"Optimanage.com"

On "A Place to Visit"

By Adel J. Helou

Stress is the ailment of the time and we are told to combat it by relaxation and by distancing ourselves from the causes of stress. One way of doing this is by taking a long vacation or by simply going on a short trip for a few days. Another way would be to avoid being around stressors whether at home or at work.

In this article a vacation is suggested. A 10 to 15 days trip to the beautiful Greek island of Skiathos in the Aegean Sea will be relaxing. Skiathos is one of the Sporades Islands. Skiathos is one of the four main islands of the Sporades. The other three islands are Skopelos, Alonissos, and Skyros. Skiathos is the closest to the mainland, followed by Skopelos, Alonissos and then comes Skyros. These islands are located north-east of Athens (the capital of Greece). They are East of the city of Volos – the closest main city on the mainland. Looking at a map of Greece, these islands are found about mid-way between Athens and Thessaloniki (a main city in Northern Greece).

Traveling to Skiathos is easy. A visitor can get there by flying directly into Skiathos Airport from Athens Airport or by a bus ride from Athens to Agios Konstantinos followed by a boat ride from Agios Konstantinos to the island of Skiathos.

First thing a visitor notices; whether flying in or arriving by boat, is how green the island of Skiathos is. The island is covered with tall coniferous and evergreen trees – like Pine trees. Skiathos island is greener than any of the better-known Cyclades islands (Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, etc.) that tourists visit more often.

Skiathos Town is the main town on the island and Papadiamantis Street is the main street in town. It runs from the New Port, through town, and up to the end of town where it meets the town’s Ring Road. Along both sides of the street there are coffee houses, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, clothes shops, ice cream parlors, and a couple of supermarkets.

Whether during the day or the evening there is a nice walk that visitors enjoy. It starts at the Main Bus Station in town, and it goes along the New Port (the Paraliakos/waterfront) in the direction of Main Street. At the Cultural and Events Center (Bourtzi) peninsula visitors turn right to continue the walk along the Old Port to the end of the walkway. Across the street from the New Port are restaurants offering Greek and International cuisine. There are also, car rental offices and hotels as well as the Port Authority Office. Across the Old Port there are several cafes/snack bars offering light meals and restaurants offering Greek cuisine and a collection of restaurants specializing in fish and other sea foods.

Starting from the Bus Station, buses take the Ring Road then the main road to the sandy beach called Koukounaries. The bus runs along the southern coast of the island which takes about thirty minutes. Koukounaries is a family sandy beach with clear water.

There are several beaches between Skiathos Town and Koukounaries like Vromolimnos, Agia Paraskevi and Troulos. These are on the south coast. The sea is calmer on these beaches. The bus has usual stops at these beaches. The bus also has more stops at various points for visitors to go to the northern beaches of the island. Visitors will have to walk a distance (15 to 30 minutes) to get to these beaches. Some of the Northern beaches are Elia/Mandraki, Aselinos and Agia Eleni. Lalaria beach is also located on the north coast and can be visited during a day trip around the island by boat.

Visitors to the island can relax on the sunny sandy beaches and can also go on walks around the island. One such walk can start at the Agia Eleni bus stop. Walking towards Agia Eleni beach there is an upward path to the right of the road that would lead to beaches on the north coast of the island. It is always better to walk with a group of friends as it makes it more enjoyable and fun.

The evening in town is lively. Music and dancing spots are found around the Old Port and in town for the young and the young at heart. Enjoying meals and quieter environment can be found in restaurants, pubs/bars, and cafés in town and at both Old and New ports.

Shopping may be better done in the afternoon and evening. This is when the part of Papadiamantis street passing through the town’s shopping area becomes dedicated for pedestrians only, and cars are not allowed.

Skiathos is one spot to visit should you want to relax and charge yourself with positive energy and vigor.

Adel J Helou: is a Business and Life Management Coach. He has more than 15 years of experience in production and operations management. The Author has international professional experience in the Middle East markets. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry and Physics and an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. Mr. Helou has pages on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram: facebook.com/AdelJosephHelouManagementCoach/
linkedin.com/in/adeljosephheloumanagementcoach/
Instagram.com/adel.helou
twitter.com/helou_adel
Read about his Management Coaching and the articles he writes, by visiting the electronic magazine (E-Zine): optimanage.com.
The E-Zine has a fb page: facebook.com/optimanagedotcom/.
A.J. Helou can be contacted by e-mail: a.j.helou@optimanage.com (e-mail)

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