Hi! I stayed at the La Luna in September last year. the rooms are virtually of hotel standard and spotlessly clean.They are in a peaceful location so you will not be kept awake by traffic noise and they have great views over Troulos bay and have a great swimming pool and pool bar where breakfasts are served after 0900 and snacks are available all day. Dimitris the manager runs a barbeque every Sunday night and it is great fun. the bar will stay open until the last guest leaves.
We only stayed for a week but wished we could have had 2!
The only downside of La Luna is that it is set at the top of a short steep hill so it is not reccommended if you have walking difficulties (unless you have a car) Otherwise you will certainly be a little fitter on your return home!

John

I went to Skiathos in 2005 and stayed at the Taxiarchis which is a family run accommodation and all the family help out!! They even gave everyone a small momento of their stay as they were leaving....very friendly indeed. The rooms are situated just out of the centre of Skiathos town but within a couple of minutes walk to Papdiamantis street which is the pedestrianised street leading down to the port/harbour. There are plenty of shops and bars along here and at the top of the street is one of the best retaurants I have ever eaten in in Greece called "Polikratis" restaurant...wonderful....highly reccommended!!! Going back to Taxiarchis rooms , if you walk the opposite way from Papadiamantis street across the road, you come to the town beach of Megali Ammos, a lovely sandy beach overlooked by several lovely bars.
As regards the flights....yes Skiathos lives up to its reputation for having one of the smallest runways I have ever come across. As a result most planes cannot take off with a full tank of fuel and have to touch down to fill up usually at Kavala or Volos. However we flew on an Astreus airways flight and because the planes are smaller they didn't need the refuelling stop!! Unfortunately they can't extend the runway as it runs from the sea at one side to the sea at the other!! Don't let that put you off though....it is a lovely island with plenty of opportunity for island hopping to Skopelos and Alonissos - both within easy reach by ferry.
Kath

I found this whic will give you some idea of the size of the runway.................It's a bit like landing on an aircraft carrier!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJzby8tWvfw Enjoy!

John

Girlfriend has nothing to worry about, Runway is fine - Airbus A319 A320, Boeing 737, 757 operate there normally. Years ago it used to be fun, only problems are rain or low cloud just like Kefalonia.
The pilot will "land" the aircraft so you will get a thump and plenty of reverse thrust. They can not do gliding landings on skiathos and if you are not down in the first third of the runway they go round again.

There were plans to extend at Xanemos end of the runway and put in a taxiway and new aircraft parking but this has not happened yet. Aircraft limited to three on the ground at any one time so you may have to circle over Skopolos if someone is late out of departures.

Most aircraft refuel on way back due to load factors, but 757 can return tanked and fully loaded non stop. Refueling by XL tales place at Kavala, Lemnos or Volos, First choice & Thomas cook at Thessaloniki.
If aircraft are not full for return leg, they can refuel at Skiathos and return non stop.

Island is currently covered with fragrant blue wisteria and spring flowers everywhere. Tavernas were open over Easter and its a great place to be in May.

Have not stayed at any of those listed but Amalia is said to have very lively pool parties.

Have not stayed in any of those but been to Skiathos a few times and stayed in town. Have heard good reports on Taxiarchis. and they are in town. Saying that no where is that far on the bus but I think it would be better for you to stay in town for the bars and tavernas on an evening and just bus or water taxi the beaches during the day. We did this and it was fine, every bus stop is a beach, the furthest only about half an hour away.

Found this rather good pic of the airport....but don't show it to the girlfriend if she is likely to get a bit worried!!!

http://www.hcaa-eleng.gr/ska1_photo.htm

Kath

Take a look from the flight deck - its the best view of the lot
Just remember its not a good idea to watch the aircraft tooclosely from the end of the runway

Excellent pictures. I hate flying but always found it relaxing at Skiathos to think that the nice, soft sea was at the end of the runway instead of a mountain.

Highly recommend La luna - stayed there last year.

When eating out go to Ambrosia & necter which is about 10 min walk from Luna.

As for the landing and take off - it looks worse than it is - i am a nervous flyer and I was petrified when i saw it but Skiathos Island is so nice that I would cope with it again!

Thanks everyone! I have booked La Luna via First Choice and got a very good deal for the middle of May - £190 per person.

The airport landing does look a bit scary, i will just get my girlfriend a few glasses of wine on the plane so she doesnt notice it

When you get there have a loook for the Gloucester Rugby scarf that hopefully will be hung up around the bar along with many others and say Hi to Dimitries & Rula from Neil, Sarah & Girls - we sent the scarf out with another visitor later in the year as my partner was upset there was a Bath scarf there and no Glos!

Do hire a car and go around the island - i did write a review and there was one beach we recommended whcih had a steep track (you had to walk down once parked) to it but it was beautifull. Menai agelosssi or something (look on a map) - there is another one with a similar name which is bigger before you get to this one but don't go to that one as it gets packed when the tour boats descend. The small one had a shack with a real sweet guy that sold drinks and fruit, the beach was lovely and clean and cos its quite a trek down a steep track few people went there although there were beds and parasols. You drive round past the dogs shelter 9worth a visit) and dribve on for 10 mins max til you see some blue paint on side of cliff and on road with some arrows, park there and you will find the track down!

Dimitri and Rula will probably be married now. I believe they were tying the knot in Athens in January!

John