Where to Go - Sporades Islands

• The least populated of the larger islands, Alonnisos is an extremely popular choice for the many day-tripper boats which call from Skiathos and Skopelos. It is a very attractive island and visitors are lured by the charming port, lined with low cliffs which are 'softened' by the many pine trees, a pretty hilltop village and the nearby marine nature reserve which was created to offer protection to the threatened Mediterranean monk seal. It is quite a chic holiday get-away and is fast becoming recognised as just that.
  
  We have been making our annual 'pilgramage' to Alonissos during May, on and off, for the last few years. It is a great island to spend some relaxing time without major crowds around you. I think the best beach on Alonissos is Lakes, as it rarely gets overcrowded and is ideal for a great day in the sun. The windmill at the front of the bay is the landmark of Lakes. I am certain you will love the clean water and the pebbles on the coast. Getting to Lakes from Patitiri is easy as the road is okay.

• Considered by some as the mini-Corfu of the Aegean, Skiathos is arguably the most attractive and certainly the most touristed island in the Sporades. I think Skopelos equals Skiathos for different reason, but the ferry ride puts a lot of people off from visiting it. Skiathos has a delightfully pine-clad terrain, wonderful sandy beaches, a heaveily used airport (primarily by charter flights from northern Europe), and great ferry links.
  
  Sadly, this island that once was considered an upmarket destination, is now being 'damaged' as a consequence of mass tourism. It is mainly the Brits and the Italians who are sending masses of people on their charter holidays, and unfortunately the island is suffering under the 'weight'. It is not the surreal destination it once was. One popular area in Skiathos is Koukounaries, where the beach sand is a light golden colour and the water is clean. The beach in front of the Skiathos Palace resort is very clean and the water is ideal for swimming (no sudden drops in depth). Dining at the Skiathos Palace hotel can be a pleasant experience, but the price is a little higher than average but when we went there the food was excellent.

• The second largest island in the Sporades group, Skopelos has less 'sparkle' than its neighbour, Skiathos. The beaches differ in that most are pebbly rather than sandy (which we prefer, although I guess a sandy beach was better when we had the kids to entertain), there is less opportunity for sightseeing and the town has far less going on (again, which we now prefer). I would suggest it is a better choice for older couples or those without children.
  
  Even so, it's a very attractive island - and like Skiathos it is clad in pine forests and, thanks to a flatter terrain, it has more agriculture also. With the improved ferry links to Skiathos and its airport, Skopelos is seeing a rising demand from tourists and the charter companies are moving in; they are promoting the island as an ideal quiet 'family holiday' destination.
  
  As the appeal of the over-touristed Skiathos wanes and the internet becomes more and more prevelant in people's live, there is also a rise in independent travellers who are looking for their very own tiny piece of paradise.

• Peristera also Aspro, locally Xero (meaning dry) is a Greek island and is the smallest of the Sporades. It is administratively part of the municipality of Alonnisos and is also directly east of the island of Alonissos. The 1991 census read three inhabitants making it the one of the smallest municipal district in the Northern Sporades. The tiny settlement became abandoned in the mid to late-1990s. The 2001 census reported a population of five inhabitants.
  
  It is the closest islet to Alonissos with lovely sandy coves. Campers are tolerated only on one beach known as “Barbecue Bay”, where fires are allowed. Remains of an old castle can be seen in Peristera. The islet has two natural harbours: Peristeri and Vasiliko. As far as I understand there is currently no accommodation available on this Sporades Greek island, but it is worth a day trip. 

• Skyros is a remote gem of a Sporades Greek island, located east of Evia and offers an appealing mix of being one of the best examples of Cycladic-style Choras and a history intertwined with a rich mix of everything from transvestism and a Greek Excalibur to pirates and poets. Its popularity is thwarted by the fact that it has limited quality beaches and it is off the 'beaten track'; it is too far from the regular ferry routes for most holidaymakers. Indeed, out of high season, there are no ferries at all.
  
  Although large, it can seem like two islands - the tiny bays, rolling farmlands and pine forests of the north, versus the barren hills and rugged shoreline of the south. A number of expats, primarily from England and Holland have made Skyros the home of their dreams - you lucky people!