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 4, 2010, 3:32 am
Mostly clear
Mostly clear
20°C
real feel: 20°C
current pressure: 1018 mb
humidity: 45%
wind speed: 2 m/s E
wind gusts: 3 m/s
sunrise: 6:56
sunset: 19:51
 
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)









The island has a population of around 6000, with around 4000 people living in Skopelos town, 1500 in Glossa and Loutraki, and the rest in Elios, Klima and other small settlements on the island. These days most of the population is involved in the tourist industry in one way or other, and this has meant that the younger generations have started to choose to remain on the island, instead of having to go to the mainland to find employment.

There are still many trades being practised and handed down from father to son: for example, there are many carpenters on the island, possibly due to the island's history of boat building, and some are still making the traditional couches and trunks. A sector of the population still takes its income from fishing: fresh fish is sold from small boats (caiques) on the waterfronts of both Skopelos and Loutraki.

It's unusual these days to see islanders dressed in the traditional costume, although a few of the older ladies still wear the full-skirted blue dress with a white blouse. If you are interested in the traditional costumes and generally in learning more about the island's bygone eras, it's worth visiting the town's Folklore Museum. Or come to Skopelos in the winter, during Carnival, when many of the local people wear the clothes of the region.










Scroll over to the right to find out about some famous Skopelites.