The Skiathos Bulletin Board

discopants · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 361 Location: County Durham

Just back from a great stay on the island. Visited last year but because of a broken arm couldn't hire a car to get round island. This time hired one for 11 days and did get around a bit.
Last year our fave spot for sunbathing was Megali Ammos and so on the first day we headed there with son and girlfriend. They were disappointed and I have to say there must have been some bad storms as it was noticeable that whilst last year there were large areas where you could walk into sandy sea, this year the same areas were very rocky. A disappointment then. That night we visited the Bourtzi and I noted a change of ownership and inferior service to last year and aaaargh....no draught beer ! The view hadn't changed though and is still very beautiful.
We ate at Nico's and a gyros plate for 8 euro showed you could get good scran at a great price. He threw in a free half caraffe of wine, good man !
Sunday, we got the taxi to Kouk and back tohotel for 30 euros. Son and Girly liked this one. That night we went to Asprotholis for first time and was impressed. Beautiful surroundings and great food and service. Son paid as a Father's Day prezzy ! Happy Days.
Monday picked up hire car Toyota Aygo for just 25 euros a day organized by hotel and delivered for us. We went to Ag Paraskevi beach for first time without kids, we loved it and the beds were lovely. That night ate in hotel, very good.
Tuesday awoke to find I'd been badly bitten despite covering myself in Mozzy spray. My left eye was closed and my left ear made Prince Charles' left ear look little. Son said I looked like someone off The Goonies ! That night met friends from our town in The Old Port, small world eh ? Ate at Ding Dong man, ding a ling.
Visited Mandraki beach the next day cue the music from Robinson Crusoe, which I had on my i pod. Very impressed. Ate that night in O Batis and shared a fish platter, very nice and full of Greeks.
Next day with kids went to Banana for first time. They loved it.We commented that it was very crowded around the sunbed area.Got back to car to find it had been badly bumped. Being worried about this Kostas from the hotel told me to forget about it he would take responsibility !!!!
Visited the Amaretto bar next day for a change we shared two pizzas accompanied by clouds of dust every time a plane went by, ha ha. A boozy night in Old Port with friends from our town.
Sat was Kouk and it was packed to the rafters. Walked over to Abalekia for lunch and was impressed with the beach bar found it reasonable too. That night we ate at Alexandros for the first time and I know this will upset some but we were not impressed. We got there at about 7.30pm and got a table despite many being reserved for folk who didn't put an appearance in till much later. Our food was fine but 2 pieces of beef in the sitfado ? What spoilt the night was the constant scurry of staff with tables on their heads trying to accomodate as many as possible, to the point where we and many others already seated were somewhat neglected.
Sunday we awoke to see The Calypso moored off Megali Ammos and we wentinto town for a drink then got the water taxi to Achladies beach and had lunch at the Paradise Taverna. Great food and great spot. Water taxi back at tea time and a night in the hotel.
Weather on the Monday was overcast, we visited Kanapitsa and Volomnoris but gave up and headed to the shops of the town. Fresh sea bass that night at hotel. The next day we visited the other Mandraki with the kids who loved it, that night we ate at Polykratis and had a lovely meal, the best we had in town.
Would you believe the next day we were bumped again in Kouk car park !
Our last full day was spent on Mandraki and we ate at Meditteranean in town which was very average.
I've gone on I know. I thought the island was busier than the same time last year and we spent less dosh this time but don't ask me how.
The brothers at The Paradise Hotel, Kostas and Dimitrious once again excelled themselves. The views from our balconies were to die for. The food in the restaurant was consistently excellent and it's a great spot for an evening meal on their terrace overlooking that view. From the terrace you can see 9 islands and all the planes,ferries and yachts coming and going. They welcome non residents give it a go you'll love it.
Skiathos does get to you, we met folk in the hotel on their 16th,17th and18th consec visits !
We'll be back, we love it.
Gary
_________________
Greece is the word !

Townboy · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

Great report disco, glad you had a good time. I'm definitely going to see Ding Dong man some time soon (going out on the 10th), seems a Skiathos holiday is incomplete without the experience! Laughing

skiathos lad · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 554 Location: skiathos

hehehe,
great,
you got bitten, ripped off, sunburned ,broken arm,
any bees, snakes, or jelly fish?
troubled by kids, yet you love skiathos.
yes,
my type of guy....

tommygib · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

sanddancer · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:07 am Post subject:

great report disco, a holiday full of adventure eh!
maybe you should change your name to indiana jones Laughing

glad you had a good time Wink

_________________
May your troubles be like the old man's teeth... few and far between.

karengriffin54 · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Posts: 8

pardon my ignorance but where is the paradise hotel sounds lovely ps who is the ding dong man

discopants · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 361 Location: County Durham

Karen, the Paradise Hotel is up in the hills above bus stop 9.The location affords spectacular views but the hotel runs a bus service into town and back 6 times a day. Check it out on Trip Advisor there are lots of photos of it on there or try www.paradiseholidays.gr.
The Ding Dong Man is in a side street running parralell to the harbour, and he has a big grill in the street where he cooks verious meats over the coals, if you tell him you enjoyed your meal he rings a set of bells and gives you the high five.
It's real name is Kopiaza I think or similar.
Gary
_________________
Greece is the word !

MrsWhicker · Boomerang Club - Member Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 1274

Gary, you were close with the name of the Ding Dong Bell Meat Man Laughing

It's O'Kaziakas and he's in the street between The King and Queen and El Torre, he's a lovely guy his wife works in the kitchen and his kids Vasilis and Katerina serve at the tables...top family.

Good to hear your son and his girlfriend enjoyed Skiathos - are they hooked?

Merlin · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:29 am Post subject:

Kriandos · Guest

Merlin · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject: