The marvelous islands of the sunny Greece

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Since summer is approaching ... I thought it might be useful to provide a good diary on the trip made in 2007 in Greece and more specifically to Alonnisos, Skopelos and Skiathos, three beautiful islands of the Sporades.
We had booked flights only rtn Rome-Athens and Athens-Skiathos. 28/6/2007 11/7/2007 departure and return.
Have very little time between the arrival and departure to Athens to Skiathos we decided to travel light, only two carry-on baggage to avoid losing valuable time in recovering luggage.
Find flight to Skiathos has been difficult, even during 'quiet', this is because the charter flights have used up 30 places, so it is advisable to book well in advance if you decide to leave after the second half of July or August.
Arriving in Skiathos we asked about where to sleep the driver who took us into the city and in reply he has made him sleep in her house for 35 €.
The next morning we took the hydrofoil and in almost two hours we arrived in beautiful Alonnisos.
At the port of Patitiri many people have found that offers rooms for rent and we have facts to convince a nice old man who knew just say 'room' and that he has made gestures to understand that the cost was 25 € per night.
We settled in a small room, clean, basic, with air conditioning (we suffered very hot) and a balcony overlooking the harbor.
The next day we rented a scooter for 4 days at 80 €, is essential and should be comfortable but a lot of attention ... the roads are well paved but it is all an up and down, there are many turns and some sections that lead to beaches clay ... so better to avoid small displacements or you must push.
We have always taken the scooter with large wheels and 80 of a cylinder and we were going well.
Most beaches are all pebbles ... the best ever for us is Agios Dimitrios where calm reigns supreme and find just the little man who rents, 8 €, two chairs and an umbrella.
There is a small bar that sells ice cream sandwich and a few but it is better organized and carried water and fruit ... at least for the rest is a paradise.
Another beautiful beach is to Leftos Gialos, here is a typical Greek taverna where you must try the tuna fish, and particularly of Alonissos ... unique taste!
The only sour note is that at certain times of the arriving ships around the island and the beach is attacked by noisy tourists and eager to dive in the crystal clear turquoise waters.
In the evening there is not much to do ... or walking in the small port of Patitiri or goes in charming old town.
There are bus connections but if you are a couple of people waiting at the stop should agree together and take a taxi, the ride costs € 5.
With the scooter is better to do then too late to return, the street has a very bad light and sometimes missing.
The old town has all its charm ... is small, on a promontory with a spectacular and after dusk effect is look into the distance and see that the only light is given only by the moon reflected on water. ... unforgettable.
There are local crafts shops, restaurants and a couple of places to eat and drink, cakes or pies strictly listening to Greek music.
After the peaceful and relaxing Alonnissos we moved, again by hydrofoil to Skopelos (I seem to remember that the ticket costs about € 14).
Even here on our arrival we found proponents rooms and we are facing an elderly greek who knows how long it goes and there which has brought to his hotel, just outside the village, where we stayed for 4 days always paying 25 € per night, large room with huge bed, not brand new but functional bathroom, balcony and air conditioning needed.
Skopelos has a nice long walk and the harbor full of restaurants, cafes, shops of all kinds but it is beautiful 'lost' even in the alleys that lead inside.
Here again we rented the scooter's wrong led to discover the beaches of Stafilos, Limnonari and beautiful Panormos.
Usually we organize ourselves to lunch or a classic Greek salad or fruit ... so we recovered the evening.
The paradox is that to make a lunch and spend € 10 for a grilled sea bream (choice at the bar) with contour pay € 7?
If you like greek yogurt there is nothing better than starting the morning with a nice fruit salad with yogurt and honey aftertaste of Skopelos has almost pine, the taste is unique as are the pancakes covered with honey balls .. honey .... a show and it says a person who makes us a little honey!
Good coffee or cappuccino I've found very few ... and honestly I preferred to take the greek coffee, not being filtered at least has taste of coffee, otherwise go for more coffee shake Nestcaffè.
Skopelos After we went to Skiathos, always by hydrofoil.
From the port we met Georgia's wrong lead in his home with 43 € and we slept in a room completely renovated and equipped with a kitchenette ... the best accommodation ever ... the initial price was 47 € but Louis if you need always able to get some discount.
Skiathos is the most touristic island of Sporades and therefore also the most expensive.
Bella is beautiful but we are a bit 'refractory casino tourists ... and here there are many ... and we were in early July!
Once we went rented a scooter to explore the famous island of Skiathos.
Beaches and bays are located on almost every corner of the island and all easily accessible.
We had read that the beach of Koukounaries was the most beautiful of the Sporades and so we proceed directly there.
Koukounaries is one of the few sandy beaches, rich vegetation, emerald waters and very well equipped ... but it was super crowded!
The context is really nice but after two hours could not wait to go away because of loud music, people screaming, water is not very clear and very tight spaces .... all other size compared to Agios Dimitrios or Panormos!
After this unpleasant experience we decided to divert to explore less accessible beaches.
One day we ventured to discover Mandraki ... almost an hour and a half of dirt road ... with the constant fear of falling from the scooter!
Once in Mandraki we felt like the feeling of being survivors of a shipwreck ... there was nothing ... just sand and sea ... a spectacular and fortunately a tavern!
On the way back we found a sign for the beach of Agios Eleni and necessarily left after the scooter on the road we followed the directions to take to the beach, get off easy but it is hard to get a bit '... we arrived in This small cove with golden sand, equipped with a bar and in total there were only six thatched umbrellas and 12 chairs.
The beaches are certainly very nice but the discomfort is that it takes three hours to reach them and most importantly for me, are you three hours of anxiety!
The last two days at sea we passed on the golden sands of Banana Beach .. less crowded but equally beautiful.
The islands of Greece are still a popular affordable cost, the higher expenses were those related to the movement but to sleep and eat you spend really silly!