BRINGING YOUR HOLIDAY IDEAS TO LIFE!
Island-Hop in Style with Santikos Collection
Combine a pair of gorgeous Greek retreats on a dreamy two-island trip in the spectacular Sporades
Famous for being the breath-taking backdrop to smash hit movie Mamma Mia, the Sporades archipelago will leave you starry-eyed with their natural beauty. Set your sights on Skiathos and Alonnisos for an idyllic island-hopping holiday, with a pause at picturesque Skopelos along the way. Each island has its own unique character and charm, from the dazzling sandy beaches and bustling Old Town of Skiathos to the tranquil, unspoiled appeal of Alonnisos. Family-run Santikos Collection runs some of the loveliest luxury hotels in Greece, with two swoon-worthy Sporades retreats: the stylish Skiathos Princess and the elegant Marpunta Resort on Alonnisos.
Princess Resort Skiathos
Beaches and Boutiques on Skiathos
It may be just 12 miles long, but Skiathos boasts over 60 pristine beaches, from wide sweeps of powder-soft sand to secret coves reached only by pine-shaded footpaths. The island’s photogenic hub is Skiathos Town, with its cobbled lanes and lively tavernas spilling along the waterfront. Perfectly positioned for both beachy bliss and easy excursions into town, Skiathos Princess has sweeping views over the sheltered bay of Agia Paraskevi, with its arc of pale-gold sand.
The look at this five-star retreat is laidback but luxurious, contemporary but comfortable. Guests return year after year for the meticulous service and warm welcome – it’s family-run and the attention to detail is clear. There are two pools, a sleek spa and a wonderful kids’ club, along with spacious rooms decked out in soothing neutral hues. Don’t miss an evening meal at PR Ammos, the hotel’s breezy beachfront taverna dishing up modern Greek fare with flair.
The hotel is just five miles from town, making it easy to head off for an evening aperitif in one of the lively bars, or a spot of shopping in the artisanal boutiques and art galleries. Fancy exploring? Hire a car and head to some of the island’s historic sites, such as the hilltop monastery of Moni Evangelistras with its wine-making monks (don’t miss tasting a sample).
Marpunta Resort Alonissos
Nature and Tranquillity on Alonnisos
From Skiathos, board a ferry to the unspoiled island of Alonnisos. It’s around a two-hour journey, but it’s worth stopping off for lunch at sleepy Skopelos along the way. The postcard-pretty port of Skopelos Town hugs a horseshoe-shaped harbour, with narrow lanes threading between terracotta-roofed houses. Bag a table at a taverna and drink in the view from a vine-shaded terrace. The island is known for its fruit and almond orchards – try one of the local specialties such as sautéed veal with koromila (local plums).
Continue onwards to Alonnisos, a pristine island cloaked in pine forests and sweet-scented wild herbs. Encircled by Europe’s largest marine reserve, its turquoise waters home to endangered Mediterranean monk seals, turtles and three species of dolphin. There’s even an underwater museum, where divers can get up close to a shipwreck from 425 BC. Set on a private peninsula on the island’s southwest coast, Marpunta Resort feels gloriously secluded but is within easy reach of the best beaches. Built in the style of a traditional fisherman’s village, its white-washed buildings peek out from clouds of fuchsia bougainvillea. Inside, the look is simple but supremely stylish: sleek light-flooded rooms with colour pops of turquoise and tangerine. There’s a shimmering pool, tennis court, yoga and paddleboards for exploring the azure coves near the hotel.
The scuba-diving here is some of the best in the Med. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the sport, Marpunta can organise tours. Even children can take part, with a special Bubble Maker Experience designed to give them a taste of underwater magic. Prefer to stay on dry land? Alonnisos is famous for homeopathy, with over a thousand different types of wild herbs. Discover their uses on a guided, four-hour herbal hike. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Marpunta’s beachside restaurant, with just-caught lobster on the menu and a barefoot-chic vibe. Or dress up for dinner high on the bluff above the bay, with modern Med dishes and a side order of sunset views.
Classic Collection (0800 008 7288; www.classic-collection.co.uk) offers 5 nights at Skiathos Princess Hotel and 4 nights at Marpunta Resort, Alonissos from £2125 per person. Price based on 2 adults sharing on a B&B basis and includes return flights with hold luggage, private transfers and ferry crossings. Depart London Gatwick 31 May 2023.
• Santikos Collection is a family hotel group that was founded in 1984 on the island of Alonissos. Since then, four hotel units have been added, with the fifth member welcoming its first guest in June 2019. Passion and persistence have created a group of hotels that combines elegance with the legacy of every place, lifestyle and culture.
Believing that a hotel can only exist in harmony with the environment and the local community, the mission of Santikos Collection is to promote and strengthen the local community and its products together with the unique experience offered by each hotel.
