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Post by dennisn on Jun 4, 2023 8:01:30 GMT
WIFOCD!
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 4, 2023 8:05:12 GMT
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 4, 2023 8:05:42 GMT
More to follow, I’m home and dry, but not finished yet.
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Post by cariad23 on Jun 4, 2023 9:33:03 GMT
The good the bad and the ugly?
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 4, 2023 9:45:26 GMT
The good the bad and the ugly? That’s the one. As a film fan, that abbreviation is as normal to be as ASAP.
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Post by kevb on Jun 5, 2023 8:29:26 GMT
More good reports from YM, glad you finally got all the family out there.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 5, 2023 12:34:36 GMT
I’ve a few loose ends to tidy up.
Should come in the next few days.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 6, 2023 12:00:42 GMT
I didn’t mind the climb but I hate heights, there was no hand rail when I went until very near the top. I was hugging wall on way up. I don’t know how meryl Streep ran up it I’m absolutely awful with heights, but there’s a good handrail now, and I wasn’t bothered at all. I’m not sure you see MS run all the way up in the film, just ‘towards’. And I don’t think you even see her get to the start of the actual steps - I’ll have to watch that bit again. My apologies, you were absolutely right. Whilst we don’t see her run the entire way up, we see her start the ascent, on her way, and at the top. I’ve created a new thread here: skiathosboomerang.freeforums.net/thread/1445/church-agios-ioannis-kastri-mamma
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 6, 2023 12:48:03 GMT
Alkyon. I’ve taken my cue from Kate’s excellent notes.
The location couldn’t be better. It’s falling over distance from Bus Stop 0, and a dead flat walk to it. Also completely flat to the walk old both new and old ports. If anywhere in town is uphill, that’s town’s fault, but the Alkyon gets you to the foot of the climb.
It’s also within a fairly easy - and once again flat - walk to the airport. I’d say you could do that journey door-to-door if you walked briskly. Probably 35 minutes taking it easy pulled your cases on wheels, though it’s too far to carry them.
The rooms are great, very similar to the Palace in size, layout, furniture, standards. Note - free aircon, free safe.
The bar areas (inside and out) are very pleasant. The range of drinks is good, and not too steep considering you’re in a relatively posh hotel. I think €6 for a large draught Mythos - more than I’d like to spend in a bar, but not bad for one or two a day.
The sunloungers were never all full while I was there. The pool is a little bigger than it appears in photos, but obviously not as big as the Palace’s.
The staff were excellent. As it’s a small-ish hotel, you get to know them all, and they gave a personal touch about them.
A real family atmosphere - they clearly work well together as a team.
Now, free beach towels, though they like you to make them last three days - that’s fair enough, and they will change them earlier if they’ve got very wet.
Free bus to (and from) Koukounaries! A real surprise, and a most pleasant one. It’s substantially more comfortable, cheaper (free), and quicker on their mini bus than the public buses, especially with your inflatables and beach bags in the boot.
Breakfast - very similar to the Palace, maybe (very) slightly less choice. Good coffee.
I’d happily go here again.
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 6, 2023 13:09:32 GMT
Sounds lovely YM
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 6, 2023 14:20:54 GMT
I should add, the free bus will officially drop you at Maratha, the Palace, Koukounaries, or Agia Eleni.
It also dropped a couple at the medical centre near Bus Stop 3 - I suspect they’ll stop anywhere on the main road, though I’m not confident they could arrange a pick up anywhere.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 9, 2023 10:16:46 GMT
Okay, food.
Notwithstanding all my earlier comments, I thought the food took a bit of a dip in quality this year.
It was still very nice, don’t get me wrong. But I felt there were a few instances of cheaper ingredients being used - especially the meat. One of the stifados and one of the moussakas, as an example, had lesser quality textures. The meat in the stifado was a little dry and, whilst not tough, a tad tougher than normal. The mince in the moussaka was dry and grainy, with an unusual texture.
Having only been there for ten nights, this may all be coincidence, and May have been down to my mood on some of the evenings. But it’s something I felt I detected, so I thought I’d mention it.
Having said that, a few dishes stood out. The Kolokithokeftedes and stifado at Olive Thea were pretty much the best I’ve ever had, and the Greek salad on Skopelos was quite fantastic.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 9, 2023 10:29:31 GMT
how are you liking being in town as opposed to skiathos palace, do you prefer it? Sorry for not covering this earlier. Yes. And no, obviously. Previously my general feeling has been that you have to travel wherever you stay - either into town and back on a night, or to a beach and back during the day. And I’m more comfortable on the bus in my evening, going out togs, than in a swimming costume carrying beach bags and inflatables. So staying out of town was best. However, the Alkyon’s free bus puts a different angle on it. It has a boot for the bags, etc. it has towels down on the seats for when you return from the beach all wet. And it’s a simple 8 seater, where you need to book, so you’re guaranteed a seat. That, and the standard of the Alkyon, flips me to choosing town. But without the bus, and if the Alkyon wasn’t available? Don’t know.
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