Skyros – if it doesn’t change your life, it will definitely float your boat

By Tom Morley

I’ve stayed at several Holistic Holiday centres, from Australia to Bali to India and the UK. Those retreats had elements of what I was looking for, but only Atsitsa, on the Greek island of Skyros, has them all and all at once.

Respect for modern rituals, yoga, bodywork, dance, massage, music and grounded therapeutic work, all held in place by young vibey staff and well-seasoned teachers. Not to mention the tastiest food and drink: yes, they do have a starlit bar.

The young ‘work-scholars’ who keep the cogs in sync don’t seem to know the word “Whatever”, or if they do they never use it. An intelligent enthusiasm seems to power them and together they set a great scene for weary travellers on arrival. Their authentic warmth is overwhelmingly attractive.

The accommodation is quirky, comfortable and respectful of the culture it’s drawing from. The ‘rooms’ simply say “Welcome, you’re safe here. Get ready for something new.”

All the food is confidently prepared with love. With the funkiest of tunes blasting out from the kitchen you just know that supper is going to taste good tonight. And so does every other meal, day after day after day.

The heart of the holiday, the courses, are unsurpassed. With each teacher bringing at least 20 years experience to Atsitsa you literally have centuries of wisdom here. It’s all delivered with the appropriate humour and sensitivity that only dark-side travellers can bring.

You’ve probably guessed we’re not talking happy-clappy holiday bar here. The Atsitsa centre is a temple of truth with a cutting edge soundtrack.

Slumdog Millionaire meets Blade Runner on the set of Mama Mia. And this is the editor’s cut. It’s an ambitious formula, perfected over decades.

So, whatever plane you’re coming on, fasten your seatbelt. This is tangible enlightenment, community worth it’s name, luxuriously buoyant swimming, therapy with a purpose and creativity with results.

Atsitsa. A sensually explicit catalogue of sessions that, even if it doesn’t change your life, will definitely float your boat.

Tom Morley, September 2011

www.blacktiewhitelie.com – tom@blacktiewhitelie.com – +44 (0)7753 802 952

For more information on holidays available with Skyros visit our website, pop us over an email or drop us a line by
phone! www.skyros.com – office@skyros.com – +44 (0)1983 86 55 66

If you've visited Atsitsa Bay or The Skyros Centre this summer and would like to let others know about your experience, we'd love for you to add a review to our Trip Advisor pages. Thank you in advance!
Atsitsa on Trip Advisor
The Skyros Centre on Trip Advisor