Skiathos

[Liz]

We stayed on Skiathos about 10 years ago -it was a last minute holiday at the end of September .
We stayed in a small appartment block in Troulos bay ( which was nothing to write home about )
But the bay itself and the people were just lovely -we parked our selves up one day on the beach with our buckets and spades etc and an old man appeared from the house behind with drinks and grapes from his garden -he told us we could leave our stuff inside his gate in the evening to save having to carry it backwards and forwards, with two small kids we were very gratefull ( sometimes wondered if we could leave the kids in there too ;D )
There was a man in a small Taverna on the beach -George..he was from Lefkada ..he had a kitchen the size of a bean tin but rustled up some of the best food I've ever had .
He frequently went of to the main shops on his bike and would shout for my OH to 'watch the shop'
It was a lovely holiday ..I've always wanted to go back there ....I've gone all dreamy and teary eyed now ;D

[Jennifer]

Sometimes those last minute hols are the best, Liz. We did a similar thing last summer - went to North Wales on the spur of the moment and eneded up in Criccieth.

Didn't move from the town all week. Spent the entire time beachcombing and rockpooling with occasional climbs up the castle and lots of local ice-cream - bit like Halki then really except the sea was colder ;D

[carol]

Hi Liz, we stayed in Troulos as well, probably about the same year as you, really enjoyed it, some of the best beaches we have seen in Greece. We used to get the bus most days to Kanapitsa where the man in charge of the beach taverna used to come along every morning and sweep the sand, needless to say it was spotless. The only reason we have not been back is that tiny airport and scary take off and landing, being a very nervous flyer I cannot face it again. I also heard recently that it is not as peaceful as it used to be but where is these days ?

[daisy]

Oh wow we stayed at Troulos as well had a little beach over the field at the back of our studios. Had a great holiday but must admit OH did not like the landing or take off so have never returned

[carol]

I know exactly what you mean, sitting in the taverna opposite departures and seeing those planes take off nearly made me stay there forever and then nearly as bad we landed in Thessalonika after about a twenty minute flight and then took off again, nightmare for anervous flyer

[daisy]

We had to re fuel in Thessalonika as well. Hadn't read the small print :-[so had no idea nearly had a heart attack when as no sooner had we taken off we were coming back down.

[Jennifer]

My in-laws had a very dodgy trip home from Skiathos a few years back and took several attempts to land to re-fuel in a thunderstorm - it's kind of put us off going. I hate flying at the best of times

[Liz]

Well I must be a bit odd in that sense ..I love to fly and a few bumps make it all the more exciting for me
We didn't have the re-fuel as it was late in the season and the pilot had made his fuel stretch .
It was just great when a man appeared from the airport and just shouted ''Manchester !!!'' ..we stood outside and watched the plane land ..inches from our noses ;D

[Di]

anyone who likes dodgy landings, you've got to go to Samos. The first time we landed I thought they had two runways as you come in parallel to the runway then bank round - just as you straighten up you land. Having said that, although it scared the c**p out of us - it's well worth it!!! ;D ;D

[joanie]

Loved Skiathos,stayed at Troulos, lovely, and just an amazing landing,fantastic

[dawn]

I've been to Skiathos twice, and Samos too. Like Liz I love flying and enjoy a bit of excitement... so I enjoyed those airport experiences (although the first time from Skiathos even I wondered if we were going to run out of runway before the plane got off the ground!) Bumpiest flights have been: into Faro airport, Portugal for our honeymoon 23 years ago (we bounced down the runway, with the final bump being a huge bang and the Portugese steward sat opposite us rolled his eyes and said with a sigh "it's always like this with this captain!"); and taking off from Kos airport a few years ago and flying over Europe through a massive thunderstorm. The seatbelt signs remained on for the whole 4 hours, and we only just got a meal as even the stewardesses were strapped in for most of the time due to the turbulence.
Happy days

[Deleted]

Try landing in Kastellorizo. They took the top of the hill off to perch the runway on it. Like landing a plane on the helipad in Halki ;D

[carol]

Definitely wont be going there sth, Skiathos was toooo much for me , loved the island and especially those lovely beaches but I am terrified taking off and landing so its a no go I am sorry to say

[Deleted]

Carol, taking off is the best bit - you are on your way to Halki! Landings are only controlled crashes so best just think of the cold Retsina ;D ;D ;D

[dawn]

May 30, 2009 14:40:45 GMT @sth said:

Landings are only controlled crashes

Ooh, you're quite a comfort