Picture of the month
To all our friends
Kalo mina! Kali xronia! Today is the first day of the Orthodox year, so we wish all our friends a happy new year!
Weather in Skopelos
September 8, 2010, 1:46 pm
Sunny
Sunny
26°C
real feel: 33°C
current pressure: 1016 mb
humidity: 60%
wind speed: 0 m/s CLM
wind gusts: 0 m/s
sunrise: 7:00
sunset: 19:45
 
Our island, Our future
In an age of greater awareness of the negative impact pollution has on our planet, tourism is one of the main culprits: transportation, over-development and depletion of natural resources help to make sure it is not an environmentally-friendly industry. Skopelos relies on tourism and is faced with these issues -- while attempting to maintain its own cultural heritage and a clean living environment. Madro Travel has a policy of raising the awareness of holiday makers to things they can do here on Skopelos which can make a ‘real’, and positive, difference to the destination and the people living here. As an agency, we wish to actively encourage discussion on and participation in sustainable activities on Skopelos. Madro Travel aims to promote "sustainable tourism." (nature and wildlife activities), ecotourism (promoting yet protecting natural areas from mass-tourism and development), and agrotourism (educational holidays in agriculture and culture to sustain rural population). In these ways, tour operators, local businesses and visitors alike can genuinely appreciate and respect the culture and natural landscape of our island. A holiday spent exploring the countryside and villages, learning about the production of local cuisine and crafts can be a refreshing and rewarding break from city life. The informed traveller can also be directly contributing to the sustainable tourism effort by supporting the communities working to preserve their local traditions. Remember, if we all work together, our message will reach more people, change more minds, and touch more hearts.
SPECIAL OFFER!
Agnontas Villas has a special discount offer! Please email us for details!
Thought for the day
Honesty is the best policy. - Aesop (c.620-560 BC)

Chill December brings the sleet,
Blazing fire and Christmas treat.


Christmas customs begin on Christmas Eve on Skopelos, when early in the morning the children of Skopelos knock on the doors of houses and shops to sing Christmas Carols and bang metal triangles. The Christmas dining table is specially decorated with the traditional 'kourambiedes' (Kourabiedes are a traditional Greek butter cookies made for special occasions like Christmas. They are  covered with icing sugar and are a favourite among Greeks)  and 'melomacarona' (which are honey cakes).

The bread baked especially for Christmas is called 'Christopsomo'. On Christmas day, the father of the family crosses the bread with a knife and offers each member of the family a piece whilst wishing them 'Xronia Polla!'


Public holidays in December:

Christmas Day

25 December

St Stephen's Day

26 December


MANY YEARS!  XRONIA POLLA! MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA!

Name days in December:

December 2 Miropi

December4 Barbara

December 5  Savvas

December 6  Nicholas

December 7 Athinadoros

December 12  Spiridon, Fionan

December 13  Orestes

December 15  Elevtherios

December 19  Aglaia

December 22  Anastasia

December 23  Anatoli

December 24  Eugenia

December 26  Iosif

December 27  Stefanos

December 28  Dymosthenes