Skiathos holidays

Skiathos is a foodie paradise, with something to suit every taste and budget. Traditional and international cuisine is prepared with passion and love using the finest local ingredients. You must try the traditional macaroons called "amygdalota", which means almond in Greek, as well as the "spoon sweets", small portions of candied fruit or almonds. Skiathos pies are well worth trying, especially the 'hortopita' version, full of herbs and flavour. Visit the small traditional shops dotted around the towns and villages to buy homemade wines, liqueurs and honey. When you're ready for more hearty fare, you won't want to miss the freshly caught fish and seafood, and it would be criminal to leave without trying at least one portion of souvlaki or gyros.

During your trip to Skiathos, you're likely to come across Ouzo, an aniseed-flavoured spirit. Found in almost every bar and taverna, it accompanies meze and small plates of food and serves as an apéritif. Another Skiathos favourite is Retsina, a local wine served chilled, which can be found not only in bars and restaurants, but also in the fridges of local supermarkets. In addition, there are over seventy brands of local wine, so you should be able to find one to suit your palate. Stronger local drinks include ouzo vodka, grape vodka, grappa and metaxa cognac, all of which are very popular with the locals.

The traditional dance of Skiathos is the Kamara. Performed exclusively by women wearing dresses derived from Greek folklore, the dance consists of joining hands and moving in a cyclical fashion. Originating in the festivals held in Kastro, once the capital, it is now performed in the cobbled streets of Skiathos, on the occasion of Easter and the feast of Agios Georgios. The dance is a joyous celebration accompanied by local instruments and usually the song 'The Bridge of Arta', which tells the story of a bridge built in one day and destroyed the same night. Each part of the dance is interwoven with the words and melodies of the song and music, creating a harmonious scene.

Skiathos has no truly indigenous or unique sport, but there is a definite love of outdoor activities and, of course, a passion for football, which can be seen on TV in many of the island's bars. All the usual water-based activities can be enjoyed, including windsurfing and kite surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. There is also a well-established sailing community that takes advantage of the proximity of many neighbouring islands. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, the island has many well-maintained walking and hiking trails.

Shopping is probably not the first reason you would choose to holiday in Skiathos, and for good reason, there are no shopping centres. However, you will inevitably want to buy a few small souvenirs of your visit and there are plenty of small shops and markets where you can bargain for your souvenirs. A popular choice is locally-produced olive oil, which you can buy in original bottles shaped like amphorae or Greek figures. Retsina wine, which can be found in the fridges of most supermarkets, is another popular gift idea, as is local coffee, which is delicious to take home. As well as food and drink, the island also sells handmade jewellery, trinkets and religious icons, as well as fur and lace items.