Old photos present a unique view of our past. Here it is a glimpse of Skopelos’ past in the form of old photographs. The past is idealized by presenting its faded photographic remains as proof of an irrevocably lost simplicity and innocence.

The collection of Greek costumes, at the Benaki Museum in Athens, includes complete outfits from many different regions. Between them we spotted an authentic traditional wedding gown from the island of Skopelos. It is the one in the middle.  About the  Benaki Museum The museum ranks among the major institutions that have enriched the material assets of the Greek state.  It is also the oldest museum in Greece operating as a Foundation under Private Law.  Through its extensive collections that cover several different cultural fields and its more general range of activities serving more than one social need, the Benaki Museum is perhaps the sole instance of a complex structure within the broader network of museum foundations in Greece. 

Daisy found us when we were on holiday on Skopelos island in 2001. She was an abandoned dog who begged round cafes but had malnutrition and had been very badly treated. We were cat people, and left money for her to be fed over the winter. It was a bad winter and so when the local Cat Protection Society "SCAN" phoned and said she would die since it was so cold and no one would take her in, we decided that Daisy belonged with us. With the help of SCAN, Daisy arrived in England three months after we met her. Daisy lives with us in New Zealand now and is a most beautiful dog with a lovely nature. She has been a therapy dog, featured in our local calendar, has won ribbons for best mixed breed, and best sit down dog!  --- by Ann Allen, April 2010

Welcome to a Paradise for Children! Skopelos is a small world of enchantment, where children learn through play and exploration. In this safe and secure environment, kids are led through an exciting and a stimulating round of activities every single day. 

At the rocky coast of Amarandos you can enjoy a tranquil and peaceful swim.  From the main bus road, between Stafylos and Agnontas, there is a dirt road on the left, through the forest, that leads to several secluded little rocky coves, perfect for snorkeling. Pine trees sweep down to the water's edge offering privacy and shade.  Click on the link for photos from the area →  Amarandos, Skopelos

To many people all the birds seen near the sea are "seagulls". Actually there are many different kind of birds who make their living from the sea. There are shags, eagles, sea doves, and a host of others.  This, however, is a true seagull, a Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), one of the most familiar seaside bird on both Skopelos coasts and inland areas. For the so-called seagull is just as apt to follow a tractor and pick up grasshoppers on a farm as it is to pick up clams and crabs from a beach. 

ABOUT FAROS SKOPELOU CHARITY.  Faros Skopelou is a non-profit making, registered charity which was founded in 2006. Their mission is “To help the individuals and community of Skopelos face the challenge of cancer and other life limiting illness, through support, advocacy, and education.”  People who are living with a serious illness such as cancer, advanced heart / renal failure, dementia, and other neurological conditions on Skopelos face many challenges. The geographical distance of the island from the main treatment centres and from support services available on the mainland can deepen the sense of isolation and fear that people with serious illness (and those caring for them) commonly experience. This is compounded by the taboos and apprehension found in the wider community which are perpetuated by misunderstandings or lack of available and accurate information.  They aim to support individuals and the community as a whole, using four main spheres of activity:  Providing ongoing pr

Marc Held is both architect and designer. The full range of this creative work is remarkable - everything from small spoons to entire factories, with houses, cars, ski outfits, porcelain and furniture in between. Although Marc’s studio was based in Paris for a long time, his work has been commissioned and sold all over the world. A number of his creations are exhibited in museums of contemporary art, and some of the rarer pieces - always supposing one is lucky enough to find them - feature in major public auctions. Today, one of Marc Held’s main preoccupations is the relationship between traditional and modern architecture. Marc Held’s principal residence is now in Skopelos island, which has become his second homeland. Marc Held's book "SKOPELOS, the landscapes and the vernacular architecture of an Aegean island" was published in 3 languages. English, French and Greek. It is a 211 page hardcover book (size: 25cm x 25cm) and is available for sale in local stores of Skopelo

--- by Pedro Uhart, On l'appelait: "La bibliothèque des alcools de Skopelos" cet extraordinaire fenêtre grecque, technique: polaroid The Polaroids of Pedro Uhart, draw lines between symbolism and images of representations, about recovering that which is contiguous; through the long digression of work and its load of memory, they will be the “evidence” in our library of images, an imaginary museum of the instantaneous.  source:  Pedro's Uhart website  

This very rare flat silver tetradrachm from the ancient Greek island of Peparethos (Skopelos) from 500-480 B.C. is exhibited in the British Museum. OBVERSE: Running winged figure in incuse square. This figure is probably Agnon, the runner Olympic winner. REVERSE: Large bunch of grapes between two small leafs in a dotted circle. The type of this coin suggests trade relations with other cities, chiefly with Chalkidiki and Cos island, where some of them have been found. 

Some want weddings. Others want champagne receptions at sunset on their own private beach. Others, still, want to take a leaf straight out of the film script and "dance and kiss on the beach." It's called the Mamma Mia! effect. And nowhere is it felt more keenly than on the Aegean isle of Skopelos, where the capacity for life to imitate art has gone full throttle since the release of the film version of the hit Abba stage show. Tiny Skopelos's spectacular scenery brings in visitors wanting beach weddings Until the arrival of the Hollywood star cast 15 months ago, Skopelos (population 4,696) was best known for its plums, pears and pine trees. Without an airport, reachable only by ferry and devoid of the gaudiness of other Greek resorts, few could have imagined that the 96 sq km isle, set in the northern sporades east of Athens, would become the backdrop of a blockbuster featuring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. Even fewer could have foreseen its emergence

I have a dream, a song to sing to help me cope, with anything If you see the wonder of a fairy tale you can take the future even if you fail I believe in angels something good in everything I see I believe in angels when I know the time is right for me I’ll cross the street, I have a dream I have a dream, a fantasy to help me through reality And my destination makes it worth the while pushing through the darkness still another mile I believe in angels something good in everything I see I believe in angels when I know the time is right for me I’ll cross the street, I have a dream

Watching a sunset in person cannot be captured in a photograph. And although the feelings it creates can't be described in words either, there are so many quotes written by famous and anonymous about this magical time. Here are three quotes we've collected from the thousands that have been said and written.  “Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgandy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road  “A large drop of sun lingered on the horizon and then dripped over and was gone, and the sky was brilliant over the spot where it had gone, and a torn cloud, like a bloody rag, hung over the spot of its going. And dusk crept over the sky from the eastern horizon, and darkness crept over the land from the east.” ― John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath  “And yet day and night meet fleetingly at twilight and dawn," he said, lowering his voi

By John Stefanidis (Author), Susanna Moore (Author), Fritz Von Der Schulenburg (Photographer) [Hardcover] The photographs in this book give me a proper idea of colour and space in this lovely house. Go to page 100 when you have bought the book and just look at the brilliance of the blue striped cushions against the whitewashed walls, the mass of flowers and beyond a plain stone table. Indeed every page is a delight; views of the country surrounding the house and the garden are breathtaking. I particularly like the juxtaposition of Millington-Drake paintings with the photographs. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in the art of perfection.  --- review by V. Mcdonaugh

TODAY'S WEATHER IN REAL-TIME  Click below for full 7-day weather forecasts.  Weather in Skopelos   WEATHER DURING TOURIST SEASON  The tourist season is usually defined as May to October, with sunny and dry weather and clear skies.  A cool and soothing breeze accompanies the rising heat during August.  Being mountainous, the island offers many sheltered beaches, no matter which direction the wind blows. For example, you can try southerly beaches when there is a northerly wind or vice versa.  For those of you who enjoy big 'ocean' waves and surfing, try the northern beaches on a north wind day. WEATHER DURING OFF SEASON  The climate is usually rainy from November to February, but not continuously. There will always be sunny days in between the rainy ones, so one is never bored.  March is unpredictable - although you can expect about 7 hours of sunshine a day, rather less rain and the average temperature can occasionally rise to 18°C (65°F) or higher.  April signals the real b

Paul and Jasmine live in Florida, but Paul’s roots are in Greece. The island of Skopelos was his father’s (and grandfather’s, and great grandfather’s...) home and is brimming with cousins and family members, who recognize him on sight and treat him as family.  So when they decided on an intimate wedding, Greece was the obvious choice – and I was honored to be invited to join them on the journey and photograph the day. Jasmine spent the morning preparing in their home in Skopelos town, and they chose the incredibly stunning Amarandos (“The Point that Never Withers”) for their actual ceremony – the most remote and striking ceremony location I’ve ever had the chance to photograph.  Text and Photos by Aislinn Kate at  aislinnkatephotography.com