We all love a family holiday. You just cannot beat quality time with the people you love. 

We’ve had weekends away, and days out but it had been twelve….yes twelve years since I last had a holiday abroad with my mum.

Let’s get to know who’s who…

Mum- now for those who know me I often call my mum Grandma…only for the reason that she has grandchildren. It’s sort of an annoyance and she really doesn’t like it, but it’s got to the point where it’s now word vomit and it just comes out.

Craig-mums partner…deserves a medal for putting up with our strange ways.

Cameron-my little brother (he’s 15 and towers over most of our family, and has the most amazing sense of humour).

Introductions over…We are off to the Greek island of Skopelos.

Skopelos is mainly known for the filming of Mamma Mia.

Before we jet off to Skopelos we are spending the night in Newcastle. We thought with Newcastle been a two and half hour drive from us, and we needed to be at the airport for 6am that a little spa night wouldn’t go a miss.

Night at the Holiday Inn Gosforth Park, Newcastle. Close to the motorway, the metro centre and the airport it’s a great location for an early start.

We arrive at around 4pm and I get off to use the gym for a quick run while the others have a dip in the pool. We then make full use of the pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi before heading off to the Metro centre for an evening meal.

We’re supposed to be having an early night but I just have the giggles so much I am crying with laughter in bed, whilst mum is trying to read the same sentence because I’m distracting her. 

Tired myself out so much apparently I was out like a light having a little dream before I knew it.

5am and it’s alarm wars…both mine and mums alarms are buzzing and beeping. Up out of bed and ready to go, we call the boys hotel room to see how they’re doing and surprise surprise they’re not ready (this is quite normal). 

Checked in at the airport and we are flying to Skiathos. 

Skiathos is also a Greek island and also smaller than Skopelos, however Skiathos has flatter land to accommodate a short runway whereas Skopelos does not.

The journey

Once at Skiathos airport we are greeted by our James Villa rep Cherry….she’s a delight. Fresh faced, welcoming and warm and ready to take us to catch the flying dolphin ferry. A almost hovercraft like speedboat that will take us to Skopelos island.

Once at Skopelos we were greeted by another chap who works for a company called Dolphin. These are literally the most organised company and reps I have ever dealt with, we can not sing their praises enough. Smart gentleman waiting for us at the dock to hand over our hire car….yes we’re crazy enough to drive in Greece. We have a villa in the mountains so it’s kind of necessary to get around.

We were greeted with a Hyundai Atom…yes for four people, four suitcases, and two rucksacks. I can only describe it as a scene out of the inbetweeners. It was truly an experience.

We knew we had a very narrow hill to drive up to get to the villa but we didn’t expect it to be the width of the car literally. The dolphin gentleman was so right when he said you’ll love the little car by the end of the week. 

Test drive at the dock complete and onto the villa.With an inch or so to spare at either side of the car we made it to the villa…..after a few wrong turns. It’s all in the experience.

On approaching the villa we were greeted with a pomegranate tree and a huge almond tree in which the villa is named after. 

“Almond Tree Villa”

The villa is Newley refurbished, clean, homely and welcoming. The pool sits just at the cliff edge making it the perfect place to sip your filtered morning coffee, and have a read of your book, whilst glancing at the breathtaking view of the white and blue buildings across the mountain. 

Did I mention that it’s paramount to have inflatables in the pool?…I’m sure you all know this. Meet Florence and Unity (a bargain £10 each from Primark).

The first day we decided to just settle into our surroundings. Me and Cameron tested out the inflatables and the pool, and mum and Craig went to find the local supermarket for dinner.

The sunshine was bliss.

When you work hours like me, mum and Craig do, coming to places like this is such a pleasure. It takes me less than 12 hours to zone out and just concentrate on family time and resting from the daily grind.

Me and mum are early risers, we like to make the most of times like this. So I welcome you to our book club. 

7.30am the sunbeds are placed in direction of the sunrise, we have our books at the ready, and there is nothing but the sound of birds to disturb us.

A couple of hours later and mum rustles up a breakfast on the balcony of toast, jam, chocolate spread, yoghurt, fruit, juice and filtered coffee. 

I mean just look at the view. Priceless!

Today we are off to a beach called Milia for a healthy dose of Greek sunshine and to see if we can see some fish. Snorkels are out.

The sea here is a multitude of turquoise tones which is unreal. The colours are stunning.
Through the narrow cobble streets, up steep hills and sharp turns. You find some commercialised shops selling the usual trinkets to take home, but also authentic shops such as herb and spice shops, butchers, bakery’s, and hair salons. Been a hairdresser by trade I am intrigued to see people still at work so late, but the salon is full. 

You will not be disappointed walking these streets, they are just so picturesque. I mean just look up and you will find vines of fresh grapes hanging above you, Greek families and business associates having coffee and chatting. 

The atmosphere is very relaxed, no pressurising promoters, just people simply enjoying their evening.

When you stay in the mountains in a villa you sort of have to expect to live with wildlife. Whilst in a resturaunt one day a waiter brought over some burning Greek coffee….yes I can imagine your question why? Well apparently they don’t like it, now it’s debatable wether or not it’s the coffee they don’t like or the smoke it gives off, but either way it works. Great if you are staying somewhere remote.

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If your looking for a resturaunt that is genuinely Greek, with amazing food and outstanding service, you need to visit Muses. Sat on the front of the water overlooking the port it’s very calm with a great family feel.  

Take a walk to the port and up the cobble streets, steep steps and clusters of white buildings, you will discover a priceless view of the Aegean Sea.

Okay we need to talk Mamma Mia!

If you are willing to brave the drive….hats off to you! I hold no prisoners, you are in for a hairy ride…with cliff edges of at least 100ft and a road barely wide enough for one car, it’s not for the faint hearted. However it is totally worth it. 

Surprisingly the Greeks have sensibly installed safety railing on the steep walk upto the church at the top of the rock, and trust me they are needed. 

With a couple of hundred steps to climb you need to be in something cool and take a good supply of water. Fear not on returning back down you can reward yourself with an ice cold refreshment at the small taverna on the road, but if your planning on staying up on the cliff for some time take water. 

The views are breathtaking, you could sit up there for hours gazing at the sea with the sun glistening off it. 
Boat trip day!

This was my favourite day. Hopped on the boat at 9am, perched ourselves on the sun deck at the top of the boat ready for a day out.

The boat trip includes….two snorkelling stops, one of which you can explore around a shipwreck, you also get to sunbathe on a pebble beach for an hour whilst the crew rustle up lunch. Lastly you get to travel to the island of Alonnisos. 

Alonnisos was super pretty. Extremely picturesque, however a lot more commercialised than Skopelos. Very good place to stay if you like a mixture of atmosphere’s.

We had a coach trip upto the old village of Hayiati where the views are breathtaking, old ruins have been turned into tavernas, and there are trinket shops around every corner, it’s a delight. 

I would say Hayiati is a sleepy village and a very beautiful one. So glad we got to explore here. The tour guides take you around the village, and give you some history, and then you have an hour to explore before returning to the boat. 

On returning from the boat trip at 6pm we decided to grab a quick tea….Gryos! A simple pitta or wrap with your choice of meat, tzatziki, and chips. I would say this is a Greek takeaway, quick and super yummy. 

We haven’t yet spoken about baklava…if you haven’t had this, it’s a must! Layers of filo pastry soaked in honey with layers of nuts, it is a very sweet and sugary desert but one that is worth the extra toothbrushing I promise. Don’t let your eyes be bigger than your belly though the small 2 inch square below may not look like much of a portion, but I couldn’t even finish that! It’s an amazing dessert. 

If your not going to Greece, get yourself to M&S and buy some.

It’s all about the food…..so have some frozen Greek yoghurt.

Sunsets….

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Skiathos

The last day. 

6.30am start, drop the hire car off at 7.30am and hop on the flying dolphin at 7.50am. This boat ride takes a little longer as it stops off to pick up more passengers at another island…I’m not complaining as I have three seats to myself.

We then arrive in Skiathos where we are met by the lovely Cherry again. Cherry takes up to cafe Meltema, this is a cafe designated to James villa and dolphin customers. You can leave your luggage here and go and explore, or simply sit and have a bit to eat. We had 3 hours to kill so we went to explore. Skiathos isn’t for me I’ll be totally honest, after having such a peaceful week on a calm island, Skiathos was just too in your face for me. 



On arriving back at the airport prepare yourself for long queue. Whilst in the queue we noticed the departure on our flight was not as expected. No one told us there may be a possibility that we had two take offs and two landings! Due to Skiathos having a short runway it seems that if the flight is full they can’t take off with a full tank of fuel, so on occasions they need to refuel at another airport which bumps up the journey time home by quite a lot. Especially when you have a three hour drive home from the airport still, but the flight was good.

All in all a spectacular family holiday, one I will never forget. Quality time at its best.

Thankyou Mum, Craig and Cameron for the fab company and memories.

Thankyou to James Villas and Dolphin for the impeccably organised holiday. 

xXx

Things to remember…

• Hire a car
• Take a go pro
• Don’t follow your phone for a sat nav whilst there, use a tourist map
• Dolphin are the best company here
• Villa rented via James Villas
• Almond Tree Villa
• Wet shoes
• Gryos are a must
• Boat trip to Alonnisos 
• Visit Mamma Mia Rock
• Explore as many beaches as possible