Press
Skyros has been the subject of numerous features in the British and foreign press over the years. The very short extracts on this page represent only a tiny sample of the vast publicity given to an organisation, which does not even have a PR department.
"I am not the first to remark on how liberating this can be. I felt able to take a deep breath and reflect on the previous months and years, undistracted by the clamour of workday life. The long history of ancient Greece felt alive around me and this, along with the stories of my students, encouraged me to take a longer, more measured view of things."
"Celebrity Dream Homes: My perfect spot would be the Greek island of Skyros, where the poet Rupert Brooke died. It's a place where at night you can dance and party on the beach, as only Greeks know-how, and still be awake to speak to the sunrise. The smell of warm pine trees, the sunlight on the sea: very different from the place I've just been living."
July 2010
"Novelist Barbara Rees (who died in 2010) visited the Skyros Holistic Retreat Centre in Greece regularly for years. Between 1969 and 1978 she published six novels, including Diminishing Circles and Harriet Dark. She was described at the time as a ‘young writer of extraordinary gifts’."
April 2010
"Everything written about Skyros paints a picture of a paradise. You cannot be a journalist without becoming incredibly questioning about life. That said, a lot of the superlatives [about Skyros] were written by journalists, possibly far more cynical than me. The courses are excellent but I soon realised that they are simply adjunct to a wonderfully relaxed holiday. I'm not always good at staying in touch once I get back into my every day, but there are some people I met in Skyros who have already found a place in my heart - you know who you are."
April 2010
"Skyros Centre: 'the sophisticated urbanite's retreat of choice.'"
March 2010
"It seems that, whatever way you sample Skyros, it has a huge impact, which is why people keep returning year after year."
March 2010
"The 100 best summer holidays for 2010 Hear the one about the grumpy old man on the Greek island. Provide the punch line yourself after a week’s comedy-writing course taught by Balham’s favourite misanthrope, Arthur Smith. Or try a fortnight’s fiction course with James Scudamore — if the name’s familiar, it’s because it was in the frame for the 2009 Man Booker prize."
January 2010
"Be More Creative. Stained glass and mosaic-making are two of this summer's creative courses offered by Skyros Holidays. The emphasis is on fun, and the aim is to learn the skills and techniques needed to continue the craft once you return home."
January 2010
"[The Grange, Isle of Wight] A stylish well-being retreat that won't break the bank'. "
December 2009
"Change your life in Greece. Amazing things happen on Skyros - just ask the visitor who returns again and again. To see what the fuss is about, try one of the island's many courses. They range from singing to comedy improvisation. If you like a challenge, go for the Life Choices programme, which helps you rethink your career, health and relationships."
August 2009
"Skyros is one of the prettiest of all Greek islands."
April 2009