Villa Idealia is a newly built villa located just below the owners property. On arrival, friendly Giannis of the owners family was on hand to offer a warm welcome and provided fresh figs on a couple of occasions that he had collected from his own garden. The villa itself is reached via a 10 minute drive along a track and hire of a 4x4 is certainly recommended. A car is needed to travel anywhere, though that is no hardship and a normal arrangement for many villa locations on Skopelos. Villa idealia is extremely well appointed whether eating or just relaxing in or out and there are lovely views towards the coast at Panormas. It is possible to walk to Panormas, about a 20 min hike downhill, but the high temperatures in August put us off, so we didn't try. In any event, the walk back uphill is very steep and probably not so much fun in the dark. We enjoyed a couple of days by spent by the pool but also spent a lot of time getting about the island, there is lots to see and places to explore. We enjoyed the nearby beaches at Panormos and Milia, but were quite disappointed with other beaches at Kastani, Limonari and Stafylos so didn't stay put at any of these. They are all beautiful locations but annoyingly busy and in the case of Kastani and Limonari, over developed, loud music etc! Not what we had hoped for, and probably not why people go to Skopelos in the first place. I hope those in a postion to influence development in Skopelos heed the learnings of other beautifully located holiday destinations in Majorca, Corfu, Cyprus, Turkey etc that are now regretting the greed they tolerated and which has caused blight they are now trying to undo. Probably too late. But as a whole, Skopelos is definitely not over developed and there is probably something for everyone. It is a beautiful island and if you are prepared to travel, a number of quieter beaches to explore. For example, Perivoliou on the north-east of the island was lovely. We ate out most evenings and found plenty of great restaurants in Panormos, Agnondas, Glossa and Skopelos Town. And having been out, it was always a joy to return to Villa Idealia and sit out on the terrace for the rest of the evening talking about the day past or planning the next. The villa, and the island of Skopelos was enjoyed by all five adult members of our family and we are very likely to return, we have no hesitation in recommending Idealia as a wonderful place to stay. Highly recommended.
