Skiathos Holiday Highlights

We're back from the Greek island of Skiathos. It's a lovely relaxing break for those who like good food, boats, pretty scenery, and, if you have kids, safe swimming in calm turquoise waters.
Skiathos is tiny, around seven miles long, and there isn't much in the way of historical artifacts and ruins, or much to do if the weather is bad --- which it was for our first two days  (unheard of!).

There are a couple of musts: go on a Mamma Mia cruise, which will take you to the nearby island of Skopelos where most of the film was made, and you can climb the steps to the church. And, for Mamma Mia overload, watch the film in the open air cinema in Skiathos - a fun experience. Hiring a boat will give you access to some beautiful and deserted beaches which are not easily accessed by road.

Skirt and sandals: Marks & Spencer; top: Warehouse; bag, Accessorize

The Food

We always stay on a bed and breakfast basis when we go on a summer holiday - quite challenging to find nowadays because most hotels want to lock you in with all-inclusive or half board. At the Kassandra Bay Resort & Spa it's very easy to get into the main town - a few minutes on a water taxi from the beach. We also dined a few times in the resort's a la carte restaurant, which was excellent. On the beach at Vassilias there's a newly opened taverna called Rada, owned by the people who run Olive Thea. We had lunch there a few times - very good fresh seafood - and I was disappointed to miss Goldie Hawn, who was there one day (she owns a villa on the island).

Some of the best restaurants in Skiathos Town are owned by expats and although they're a little more pricey than the tavernas, they do have very good food and wine. I recommend The Windmill, and booking the honeymoon table well in advance; this is a table just for two, high up in the windmill with fantastic views. The staff approach the table via two wooden doors that fly open like a Punch and Judy show.

The Final Step and the lively Italian / Greek restaurant Lo & La are also fantastic: the Final Step also gives great views over the bay, and Lo & La overlooks the busy old port where you can watch the water taxis arriving and admire the private yachts.

Crispy calamari starter at The Windmill Restaurant, Skiathos

Beautiful beetroot and apple starter at The Windmill restaurant,. Skiathos

The Olive Thea restaurant is very high up in the hills (below) so you have the most amazing views, plus it is very beautiful with its table linen, crockery and lanterns. Their driver will pick you up and take you back which is very handy because it would be difficult to find.

Fantastic views at Olive Thea

Strawberry millefeuille, Olive Thea, Skiathos

Shrimp salad starter at the Kassandra Bay Resort a la carte restaurant 

The Boats

From my sunbed on the beach I used binoculars to watch the various ships passing by. I knew all the different times when I could expect the streamlined Aegean Flying Dolphin and Flying Cat 4, or the big hulks of the Hellenic Seaways and Aqua ferries. Most of these vessels are travelling between Skiathos and the neighbouring islands of Skopelos and Ionissos, plus Thessaloniki and Volos, the second city.

A huge bonus which gave me great excitement was the arrival of Europa 2, voted the world's best cruise liner. This luxury German cruise liner dropped anchor in the bay and stayed all day, with motorized boats going backwards and forwards with passengers. Its very good website gave me the schedule for the 10 day cruise and even a webcam.

The picture was taken quite a way away, from our hotel balcony.

The Outfits

Mr Mutton was pressed into service to photograph each evening's outfit and I shared these on Instagram. Skiathos is quite a casual island but I like to dress up just a bit for dinner, even if it sometimes makes me stand out like a sore thumb! Here's a selection of the outfits. There's a "special" to come on July 3 for the next #5Over50 Challenge.

left to right: jeans, Boden; gold mules, Marks & Spencer; top, Warehouse. Rose gold sequin top and cream skirt, both old; print trousers, Marks and Spencer, blue chiffon top Coast (old); duck egg blue print top, Asos, sandals Marks and Spencer (old) and white jeans, Boden. Sunglasses: Ray Ban.

The Cats

When we were at Kassandra Bay last year we were acquainted with a cat who lives in the grounds and her three kittens. This year it appears she only had one black and white kitten, but another mature female was there too with her lively litter of two or three. John managed to snap them in their hiding place  (he isn't a cat person by the way).

The Stone

When we were reunited with our favourite front row position on the beach, I was amazed to find The Stone was still resting by the two sun beds. Over the next few days, we weren't always able to get those two sun beds and the stone demonstrated its many uses. Below, in a children's sand castle.

It was handy as a foot rest, and also to prop my Kindle on when I was lying on my front. It was also used as a weight to make sure towels didn't fly off the sun bed.

Sharing this post with Style with a Smile at Style Splash, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Fabulous Friday at A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Fashion Should Be Fun, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, and Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style.

Finally, if you're wondering where Mr Mutton is, well I'm appalled that we don't have one photo of us together! But here he is, in a shirt which only makes an appearance on holiday.

Mr Mutton relaxes on holiday 

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fashion over 50, Lifestyle, Skiathos