Post by lesleyd on Jun 15, 2013 23:38:09 GMT
We arrived at the Alkyon on 24th May - it's in the most perfect location right on the sea front, near to the bus station with the harbours and town in one direction and lots of tavernas on the strip in the other direction :-)
The most impressive thing about the Alkyon is the stunning view from the roof top terrace!
We lingered over breakfast far too long most days it was such a luxury to have such a fabulous view.
Our first visit was to the Bourtzi for a frappé and fabulous views then to the old harbour where we ended up in Ladokola (although we were looking for Kabourelias!) where we had a 'brown paper bag' cocktail - a long drink with vodka and fruit juices 6 euros highly recommended!
We also got given a free plate of sliced banana with raspberry sauce on :-)
Cocktails elsewhere turned out to be 8-10 euros so didn't have too many of those! Mainly stuck to house wine which was always very nice and only 2 euros a glass or 4 euros for half litre carafe :-)
Then we bumped into SL1 for the first of many conversations, my mam asking his advice on almost everything she wanted to know about Skiathos haha.
The first evening we ventured up to To Palouki in the back streets above the harbour - the Moussaka is excellent, a square slab not in a dish (marks 9/10!) manage to get a table up on the little balcony and when we had finished our half litre of rosé wine they brought us another carafe on the house!
The next morning went in search of olive bread and found some in the Ariston bakery on the new harbour, flat and round, quite small but full of olives and so good to just tear it apart and eat it for lunch - full of flavour. I did try to get some from the other bakeries on papadiamanti street and aghia triada that had been recommended to me but they had always sold out by the time I got there!
We had lots of good meals - some of the best were Alexandros ( chicken souvlaki wrapped in bacon), Kabourelias , Kouzakias, Limanaki , Troulos Bay beach taverna, Kanapitsa Taverna and No Name Gyros...
There are many tavernas we didn't get to try so already have a list for next year!
We hadn't tried the taxi boats on previous holidays as Troulos is normally our favourite beach but as we were staying in town thought we would try them out. We got the taxi boat to Kanapitsa and loved it - 15 minute journey with fab views, small bay with just one row of sun loungers and gorgeous food at the Kanapitsa taverna, absolute heaven!
We went here for our last day as well and had a special lunch in our new favourite place.
We also tried the taxi boat to Achladies a bigger beach with several lovely tavernas, had a great day but didn't beat Kanapitsa!
It's always one of our rituals to go to Skiathos dog shelter - ooh and aah at the gorgeous fluffy puppies, I took Jensen for a walk, bought some souvenirs from their shop and gave them lots of cards that my mam had made for them to sell to raise funds :-)
We also visited Sharon at Skiathos Cat Welfare (and took her lots of cards to sell as well)
seen the lovely Pandora that I sponsor and all the other beautiful cats that get looked after so well. Sharon does an amazing job..
We managed to do 4 boat trips which we really enjoyed :-)
Round the Island trip on the Kalypso - highlights were the visit to Kastro and Kati Yorgis a picturesque little bay on the mainland, Pelion, where we had lunch. Seen dolphins!! right near the boat but wasn't quick enough to get a photo!
Mamma Mia boat trip on the Kalypso - visit beaches on Skopelos where Mamma Mia was filmed. For 12 euros each we got a seat on a minibus to take us to the Mamma Mia church where you get 30 minutes to climb all those steps if you want to...then the bus takes you to catch the boat at the next stop Panormas beach where we had a lovely lunch in a beach taverna (there are 3 together and it's the one on the right) they have huge barrels of home made wine! The courgette balls/fritters are gorgeous :-)
They play Mamma Mia music all the way and there is dancing and a quiz on the way back, with a free drink for the right answer - although I have been told the prizes are now tickets to see mamma Mia in the open air cinema in Skiathos town!
Trip to Skopelos and Alonissos on Ag. Nikolas the big boat in the old harbour - been on this trip before but love it, never get tired of it! The old town high in the hills at Alonissos has spectacular views and Skopelos town has some lovely shops and a great place for lunch. Victoria the tour guide does a town walk to explore the back streets, squares etc of the old town. It was so lovely to meet Victoria as I am a fan of her photos and little stories on Facebook but hadn't me her before today :-)
Another trip around Skopelos on the Poseidon - mainly because we wanted to go back to Skopelos for lunch, and it's such a nice day out sailing around the coast! The Poseidon did stop at a beach near the Mamma Mia church but you do have to walk up some very steep steps up the cliff at the back of the beach, down the hill to the bottom of the rock that the church is on and then more steps up to the church, you need to be very fit haha!
well never done 4 full day boat trips before in a fortnight but thoroughly enjoyed all of them and well worth the money! Just remember to book them yourself on the harbour at least one day in advance to get a much better price - if you wait until the actual morning you will pay at least 5 euros more per person.
We love walking down to Mylos taverna just a 5 minute walk from the Alkyon in the direction of the airport - when the planes land you almost feel like you can touch them!
bumped into SL1 with his lovely family and friends having a lazy afternoon!
For Moussaka lovers!
To Palouki 9/10
Limanaki. 8/10
Troulos Bay taverna 8/10
Hope that wasn't too long and boring xx