Photo: Skiathos Town © Andreas Constantiou
Karen Creed compares the two extremes of Greek beauty in Skiathos and Santorini.
If a genie popped out of a bottle and asked me how I wanted to spend a week anywhere in the world, I would wish for a villa on the island of Skiathos. The little green gem is a short distance from mainland Greece and is where I celebrated a memorable birthday. While the flowing champagne and gastronomic Greek cuisine did add to the enjoyment, with or without the birthday treats, it is a tantalising destination.
For a start, the scenery makes words like ‘spectacular’ seem altogether too banal. Skiathos has one striking similarity to Ireland, in that it is very lush and green. The crucial difference is Skiathos attracts the piping hot sun for at least five months of the year. Here boating millionaires and backpackers mingle in one of the most unpretentious parts of Europe.
Skiathos is one of the few islands in Greece that has never changed name. The island has its own airport and while the approach into it is a bit hairy (it has the shortest runway in Europe) I was too busy eyeing up the awaiting paradise from my plane window. As a beach lover I was spoilt for choice, with around 60 on the island. Sandy beaches are around virtually every bend and each is different from the next one. Most days we made the most of the plethora of water sports and scenic boat tours in the sparkling sea. For lunch with a view, we made our way to the port, with its array of fine restaurants. Even to sit in one of the cafés is mesmerizing, watching the small boats nose into the bay, ferrying hundreds of day-trippers to and from the island.
For such a small island, the attractions and accommodation on Skiathos are impressive. You can choose from basic self-catering to several swanky hotels. Fortunately, there are no high rise eyesores. After energetic afternoons of water skiing and canoeing, good Greek grub and nightlife was on our agenda. With a flurry of cosy restaurants and a smattering of lively bars, there is a wonderful Mediterannean vibe around Chora. In nearby Bourtzi, you will find a tamer culture with a regular array of concerts and art exhibitions.
After just a few days of exploring this small island, we were all reluctant to leave it behind. The upside was our holiday was not ending just yet. It was onwards to the trendy and renowned Santorini.
This volcanic mass is often described as the most spectacular of all of the Greek islands. I could not make any rash judgment as I arrived in the black of night. Eight hours later, I woke to the bells ringing from the blue-domed steeple of the nearby Orthodox Church. The blue sky, the little white houses perched on gigantic rocks that lead dramatically into the sea, the lemon and orange groves…how could I not be impressed?
Santorini is simply beautiful, a mix of sun and surf and ancient sites amid 14 charming towns and villages. I focused my island experience on Oia and Fira. Fira is a bustling commercial town lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. As well as seeing the typical gifts and ‘I Love Greece’ posters, the town also has designer boutiques and some stunning jewellery stores.
There should be no guilt in indulging in three course meals in Santorini as you are sure to either walk or dance it off. The towns are hilly and full of steps while the nightlife is one of the most robust in Europe. We tested out a few of the bars on some of the rambling streets of Fira, and were happy to see the same rules as the rest of the Mediterranean apply here – the bars are open ‘til dawn.
This fashionable island is not without its thrill-seeking moments. Some of the highlights included climbing part of the still-active volcano (it last erupted in 1950) while later in the blistering afternoon sun I sat on the saddle of one very strong donkey balancing precariously on a volcanic cliffside. There was quite a view to appreciate down below, but I was concentrating too hard on not falling off my bumpy mode of transport. The trek was worth it as we disembarked at possibly the most scenic restaurant on the island. Perched on the edge of the volcanic cliffside, Ambrosia had a lunch waiting for us that befitted royalty. Fresh Greek salads and grilled seafood served with frosty beer or Santorini wine. Three hours later we left, our trousers a little tighter and our heads a little lighter.
If there is one thing you have to do in Santorini, its catch a sunset. Almost everyone who visits the island comes to the village of Oia to watch it. I bid goodbye to the sun in style with a glass or two of champagne at the stunning Perivolas Villas. I left the island convinced that Santorini really does deserve its beautiful name.
For more information on Greece check out www.gnto.gr
