Mamma Mia Greek escape
Day 1: We started our trip with an early 3 hour flight from a rainy Bristol. Landed in Skiathos at 1:15 pm. After a short wait for our shared transfer, we arrived at Kassandra Bay Resort & Spa by 2:30. The hotel is just off the main road in Vasilias, within easy reach of Skiathos Town. Kassandra Bay is a modern, chic, and peaceful, with plenty of attentive staff and excellent facilities. There are three pools (infinity pool for suite guests), free pool towels, and plenty of loungers with soft cushions. The beach area also has free sunbeds and parasols, and the water is clear and calming, perfect for a post-travel dip. We arrived in time for happy hour, two Piña Coladas by the pool, followed by lunch delivered straight to our sunbeds Mexican chicken wraps and fries. It was a hot 29 degrees, so after a swim and a nap on the beach, we headed up to our room around 5:30 to get ready for the evening. The hotel offers a water taxi service to Skiathos Town every half hour. It costs 4 euros each way and takes just 15 minutes a relaxing and scenic way to get into town. The last water taxi back is at 11 pm. We took the 7:30pm boat and arrived at the old port in 15 minutes, surrounded by charming cocktail bars, tavernas, and shops. Dinner was at Parexanos here we enjoyed souvlaki, moussaka, and a half carafe of house white wine. Afterwards, we stopped at Aperol Spritz Bar for a drink and people-watching at the old port. We missed the last water taxi so took the short walk to the new port and queued for a taxi only 10 euros and usually shared, which is quite normal since there are only 16 taxis on the island.
Day 2: We woke late and just made it to breakfast — served until 11 am. The spread at Kassandra Bay is truly impressive. There’s everything from traditional cooked breakfast options to Mediterranean choices like mushrooms, feta and beetroot scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt, honeycomb, pastries, cakes, porridge, and alternative milks. We spent the day by the infinity pool and on the beach. Sunbeds have waiter service, so we ordered drinks and a light lunch when we were ready — Piña Coladas again, iced lattes, and chicken pittas with fries. Later that afternoon, we popped into the gym .It’s small and could do with a little maintenance, and the exercise classes weren’t running, but it’s fine for keeping up your routine if you like to stay active on holiday.
Day 3: I pre- booked a full-day Mamma Mia boat tour with Calypso Cruises, leaving around 9:05 am. We did accidentally get on the wrong bus at first but made it in time to grab top deck seats on the boat, which I’d definitely recommend. The first stop was Agios Ioannis beach, known as the “Lay All Your Love on Me” beach. We paid an extra 30 euros for the optional trip to the famous chapel on the rock. It’s a steep climb up, but worth every step for the views and photo opportunities and of course, a quick ring of the bell. From there, the tour took us to Panormos Beach on Skopelos, where we had lunch at Nikos’s Taverna a family run Taverna on the beach . Simple homemade Greek food. We shared a simple but delicious meal of tomato salad, courgette fritters, bread with olive oil, and tzatziki. With two soft drinks, it all came to just 19 euros. After a dip in the sea and a short nap on the beach, we boarded the boat for the final stop at Milia Beach, known from the “Does Your Mother Know” scene. The return journey was especially magical — we were followed by a pod of dolphins for most of the trip. It was one of those moments that stays with you, and I felt so lucky to share it with my daughter. We decided to take a taxi back from the port to the hotel (again, just 10 euros), rather than wait for the tour transfer. That evening we had dinner booked at Taverna Sklithri, a traditional seafood restaurant right on the beach just a 5 minute taxi ride from our hotel. The setting was beautiful — a real Shirley Valentine moment. Seafood is priced by the kilo here, so we skipped the 60-65 euro red snapper and went for deep-fried calamari, grilled halloumi, Greek salad, and warm bread. It was delicious and plenty for us , and we stayed a little longer than planned to enjoy another carafe of wine and a baklava with ice cream for dessert. Please note Greek portions are huge ! A taxi back cost 15 euros, slightly more than usual, but since it came out from the main port, we didn’t mind. Moments like these are worth the extra cost.
Day 4: Heading Home Our afternoon flight gave us time for one last relaxed breakfast. We left our bags outside reception for the luggage truck and took our scheduled transfer at 10:20 am from the bus stop outside the hotel. Skiathos airport was chaotic, with several UK-bound flights leaving at once. There was limited seating and long queues, so we passed time browsing duty free and picking up snacks for the plane. We were soon on our way back to Bristol and then home to Cardiff by early evening. It was short, sweet, and just what we needed.
Final Thoughts and Travel Tips:
This last-minute trip turned out to be another one of my favourites a mix of sunshine, good food and relaxed beach days, Whether you’re a Mamma Mia fan or just looking for a peaceful Greek island escape, Skiathos is a wonderful choice.
Top Tips:
Add an extra night or a week for more relaxation and to explore more
Stay near Skiathos Town if you want easy access to restaurants and bars
Skip all-inclusive and enjoy the local tavernas
Use the water taxi for a scenic evening transfer
Water shoes for the pebbly beaches
Taxis are often shared
Buses are frequent and cost around 2 euros if you don’t mind waiting in the heat
Book boat tours early . Seats are never guaranteed .
This trip reminded me that travel doesn’t have to be long or extravagant to be meaningful. Sometimes all it takes is a few days, a bit of sunshine, and someone special to share it with.
Next up with my boys !