more than just a pipe dream.
I currently have holidays booked for Mid-May (Skiathos), July/August (West Wales), and the start of October (Barcelona). So I’m thinking of maybe early-mid-November.
Flights look like totalling £350-£400, and I’d have a one night stay in Athens on the way back, which looks like being maybe £100.
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Post by katet on Mar 11, 2024 20:30:00 GMT
Would you go on your own or with family Steve? I'd probably find it a little too quiet in November.
I'm leaning towards spending part of a holiday in Skopelos next year. Can't fit it in until then as am booked up for three visits - all with friends joining me ... Mrs Popular! 😂
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Mar 12, 2024 11:42:43 GMT
Would you go on your own or with family Steve? I'd probably find it a little too quiet in November. I'm leaning towards spending part of a holiday in Skopelos next year. Can't fit it in until then as am booked up for three visits - all with friends joining me ... Mrs Popular! 😂 Could be either. But I don't mind being on my own; I’m very comfortable with my own company, and a good book, or music, or a walk. Just in general, unless I hear otherwise, I’m presuming that all times out-of-season (2nd week in November to last week in April) will be equally quiet, with the exception of Easter (when not in season).. But, as ever, I stand to be corrected. I’ll ask around.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Mar 14, 2024 9:48:04 GMT
Just looking again, and this is Manchester Airport.
One of the things I’ve noticed, planes fly from Athens to Skiathos (and back) 4 days a week. Planes fly from Manchester to Athens 4 times a week, too. But the only time you can go from Manchester to Athens, then Athens to Skiathos on the same day is a Friday - EasyJet Manchester departs 7:45, lands in Athens 13:40, Sky Express leaves Athens 16:00, lands in Skiathos 16:40. Some other same-day flights, but none where the times work.
Also, it’s not possible on the return journey, so I’d resigned myself to a sleepover in Athens.
But then I spotted flights go from Athens to Thessaloniki about five times a day, both ways. And it’s about £50 each way, total £100, about the same I’d have to pay for a hotel room.
So I’m thinking a two-centre break.
Fly to Athens, then Skiathos on a Friday, then come back to Athens the following Saturday, and straight on to Thessaloniki the same day, a few nights there, then fly back to Athens on Wednesday morning, afternoon flight back to Manchester.
I’ve always wanted to go to Thessaloniki.
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