Family trip to Sporades Island with children. Ideas on where to go with your child

Over the past few years, Sporades has been traditionally referred to as the Northern Sporades, a group of 11 islands, four of which are now inhabited. This is a great place for active and curious children who love adventure. There are no big amusement parks or children's centers here but there are plenty of opportunities for traveling from island to island and a lot of cultural and historical monuments. The Northern Sporades have repeatedly figured in the myths of the ancient Greeks: Achilles was forced to hide here from the enemies and here the legendary Theseus died. Perhaps, it is hardly possible to find a better occasion to introduce the child to legends and myths of antiquity.

Many locals still live in the same rhythm as they did centuries ago. A considerable number of buildings here is made under the influence of the Cycladic culture that existed on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the 2-3 centuries BC. A child of any age will like the villages of the local residents, especially where the traditions of wearing national costumes still exist. Kids will be interested to learn more about the world around, and older children will be able to see with their own eyes what they have read about in the history textbooks.

On the island of Skopelos, together with a child you can visit a real plant for the production of olive oil. A detailed excursion will please both boys and girls. Active children will probably want to look inside the Tripiti cave, and teenagers may be interested in the International Photography Center. If your child loves works of art and religious symbols, you can take him to any of the local churches – there are more than three hundred of them here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

On Alonissos, you can see the ruins of an ancient city and several churches of the Byzantine era. Here you should admire not only small settlements with colorful houses in the traditional Greek style but also untouched nature. The island is a part of the national marine park, which protects several species of animals that are on the verge of extinction. Here the child can see a rare Mediterranean seal and find out what modern scientists are doing to maintain the population of this animal.

On the island of Skiathos, the largest inhabited island of the archipelago, there are the ruins of the once majestic Castro castle, which will surely enchant little fans of fairy tales and legends. You can take your children to the Dark and Azure grottos and visit the "Devil's Rock" beach. Next to Skiathos, there is the island of Burtezi, which will appeal to the boys – they are likely to be interested in the ruins of the Venetian castle, and to the girls – they can find the local library and theater quite entertaining.

Walking around the island of Skyros, you can see wild ponies. This is the only place in Greece where these cute horses live on their own, without human supervision. The whole northern part of the island is covered with forests and is well suited for walks with both kids and teenagers. Little fans of history should visit the monastery of St. George, built in the 10th century. The island of Jura has unique examples of flora such as Cretan maples, earthen trees, and myrtles, and the islands of Kyra Panaya and Piperi have populations of seal-monks and petrels.

The Northern Sporades will be a great place for active children, who are ready for adventure because the only opportunity to visit the uninhabited islands and stay one on one with nature leaves an unforgettable impression. Older children, who are interested in history and architecture, and kids, who are ready to frolic on pristine beautiful beaches day and night, will also like it here.