Skopelos: Ready For Its Closeup

Skopelos might be acquiring the Hollywood therapy, but this little Greek island isn’t letting it get to its head — with appears like this who wants Hollywood?

By Andy Boxall

As of the date of this publication, there are no official “Mamma Mia!” excursions in Skopelos as there are “Sex in the City” excursions in New York, but given Skopelos’ prominent role in the hugely thriving movie adaptation of the stage display, the plan doesn’t seem as well far-fetched — in concept at least. In sensible terms, it’s very unlikely. This tiny island of 5,000, just to the east of Greece’s mainland, is about as keen to embrace its new-uncovered famed as it is to embrace the modern-day world in common — which is to say: not at all. So you can breath a sigh of relief you won’t discover any ouzo Cosmopolitans here, but what you will locate is a charming, wonderful Greek island with some of the best sights in the Aegean Sea, and with hardly a tourist in sight for most of the 12 months. Or for that matter, a singing Pierce Brosnan, a godsend to all.

Just thirteen miles in length and five miles broad, Skopelos is fantastic for any individual in search of seclusion. There’s no airport on the island, and the only way of having there is through boat. If you’re combining your Greek take a look at with a number of days in Athens — which is the advisable way of carrying out items — you can consider a two-hour journey south to the port of Agios Konstantinos and board a catamaran that will get you to the inland in about two hours. (Or you can fly to nearby Skiathos and consider an hour-long ferry from there as a substitute, all based on your tolerance for open-sea voyages.)

Outdoor Journey

In town you’ll see the acquainted sights of white-washed houses, tiny, winding streets and lots of tavernas (tiny eating places serving Greek cuisine) and cafes, but it’s outside of town wherever Skopelos really comes alive. What may possibly come as a surprise, primarily if you have just come from smoggy Athens, is just how green and lush Skopelos is, fantastic for the two avid and informal hikers. With dense forests covering the mountain sides and fields of trees and wild flowers that dot the valleys, Skopelos is a single of Greece’s greenest islands. And like quite a few Greek islands, Skopelos is incredibly mountainous, with two primary peaks splitting the land, producing valleys and gorges across the landscape.

A single hugely advised trek is to scale Delphi, one of the a lot of mountains on the island. Along the way you can assume to experience lots of types of wildlife that phone the island house, like several birds of prey, butterflies and all types of trees from plums to walnuts. The views from the mountain peaks overlooking the island to the sapphire-colored sea aren’t half-undesirable either.

The southeastern part of the island is protected below the National Marine Park of the Northern Sporades and is property to several endangered species together with the Mediterranean Monk Seal, one particular of the globe’s most endangered mammals of which an estimated 500 continue to be in the world. The seals can also be located on the island of Alonnisos (the up coming island after Skopelos), the location of Europe’s biggest Marine Park.

Hit The Beach

Daily life on Skopelos runs at a slightly slower speed, probably even slower than most other Greek islands, so don’t count on a bustling nightlife scene or couture-filled buying centers when you’re back in town. No, this is a place for exploration, relaxation, and a return to a less complicated way of residing. Though it might be a very little busy for the duration of the large season, test to check out when items have settled down (May possibly/June or September/October) and when the weather is even now pleasant and the crowds have thinned significantly.

Like lots of Greek islands, Skopelos’ seashores are one particular of its most important sights. Kastani Seaside (the area of quite a few scenes of the film) about 18 kilometers west of Skopelos Town is well worth a visit for a swim in its clear waters, but a trip to Glysteri, just of north of town, is significantly less well-acknowledged and hence quieter but each bit as fulfilling.

Skopelos’ Newest Well known Locale

Most likely one of the most astounding sights in all of the island is the Agios Ioannis Chapel, the tiny chapel that sits precipitously atop a rocky outcrop above the choppy sea under. Located on the northern side of the island about an hour outside of Skopelos Town, this chapel was the place for the final wedding ceremony scene in the movie, contrary to rumors that this scene was truly shot in Corfu.

They say that fame improvements everything and if that have been constantly accurate, Skopelos, right after a starring purpose in a large Hollywood manufacturing, ought to just about be in its falling-out-of-posh-parties-drunk-at-five-a.m.-phase correct now. But the island has simply just shrugged off its fifteen minutes like it never ever took place. Agriculture continues to be the main occupation and the seafront cafes retain the very same clientele they did before any stars came to town. Just as the influx of visitors in summer season is handled as a little something that just “happens,” so was the film field. Now it’s gone, Skopelos has quckly moved on, and has returned to what it usually has been: a glorious, quiet, Mediterranean beauty spot.