• Day 1 Ag. Konstantinos
- Trikeri
(33 miles)
• Day 2 Trikeri - Skiathos
(30 miles)
• Day 3 Skiathos - Skopelos
(19 miles)
• Day 4 Skopelos - Alonissos
(6 miles)
• Day 5 Alonissos - Peristera
- Kyra Panagia
(18 miles)
• Day 6 Kyra Panagia
- Skiros
(37 miles)
• Day 7 Skiros - Karistos
(68 miles)
• Day 8 Karistos - Athens
(32 miles)
EMBARKATION: AGIOS KONSTANTINOS
DISEMBARKATION: ATHENS
Lying out of the mainstream of history the Sporades
have few archaeological remains but the beautiful scenery and fine sandy
beaches have been attracting growing numbers of visitors.
AGIOS KONSTANTINOS is the mainland terminal for Skiathos.
TRIKERI BAY is on the east side of the entrance to the Gulf of
Volos. The deep bay with the small fishing village offers spectacular
scenery.
SKIATHOS
is the nearest of the Sporades to the mainland coast. Until 1830 the inhabitants
lived on the Kastro, an almost inaccessible rocky spur, that was connected
to the island by a drawbridge which could be raised in times of siege.
Today it is deserted and almost the entire population lives in Skiathos
town. Which has become a sort of junior league Myconos with discos, bars
and good restaurants livening up the night. In the daytime, the numerous
sandy beaches are the main attraction.
SKOPELOS, like Skiathos, is densely wooded in pine over its slopes.
It is also very fertile - vines, olives, almonds, pears, citrus fruit
and plums for which the island is famous are grown. It is intensely cultivated
and the inhabitants are farmers not seafarers. Although the island has
a remote feel to it, in summer it is invaded every day by visitors who
come from Skiathos for its splendid beaches. Recently archaeologists discovered
evidence of a Cretan settlement which makes Skopelos the most northerly
Minoan site so far unearthed.
ALONISSOS, a hilly wooded island that relies on the donkey and
the caique as much as on motor vehicles. Evidence of Neolithic and other
ancient habitation has been discovered. It is also thought to be the site
of ancient Hallonessos, a city that ancient commentators say disappeared
into the sea during a catastrophic earthquake. Beautiful bays with pine-clad
slopes and inviting taverns.
PERISTERA
is the island lying roughly parallel to and just to the east of Alonissos
whereas further north is the island of Pelagos with the bay of Kira Panayia.
All these spots offer unrivalled beauty with crystal clear water.
SKIROS the most easterly and the largest of the Sporades. The lower
slopes of the high ground are wooded in pine and maquis. The capital is
more like a Cycladic village than the villages on Skiathos or Skopelos.
The white cubist houses with flat roofs are built on a steep slope with
a Venetian castle on the summit. In the village there is an unusual amount
of carved wood - doors, shutters, chairs and stools. Skiros embroidery
is also much in evidence. Some of the best island folk art is contained
in the Faltaitz Museum near the castle - one of the best of its kind in
Greece. A herd of wild ponies, descendants of the ancient breed called
Pikermic and akin to Shetland ponies roam the island. Ancient Skiros was
ruled by King Lykomedes. It was he who treacherously killed Theseus, King
of Athens, by hurling him over a cliff into the sea.
KARISTOS is on the south of Evia, the largest Greek island after
Crete. It is a growing tourist resort situated on a narrow strip of land
at the foot of a magnificent mountain range. In places the range drops
sheer to the sea for 500 metres or more. The rugged interior is well worth
a visit and there is good trekking in the hills behind.
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