Baby goats in springtime
Mules at work
Wine making on Skopleos
If the visitor who is tired of urban life wants rest and relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Skopelos, he will certainly have a good time, but such a visitor will not get to know the island or understand much of the life of its people. He will be a tourist, taking away with him an impression of a pine-clad island with beautiful scenery -- but anyone who has seen 'Mamma Mia!' will have that. (And don't worry - Skopelos has taken the film in its stride and remained uncommercialised and untouched by tawdry fame through it all!)
So why come to Skopelos, an island without an airport, that can only be approached by sea, with all the inconvenience that being at the mercies of the weather and the vagaries of the ferry companies bring?
There are two reasons already! Getting here is an adventure in itself, one well rewarded by your first glimpse of the town with its striking Byzantine churches crowning the sheer cliffs as you round the headland from the open sea. More popular islands take charter planes and many beaches are busy. Ferries get you off the main tourist trail and to the more peaceful and sleepy Greek island holiday - a holiday enjoyed by the true traveller.
Travellers immerse themselves in places and cultures. Like the first ever travellers – the pilgrims - there is a reason and a purpose for their trip. They make new friends and laugh and argue about life with local people. The traveller broadens his or her mind, sees their lives through others eyes, and gains new perspectives. They return home with experiences that have shaped their values. The tourist reinforces their existing preconceptions, gets a tan, and comes home a little poorer.
So how do we become travellers?
Travellers fully experience places, rather than merely observing them. To do this, they must first accept them. Fully accepting a place and genuinely observing it will mean we can truly experience it.
Watch how people interact, learn some words of the local language and take every opportunity to experience new things. Be in your world, rather than on it and live in the moment. What a wonderful feeling it is when we can't remember what day it is and have no idea of the time or concrete plans for tomorrow!
The way to real discovery is to remain curious and to go on experiencing and learning. As soon as you've made up your mind about a place or local culture, you become an observer viewing the world through your beliefs, rather than a participant creating new experiences with local people.
When you are really experiencing a place, something very strange will happen.
You will find that it enables you to make a contribution. A contribution to local conversation, a contribution to sharing knowledge and humour, a financial contribution to the local shops and restaurants where you eat and to the local guides that you prefer to use.
In a small way, you will start to belong in the local community. Deep down, all of us seek to belong and to make some kind of a difference. It – rather than material wealth or fame – is what makes us truly happy. Although you might not want to think it, at this point you have become a more responsible traveller. You are having a more real experience, and you are putting something back.
Responsible is derived from the Greek word to respond or react – the responsible traveller has become part of the place and is making a difference. However, in case we get too excited about becoming travellers, let us remember that on the same trip we are sometimes tourists and at other times - depending on our ability to accept a place and truly experience it – we are travellers.
So, the real answer is simple. Come to Skopelos and find something that is fast disappearing elsewhere in Greece - the true experience of Hellas.
This is what Skopelos has to offer: this remarkable island haven of traditional Greek culture with beaches, excellent tavernas and - unlike more southerly islands - verdant countryside.
But these are only a small part of what Skopelos actually consists of. And we at Madro Travel Skopelos will help you to discover the heart of the island from its many fascinating sights and scenery to its ancient history, mythical legends and folklore. We have the strong family ties and the experience to help you leave no stone unturned as we share in your exploration of our favourite spot in the Sporades.
So, whether you are a dedicated Grecophile, an avid sightseer or a sun worshipper, Skopelos can provide a holiday that will be all that you dreamt it could be.
We know. We at Madro Travel welcome true travellers here year after year!