Sporades
 

Is there enough to do in the Sporades isles other than beachcombing? I need something to occupy my elderly parents who have no interest in lying on the beach.

Which island(s) are you planning to go to? A few websites to get you started -<BR>www.skopelosweb.gr/english/aksioth.html<BR>www.alonissos.com/index_en.htm<BR>www.agn.gr/hellas/eviaspor/eviaspor.asp

Not sure yet. I am busily reading my Fodor's and will check out these websites. My travel agent has been insisting that we stay at a big resort on Skiathos, but I'm leaning against that.

It is more than ten years I have been there, so I don´t remember any details. Plus I had a ten year old with me, so definitely there were beach days. I remember I liked Skopelos over Skiathos. We stayed in a small ** hotel, and because it was brand new and fresh, the lack of ********** did not matter at all. <BR><BR>We made a day trip to Alonyssos (?), and I remember the fish soup I had in the harbor village. The best fish soup of my life!<BR><BR>In Skiathos we stayed in a small hotel named Anemone. That too was brand new and right on the beach. Owned by a Danish girl and her Greek husband. Strange, but I still remember their names: Anna and Panagiotis. From Skiathos we made a three day trip to Athens and Delphoi. Your parents could do that, too. Ferry over to Volos, and a rental car or bus to Athens.

Have you thought about renting a villa rather than staying in a hotel? With 4 of you, it shouldn't be too expensive and gives you more freedom and privacy than a hotel and often better locations, plus you often get a &quot;free &quot; hire car thrown in for exploring. A few operators who I know rent villas in the Sporades are<BR><BR>http://www.elysianholidays.co.uk/<BR>http://www.simpson-travel.com/<BR>http://www.vch.co.uk/villas/<BR>http://www.simply-travel.com/default.asp<BR><BR>These are all UK-based operators, who offer packages with flights from the UK, but I think they are flexible and will quote for accommodation only if you're flying from somewhere else. I've only travelled with the last 2 and both are very good. Simpsons was started up this year by the ex-MD of Simply, so I imagine they will offer equally good properties and service. No personal experience of Elysian, but having seen their brochure, they certainly look good.<BR>