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.
Mindfulness seekers, Isle of Wight. "Proof that a creative environment is conducive to forging lifelong friendships, this collection of well-being breaks is designed to help participants unwind and socialise. Based at The Grange by the Sea, a Georgian country house with sprawling lawns a short stroll from Shanklin’s sandy beach, the breaks focus on mindfulness. Workshops range from fiction writing to yoga and colour therapy. Accommodation is in twin rooms, with sharers matched by interests and hobbies ahead of departure."
Learning Holidays in Europe: Humorous Writing in Greece. "The greatest revelation is that I enjoy performing, even though public speaking usually scares me. I find making people laugh brings me the joy I was seeking and I revel in the audience interaction. Which is how I came to be oversharing on that moonlit stage, safe in the knowledge that I’m among friends, my body and soul uplifted by the holiday. I’m returning to Skyros this September to try my hand at standup – and that I find truly astonishing."
September 2022
The holistic haven: Skyros. Skyros, the wild Sporades archipelago’s southernmost gem, where British poet Robert Brook (author of The Soldier sonnet) lies buried and where legend says Theseus (he of the Minotaur) was hurled from a cliff by lairy king Lycomedes, is best known for its alternative vibe; yoga and wellness retreats are ten-a-penny. But there is more besides, from its unique breed of Skyrian ponies and pretty pine-studded landscapes, to the capital Chora spilling like white lava over a cliff topped by a biscuit-coloured Byzantine castle.
April 2022
Looking for a trip built on wellbeing, creativity and shared experiences? Check out the Skyros Centre, a retreat that encourages you to try new things, live out your hobbies and enjoy relaxation with fellow creatives. It offers writing, art, wellbeing and yoga classes, all in a beautiful island setting.storic, literary and mythical sites, and you’ve found a small Greek island with big secrets ready to be uncovered.
October 2021
Bring home more than a tan on these 10 learning holidays. "The Writers' Lab on Skyros, Greece, offers you the opportunity to learn creative writing from guest tutors - past authors include Hanif Kureishi, Sue Townsend, Marina Warner and Margaret Drabble. Booker and Pulitzer Prize winners, including Hilary Mantel, James Kelman and Alison Lurie, have also visited this beautiful retreat, which is as far as can be from the demands of everyday life."
May 2021
The 50 greatest British weekend breaks for 2021 Become a Master, Isle of Wight. "Take a weekend to gather your thoughts at The Grange by the Sea, a Georgian country house that hosts a range of creative workshops year-round. Over the May Bank Holiday, choose between masterclasses on fiction writing or life coaching."
April 2021
Which is the perfect Greek island? Best for the mind: Skyros "Travel writer Sophie Butler recommends Atsitsa Bay which offers yoga, life-coaching, music, sketching, painting, singing, dancing and other activities guaranteed to soothe your lockdown-addled mind."
February 2021
The best holidays for nourishing the body and soul "An easy place to start is mindfulness - practising being aware of your thoughts in the moment. Michael Eales ...runs this week-long retreat in a pretty bougainvillaea-draped village on the island of Skyros."
January 2021
15 wellbeing retreats and detox breaks - for better days ahead "The Grange, in the seaside town of Shanklin, is the HQ of holistic holiday company Skyros. You can expect a friendly group atmosphere and tasty food and drink sourced as locally as possible."
January 2021
One of the UK's 10 best outdoor well-being retreats. "This is the first year in more than four decades that Skyros Holidays has been unable to run creative retreats in Greece. On the upside, it has expanded its UK retreats, which are based at a country house in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. There are two retreats a week covering a range of skills from watercolour painting to comedy writing to singing."
September 2020
Nirvana on the cheap — soulful breaks that won’t break the bank. "Need a little sunshine? Make a beeline for Atsitsa Bay on the Greek island of Skyros, where you’ll find a number of wellness weeks."
February 2020