Greek cuisine has a reputation problem. What can Skopelos offer foodies?

We have a few restaurants which lean towards an international cuisine, but in the main, Skopelos offers very good traditional Greek food – dishes made with beef, lamb, pork, goat, chicken and fish, and snack bars selling souvlakia and gyros. The café bars along the waterfront serve snacks and delicious sweets and ice creams. And don’t forget that many traditional Greek recipes are perfect for vegetarians and use fresh seasonal vegetables.

What are your criteria for the properties you take on your books?

First is quality, followed swiftly by location. We always strive to offer clients high-quality accommodation in the perfect location, whether this is a modern villa with a swimming pool, set in an olive grove with fantastic views to the sea, or a traditional town house close to the waterfront. We also insist that all of our properties are well equipped and include such things as kettles and coffee-makers, televisions and CD players. And, increasingly, they will have washing machines and dishwashers, where possible. A private swimming pool is also high on our list of our priorities.

How much should visitors budget for villa rentals on Skopelos?

This depends on the type of property, the time of year, the number of people sharing and, of course, special offers at the time of booking.

Currently, our smallest and least expensive property (sleeps two) varies from €39 per night in the low season to €89 in the high season, while one of our most expensive homes (sleeps eight) ranges from €179 to €489 per night. Our properties and prices are listed on our website (www.holidayislands.com). However, it’s always advisable to contact us to find out what offers we are able to make.

What’s the best way to get to the island?

In the main holiday season, May to October, most people choose to take a charter flight direct to Skiathos. From the airport, a short taxi ride takes you to the port in Skiathos town, where you can get a ferry, hydrofoil or catamaran across to Skopelos, which takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Alternatively, if you’re not pressed for time, you can fly to Athens or Thessaloniki and then make your way by bus to Agios Constantinos or Volos to take a ferry to Skopelos. You see a part of mainland Greece that way, and it can sometimes be less expensive than direct charter flights, but it takes longer. We can offer assistance to anyone who needs help with transfers from Skiathos to Skopelos or from Athens or Thessaloniki.

Your five top Skopelos experiences?

• Sunset at the Cape Gouruni lighthouse.
• Seeing dolphins and seals in the wild.
• Monasteries – the paintings and icons have to be seen.
• Agios Yiannis monastery – a beautiful, serene spot, which was used for the wedding scene in Mama Mia!
• The two-week summer festival, with traditional singing and dancing. It normally starts in the second week of August.