Madro Travel

Skopelos | Greece

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.

The Folklore Museum

We are indebted to the Chairman, Nikos Vakinis, for permission to publish the following information.

The building that houses the Skopelos Folklore Museum today was donated to the town by the Nikolaidis family in 1991. The original old mansion was built in 1795 and the house with its exhibition rooms, gives a great example of life as it might have been in Skopelos over 200 years ago. Visitors to the museum can travel back in time and gain insight into the lifestyle of the mansion’s owners.

With a recent interior facelift of the rooms, the museum exhibits a rich collection of handmade embroideries, traditional costumes and ceramics, all in finest condition. The rooms are decorated just as they once could have been when the family lived there. They are furnished with original hand-carved wooden furniture along with paintings and photographs done by local artists.

On exhibition is the bridal bed-chamber, including the beautiful highly embroidered Skopelos Wedding dress.

The folklore museum has an excellent collection of pottery, knives, true models of small ships, paintings and other fascinating objects made by the islanders.

A small charge is made for admission.