In combination with the National Offshore Championship, the North Aegean International Sailing Week (Skopelos sailing week 2011) will take place, proving that Skopelos can be used as a competitive venue and the unique diversity within the tourism sector of the island.

Skopelos is a popular location for sailing, with boats of all shapes and sizes seen bobbing up and down on the waters surrounding the island.

The venue for this year’s competition was purposely chosen by the committee of the Thessalonki Offshore Racing Club, who appointed the island because of its immense natural beauty and convenient position in the middle of the Aegean Sea.

In holding the NAISW 2011, the organisers of the competition and the people of Skopelos are intent in demonstrating to the outside world that they are proficient in hosting such an important and revered sporting event. According to organizers of the NAISW:

“With the organisation of the several events in August we have a chance to show visitors and contestants that Skopelos is unique in many ways. We all have to work together and give information to the visitors about the island, show our pure agricultural products, the nature and our hospitality.”

A total of twelve national sailing clubs from across Greece are expected in be represented in the sailing championships in August, with some of the most competitive boats and crews from the nation keen to be involved in the action.

For those that have visited Skopelos a return visit is almost always guaranteed. Being the greenest island on the Aegean Sea, Skopelos is the very essence of the word ‘picturesque’. Hidden beneath a blanket of pine trees, Skopelos is rich in culture and history, fusing the sophisticated and lively with the tranquil and charming.

The fact that this ‘shimmering emerald island’ is hosting such as a prominent sailing event is yet more evidence of the cosmopolitan nature of Skopelos.

To really take advantage of the island’s stunning beauty, you should consider staying at Vintage Travel’s luxury 2 bedroom villa in Skopelos, ‘Maro’, pictured above.

If you want to start planning this year’s holiday but haven’t even decided on a destination yet, why not let Vintage Travel do your deciding for you? We have many stunning villas on the Greek islands of Skopelos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Peloponnese, all offering something distinct and matchless, in the most stunning of surroundings. The only difficult bit now is choosing which Greek island to head to.

Rhodes

On the Island of Rhodes, we have villas boasting views of the particularly picturesque Vlicha Bay. Lay at the southern end of the Dodecanese chain of islands, Rhodes skirts the Turkish coast, with its southern situation ensuring the island has more than 300 days a year of beautiful sunshine. Known as the ‘Crusader Island’, Rhodes is an historian’s paradise, with the ancient sites of Lindos, Lalyssos and Kamiros just waiting to be explored.

Rhodes unique diversity means it caters for every tourist’s taste – Lazing on a beautiful sandy beach, visiting medieval fortresses, enjoying nightlife that rivals any European destination, or exploring the island’s magnificent countryside, Rhodes has it all.

Kefalonia

The island of Kefalonia offers an intriguing mix of the ancient and the modern. Since Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was set on Kefalonia, it has become one of the most sought-after resorts in Greece, and with good reason. Mountains capped in forests and tortuous mountain roads, provide for some sensational vistas, whilst several interesting attractions such as the caves at Melisani, attract thousands of visitors each year.

If you are wanting to experience a Greek holiday with a difference, then Kefalonia is calling.

Corfu

Since the Victorian times, Corfu has been a popular holiday destination. Its intense plethora of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the bigger towns, means the island remains particularly popular with young people. Although Corfu does have a lot more to offer than just its buzzing, lively nightlife.

Romantic villages, steeped in history and culture, interesting coves and pretty beaches scatter this island, which provides some breathtaking views, dominated by mountains and some rich and fertile farmland.

Crete

Crete is the largest and most southerly of the Greek islands, and is therefore blessed with a sensational climate. Although the weather is far from Crete’s only sensational feature. With more than 1000 kilometres of coastline, visitors can literally spend their whole holiday seeking out many deserted and beautiful beaches and coves. Crete, with its warm and friendly hospitality and insistence on tradition and folklore, gives tourists a real taste of true Greece.

Peloponnese

One of the less well-known Greek islands, Peloponnese, with its medieval castles, remarkable ancient remains, white sandy beaches and quant and charming villages, hidden amongst some truly breathtaking scenery, is one of the most pure and unblemished places in the whole of Greece.

Skopelos

For those who prefer your beaches more rugged, then Skopelos, with its rough and craggy hillsides, protruding into many rocky and interested coastal outlets, may be the destination for you. This beautiful island is practically all forest, with 80 percent of inland Skopelos being cloaked in sweet-smelling pine trees.

It is because of this eclectic mix of rugged coastline, pine woods, fruit orchids, chapels and monasteries and friendly locals, that has guaranteed the island of Skopelos is featured in our 2011 portfolio of magnificent properties.

Vintage Travel’s ‘Discover’ brochures 2011

To provide you with an even greater understanding of the location you have chosen to take your holiday, the accommodation you will be staying in and the many treasures you are likely to uncover, Vintage Travel has composed three glossy, glamorous and ‘brimming with information’ brochures, new to 2011.

Aptly titled ‘Discover’, the brochures have been designed to deepen our clients’ comprehension of the journey they will soon be embarking on. Or to help indecisive travellers make their final destination choice, Vintage Travel’s “Discover”, will act as a definitive decision-maker.

The three brochures cover the vast and diverse European locations our extensive profile of villas are located in – One being dedicated to Spain, Lanzarote, Balearics and Portugal, another to France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia, and the third covering Greece and Turkey.

As all our properties are personally visited by our team of travel experts, descriptions of the locations and properties are a personal and honest account, accompanied with the most stunning and visually transparent of photographs.

These carbon neutral publications provide a comprehensive overview of each of the countries and islands featured by Vintage Travel, which includes answers to the vital questions travellers often have prior to their trip. First-hand experiences about climate, local cuisine and local festivals are featured frequently in these highly informative yet entertaining magazines.  Important travel information is also included, such as information about sea crossings, flights, train travel, car hire, travel insurance and other information considered essential to the modern traveller.

Comprehensive details about each individual property are provided in our brochures, including testimonies by previous visitors, prices, availability and a booking form.

Staying in private accommodation gives you the freedom, privacy and the ‘own space’ you deserve on holiday. Vintage Travel supplies only the very best this unique freedom offers. Our highly readable, riveting and photographically stunning ‘Discover’ brochures, enables our clients to leisurely muse over which of our extended quality properties especially catches their eye.

Click here to view ‘Discover’ online or to order a hard copy by post.

At Vintage Travel, we excel in finding treasures away from the mainstream trails.

Lightly frequented destinations are a true gem, aiding a place’s appeal. Skopelos certainly fits this description, as with its dazzling white yet old buildings contrasting vividly with the vibrant flower pots strewn to the walls.

This, with the cobalt colour of the sea and the sky, but with a serious lack of people, Skopelos holidays are perfect for a tranquil yet truly Greek escape.

For those wanting to know where was Mama Mia filmed, the answer is easy. The producers needed a quiet, typically greek location, Skopolos island was a simple choice.

The capital of Skopelos is Chora, a large and clean town, spookily quiet for a capital by any standards. In comparison the town of Skopelos is slightly livelier, with discerning tourists taking in the town’s characteristic architecture and quaintly cobbled streets. So beautiful and historically significant is the town that it has been declared as a heritage settlement.

Tiny whitewashed churches settled atop the edge of a cliff are one of Greece’s most fond and charismatic associations. This amiable image is scattered right across Skopelos, enhancing the island’s splendour and charm. For some, pebble beaches are preferable to sandy ones, and most of the beaches on the island are covered in pebbles, free from crowds and great to bathe, swim and explore.

The word Skopelos actually means “rocky” in Greece, and with its deep and dramatic gorges, tall jagged mountains, covered with rich and fragrant forests, it is understandable why Skopelos has been described as being one of the prettiest of the Greek islands.  For luxury Greek holidays, Skopelos is ideal.

Although life is traditional and simple here, with the majority of the locals working in agriculture and the fishing industry, Skopelos is home to quite a few bars, restaurants and clubs – luring a younger crowd to the island.

Tradition is certainly the prevailing feature of this beautiful island, although when a large photography exhibition is held each year, Skopelos is transformed into quite a cosmopolitan destination for the duration of the event.

If you are looking for Greek island villas, in the prettiest of surroundings, a trip to Skopelos will not let you down.

However, many of the beaches can be reached from Skopelos Town by bus or hire car and range from tiny secluded coves to long stretches of white pebbles or sand/shingle. The water is crystal clear and the swimming/snorkelling is fantastic.

Here’s our guide to the best beaches in Skopelos:

Milia (approx 17km from town). This is pebble and sand beach, which offers an incredibly picturesque setting and has views of rocky outcrops and Dassia Island. It’s not unusual for dolphins to visit here in the early mornings so make sure you get there early. Also, there is a fantastic tavern and beach bar and a bus stop about 500m away.

Milia Beach, Skopelos

Hovolo (approx 20km from town). This beach may only be accessed by excursion boats but is well worth the trip if you are looking to escape the crowds and looking for seclusion.

Hovolo Beach, Skopelos

Limonari (approx 10km from town) is a perfect sandy beach popular for weddings. The only way to reach it is via foot or water taxi as there is no bus stop. Make sure you have an ice cold refreshment from the tavern here – excellent.

Glysteri can only be reached by water taxi as it is a deep inlet on the northern coast with a shingle beach. If you want to lose the crowds then this is a great option and it also has a fantastic taverna on the beach.

Glyfoneri is approximately 20 minutes walk from the old town and is best known for it’s incredible green/blue crystal waters and a small shingle beach. It does get busy here, but you can always escape to one of the several tavernas and ouzeries.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Skopelos please check out our unique range of luxury private villas.

Skopolos Harbour

The island is absolutely gorgeous and we’ve got a selection of stunning private villas with pools to rent. Go visit the film set, walk up Mount Delphi (660m) or Mount Palouki (546m), explore ancient sites or check out the six monasteries of Palouki that date from the 14th century – whilst the island may only be 17km long there’s a huge amount to do and see.

Time to get used to the crystal waters of Skopelos

Here are two fantastic villas in Skopelos with pools to feast your eyes on:

Fotini Kalivi, a romantic hideaway with one bedroom, one bathroom, open living space and your own private pool. You’re just 3km from the island’s centre, in close proximity to two tavernas and the local markets. Oh… and the views are breathtaking!

Fotini Kalivi's views are next to none

Ninas, is a stylish two bedroom (both with air-con), two bathroom house sleeping up to four, which also enjoys fantastic views over olive groves towards the port of Skopelos Town, with an abundance of waterfront tavernas.  You’ll be able to take full advantage of the views from your own private balcony.  In addition to the private pool, it has an in-built barbecue and garden with mature trees and shrubs.

Prices for a week’s rental during 2010, lead in at £495 in mid October, rising to £1695 in peak season.  Return UK flights and car hire are not included, but can be arranged on request.

You'll fall in love with Ninas

Check out ALL of our luxury villas with pools on Skopelos.