Hiking and Yoga Retreat on Skiathos Island, Greece
May 13-21, 2027
Overview of Skiathos, Greece
Skiathos, the green jewel of the Sporades Islands, is renowned for its golden beaches, dense pine forests, and clear blue waters. Despite its small size (19 sq mi / 50 sq km), the island boasts over 60 beaches, including Lalaria Beach, with its striking white cliffs, and Koukounaries Beach, a soft sandy stretch backed by a nature reserve. Skiathos also gained international fame as a filming location for Mamma Mia!, attracting fans eager to see the sun-soaked spots featured in the movie. The lively capital, Skiathos Town, features whitewashed houses, winding cobblestone streets, and a waterfront lined with tavernas and cafés, while the historic Bourtzi Peninsula, once a Venetian fortress, now offers cultural events and panoramic sea views. With May temperatures ranging from 64–73°F (18–23°C), visitors can enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing comfortably, without the peak summer crowds.
Steeped in history, Skiathos has been shaped by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans, and played a key role in the Greek War of Independence. The Evangelistria Monastery (Holy Monastery of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary) served as a refuge for revolutionaries and is believed to be the site where the first Greek flag was created in 1807, while the medieval settlement of Kastro, perched on a rugged cliff, offers a glimpse into the island’s past through its stone ruins and preserved churches. Today, Skiathos balances tradition with modernity, offering well-marked hiking trails, beachfront resorts with spa and wellness offerings, and a culinary scene highlighting fresh seafood, roasted lamb, and artisan cheeses. The island invites travelers to combine adventure, relaxation, and authentic Greek hospitality amidst its landscapes, history, and coastal beauty.
Day 1-May 13
Fly to Skiathos, Greece (JSI)
Book a flight that allows you to arrive in Skiathos on May 14, 2027. Connect through Athens and transfer to the domestic departures area in the main terminal (usually Hall B) for the 45 minute Athens to Skiathos flight. It is worthwhile to request a window seat for the views. There are also direct flights to Skiathos from several London airports.
Day 2-May 14
Arrive to Skiathos; Transfer to Hotel; Town Walk (~1.5 miles); (D)
Kassandra Bay Resort is 3 miles from Skiathos Airport (JSI), making for a quick 15-minute transfer by private shuttle. Check-in begins at 15:00, and if you arrive earlier, luggage storage is available while you explore the hotel’s beachfront setting, vibrant gardens, and spa facilities. At ~17:00, we meet in the lobby and drive to Skiathos Town for a guided walk through its winding streets and lively squares. Our route circles the old town, uncovering hidden corners along cobbled lanes, lively squares, churches, and landmarks including the Commune of the Town, Papadiamantis House, the Port, Bourtzi, and the Folklore Museum. The walk offers an introduction to the island’s architectural heritage and daily local life. As the sun lowers over the harbor, we will continue to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner featuring Greek specialties to discuss our week ahead. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort & Spa***** is a luxurious beachfront retreat on Skiathos, located along the golden sands of Vasilias Beach and just a short drive from Skiathos Town. The resort combines comfort and style, with spacious rooms and suites featuring private balconies and sweeping Aegean views. Guests have direct access to clear waters and a classic Mediterranean ambiance. The resort’s five-star amenities cater to wellness and activity, including two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, a fully equipped gym, and picturesque locations for yoga classes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding, while nearby hiking trails lead through pine forests to hidden beaches and striking viewpoints. Dining at Kassandra Bay highlights fresh Mediterranean flavors and traditional Greek ingredients. The Amvrosia Breakfast Restaurant offers a generous buffet with local breads, cheeses, cured meats, yogurt, honey, and seasonal fruits. Throughout the day, guests can choose from several options, including elevated Mediterranean cuisine at Mesoyios Dining, casual meals and cocktails at Pelagos Lunch Restaurant and KBR Gastrolounge, or light bites and comfort food at Black Olive All Day Restaurant and the poolside Pelagos Bar.
Day 3-May 15
Yoga; Beach and Forest Hike (~5 miles); (B/L)
Breakfast is available from 8:00 at Kassandra Bay Resort. We will meet for morning yoga at ~9:00 and then transfer to the trailhead for a peaceful loop hike through the protected Strofilia Forest. The route carries us beneath pine canopies toward the northern coast, emerging first at Mantraki Beach before continuing along the coast to Elias Beach where we will stop for lunch at a beachside taverna. This coastline has long served as a maritime passageway and is connected to stories of Xerxes’ fleet during the Greco-Persian era. After lunch, there will be time to swim and relax before we return via Agistros beach and a beautiful forest stretch, completing the loop in the afternoon. We will transfer back to the resort for time to relax. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort*****
Day 4-May 16
Horseback Riding or Fishing (B/L/D)
Today, you can choose between a horseback riding excursion or a traditional fishing experience on the Aegean. For those joining the horseback riding excursion, we leave the beaches and harbor lanes behind and follow quiet trails through Skiathos’ pine forests. We ride along dirt tracks once used by shepherds and farmers, occasionally emerging at openings with views toward the Aegean. The pace is approachable even for beginners, allowing us to absorb the landscape. The horseback riding group will stop for lunch at Paralia Kechria, one of the island’s more secluded beaches before transferring back to the resort. Those choosing the fishing excursion spend the morning aboard a traditional fishing boat with a local captain, learning about the waters and fishing culture that have shaped life on Skiathos for generations. Depending on the season and conditions, we may help pull lines or nets while cruising along the island’s coastline, passing rocky headlands and small uninhabited islets. The fishing boat group will enjoy lunch on board featuring the day’s catch. In the evening, we come together again for a group dinner. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort*****
Day 5- May 17
Yoga; Peaks Hike (~3 miles); Parissi Winery; Cooking Demonstration (B/L/D)
A morning yoga session is held before we head to the Peaks Trail, a route linking several of the island’s highest and most scenic points, including Agios Antonios, Korafa Peak, Mytikas, and Profitis Ilias. Though the elevations are modest, the route offers expansive views across Skiathos toward Pelion and the neighboring islands of Skopelos and Alonissos. Along the way, we walk through farmland and stretches of native vegetation within the Aesthetic Forest of Skiathos, where pine forests and quieter trails reveal a different side of the island beyond the coastline. We conclude the hike at Parissi Winery to enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by tapas and panoramic views over the sea and surrounding hills. In the afternoon, you may participate in a cooking demonstration to try your hand at preparing some of the traditional Greek dishes we have been enjoying throughout the week. Dinner will feature the dishes prepared together. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort*****
Day 6-May 18
Journaling; Agios Charalambos & Evangelistria Monastery and Hike (~1 to 5 miles); Skiathos Town Shopping Tour (B/L/D)
In the morning, we drive to Agios Charalambos Monastery for a short meditation and journaling session. After we hike ~1 mile downhill to the Monastery of Evangelistria, an 18th-century sanctuary that stands as a symbol of faith and resilience on Skiathos. More than a place of worship, it reflects the endurance of Greek Orthodox tradition during turbulent periods of Ottoman rule. Its stone architecture, sacred rituals, and quiet setting create a strong connection to the island’s history. Those who prefer not to continue hiking may spend additional time exploring the monastery grounds and artisanal product shop and relaxing at the hilltop café overlooking the pine-covered slopes. Those interested in additional hiking set out on an ~5 mile walk along one of Skiathos’ historic routes, passing through olive groves, agricultural terraces, cobbled footpaths, and shaded chapels tucked into the landscape. The route offers changing views across the island while tracing paths once used to connect inland settlements and monasteries. The hike concludes at Panorama Restaurant where we will all reconvene to enjoy fresh dishes and expansive views across the island. In the early evening, we will transfer to town for an optional tour of the boutique shops along the narrow lanes of Skiathos Town, where local stores offer handmade ceramics, olive oil soaps, woven textiles, leather sandals, jewelry inspired by Greek motifs, and small-batch food products sourced from the Sporades. The day concludes with a group dinner together. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort*****
Day 7-May 19
Private Sailing Trip (B/L)
We embark on an exciting full day boat trip through the Sporades Island chain, weaving between pine-covered islands and stopping to swim in remarkably clear turquoise waters. Along the way, we explore secluded sea caves and quiet coves accessible only by boat, with time to float, snorkel, or relax on deck as the coastline drifts by. For lunch, the captain prepares a fresh spread of local dishes onboard, which we enjoy at anchor in a sheltered bay. As we sail between islands, there are beautiful views toward Skopelos, whose whitewashed harbors and green hillsides became well known as filming locations for the movie Mamma Mia!. By early evening, we return to the harbor. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort*****
Day 8-May 20
Yoga; Hike to Kastro and Explore Fortress (~4 miles); (B/L/D)
We meet for a closing yoga session at the resort before setting out on a scenic hike through olive groves, shaded pine forests, and small chapels to reach the medieval fortress of Kastro, dramatically perched on a rocky headland above the Aegean Sea. Built in the 14th century to protect the island’s inhabitants from pirate raids, its narrow stone lanes, weathered walls, and scattered ruins preserve the story of Skiathos’ former capital, while expansive coastal views frame the island’s layered history. Those who prefer a shorter walk may drive closer to the entrance of Kastro after dropping off the hiking group. After time to explore the fortress and surrounding viewpoints, we continue down to the shoreline for lunch at Kastro Beach Taverna, where traditional Greek dishes are served beside the water. In the late afternoon, we return to the hotel for time to rest before gathering once more for a farewell dinner together. Overnight: Kassandra Bay Resort*****
Day 9-May 21
Tour end (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. It is a 15 minute drive from the hotel to Skiathos Airport for your flight back to Athens or other onward travel.
PRICE PER PERSON:
$3099 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
+$1000 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Payment Schedule:
Book your space by filling our Reservation Form below and call Susie Morwick at 317-544-8391
(Venmo also an option)
(317) 544-8391 or susie@peacethroughyoga.org
Send checks to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
Attention: Susie Morwick
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
-
A $500 non-refundable deposit per person is due at booking; balance due 120 days before departure.
-
Payable by check or venmo to Peace through Yoga Foundation; 3.5% fee for credit cards.
-
Cancellation: $500 fee up to 120 days prior; 100% fee after.
Trip cancellation insurance is recommended:
-
Travel Guard at 800-454-7107
-
i travel insured - 317-655-4500
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
-
Pre-departure discussion group to orient you and answer any questions
-
Accommodations at a 5 star resort
-
Meals as described
-
Daily activities as described
-
Yoga classes including yoga mat and blocks
-
Transfers to and from group activities
-
Trip leaders
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
-
Airfare from your hometown
-
Airport transfers
-
Hiking poles (can be rented upon request)
-
Meals not listed
-
Beverages
-
Personal expenses
-
Tipping to guides
NOTES:
-
Itinerary may vary based on availability, weather, and local events.
Trip Leaders:
Christine Klotz, MPH, has spent the past 20 years living nomadically, balancing her work as an international public health professional in refugee camps around the world with a passion for long-distance walking that has carried her across thousands of miles in more than 100 countries. She has returned to Skiathos multiple times and finds herself drawn to its trails, landscapes, and people. Guided by curiosity and connection, she is always looking toward the next journey with the belief: “It’s a beautiful world, and I’ll be thrilled to explore it with you one step at a time.”
Christine Klotz
Vasili Markou is a full time resident of Skiathos. Originally from the United States, Vasili came to Skiathos to develop a hospitality concept at the intersection of Greek culture, art, and adventure. As perhaps the biggest fan of the island, Vasili is well suited to showcase all that Skiathos has to offer - from the colorful local population to the over 50 miles of historic walking paths.
Vasili Markou
Kiriaki (Kika) Kantarakia was born and raised on the nature-rich island of Skiathos, where growing up in a large, outdoors-loving family shaped a lifelong connection to the land. After spending several years away from the island, returning home brought a clear realization: life is too short not to follow what genuinely inspires you. She is a Personal Trainer, Pilates instructor, and Yoga teacher, weaving together her passion for movement, wellbeing, and the natural environment. Kiriaki loves meeting people from around the world, creating meaningful shared moments, and guiding others through hiking, mindful exercise, and time spent immersed in nature.
Kiriaki Kantarakia
To register for this trip, complete the Booking Request, then call Reservations Manager, Susie Morwick, if you would like to book via credit card at a 3.5% feel or use VENMO, at (317) 544-8391. Or send initial deposit of $500 to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
*A $500 deposit is due upon booking (no more than seven days after confirmation). Balance is due 120 days prior to departure.