Weather in Skopelos
February 8, 2012, 6:35 am
Cloudy
Cloudy
4°C
real feel: -5°C
current pressure: 101 mb
humidity: 87%
wind speed: 9 m/s NNW
wind gusts: 16 m/s
sunrise: 7:26
sunset: 17:53
 
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.
Thought for the day
Honesty is the best policy. - Aesop (c.620-560 BC)

The Aghios Ioannis Wedding

The Aghios Ioannis  Wedding

Please note, only if both parties are Greek Orthodox, can marriages be performed in this chapel.

On the northern coast of Skopelos  is a small island, formed when part of the cliff fell into the sea. The villagers have built a small chapel, perched on a precipitous rock above and christened it with the name Aghios Ioannis, or  "St. John the Beheaded" . Every year on the 29 August, Mass is celebrated in the chapel to commemorate the life of St John the Baptist.

The legend says that while some fishermen were working on their boats on the beaches next to the sheer rock, they saw a bright light glowing in the sea. They went to investigate and found in the water an icon of Ag Ioannis. Leaving it on the beach, the fishermen returned next day to find it missing, only to discover it once more on top of the rock next to a lighted candle. This became the site of the small monastery that exists today. It was built using nets and pulleys reminiscent of the monasteries at Meteora.

The inside of the chapel is very small and is not the one featured in the film ‘Mamma Mia!’, which was rebuilt in Pinewood Studios following the designs of the small church Panagitsa tou pirgou located on Skopelos harbour.  There are 200 steps to the church, inside of which  is a visitors’ book which you can sign if you wish.

Madro Travel offers you a civil wedding at the base of the rock only, in this package.

Our services:


  • Reservation of date and time
  • Provision of  two witnesses
  • Documentation including licence fees and legal costs for the ceremony
  • Translator during the ceremony (Greek-English or German)
  • Administration and handling fees
  • Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Skopelos
  • Pre wedding meeting to go through all the arrangements for your wedding
  • Wedding supervision
  • Marriage certificate and the translation of marriage certificate into English
  • Postage of certificate to your home address by courier if necessary
  • Wedding ceremony at the base of Aghios Ioannis
  • Transport to and from the wedding location in air-conditioned car, only for the bridal party
  • Bridal bouquet and buttonhole for groom
  • Recorded music during ceremony
  • A bottle of sparkling wine
  • Professional photographer, including CD with photographs
  • Traditional sweets

cost 3250 euro

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