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It has been announced that a new sea plane service will be provided as an alternative mode of transportation in the region.

ArGo Airways will offer short haul flights interconnecting Volos, Thessaloniki, Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. This new service is expected to start this summer (2009).  We are awaiting conformation of a start date and schedules.

ArGo Airways will mainly use seaplanes as the core of its fleet. It presently operates one type of aircraft, the De Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Single Otter.

Passenger capacity is 9 seats.

Flights to Skopelos will land at Agnontas on the south western coast. Prices will be approximately 40 Euros one way per person and journey times around 30 minutes.

This new mode of transport may not suit all travellers to the Islands as baggage allowance is 10 kilos per person.  Excess baggage will be charged at 10 Euros per kilo. Carry on luggage allowed is 4 kilos.

Children between 5 and 12 years can travel alone. Their parents or guardians will have to provide all the necessary documentation before departure. Pets are allowed to fly as long as they are in a proper container and will be charged accordingly. Guide and service dogs, together with their containers and food, will be carried free of charge.

ArGo Airways say on their website that passengers with disabilities must be able to board the plane on their own. They say it is important for people to understand their policy to have a maximum of one PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) on the flight.

It is always best to contact them directly regarding any questions you may have via their website: http://www.argoairways.com

This is an exciting time for the Sporades group of Greek islands as another much needed form of passenger transport becomes available in making getting to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos easier.

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While I look at the falling snow outside my window in the UK, I thought I’d start a new blog about photographing Skopelos Island Greece. You are invited to add comments or write a blog about your own experiences. Just contact us.

Skopelos Island is a great place for taking photographs.  It is a beautiful island to be on, the light is strong in the summer and due to the green pine trees and surrounding deep blue Aegean Sea, there is a wide variety of vivid saturated colours.

Short exposures give great results when taken with a polarising filter and low iso during the heat of the day. In the strong Skopelos sunlight it is best to use a flash to eliminate heavy shadows under the eyes when taking portraits. Long exposures are best for photographing the stunning sunset looking over the Aegean Sea and out towards Skiathos Island. There is a great spot on the main road from Glossa to Skopelos near Palio Klima.

As there is not much light pollution, photographs can be clear and vibrant in colour. There are days when the skies are hazy and vision muddy. It is always best to photograph after a day of heavy rain when the air is fresh.

So, what to photograph? Well, besides the regular tourist stuff like churches, streets, beaches and landscapes, there is a wide variety of flora and birds in Skopelos. There are about 67 recorded species of birds. A highlight is photographing the Elenora Falcons, a common sight at the western end of Glossa. Hedgehogs, hares and bats enjoy the forest like vegetation. There is also a large insect population, including bees that produce superior Skopelos honey.

Spring and autumn are an especially good time to photograph wild flowers. Poppies, anemones, irises, lilies and orchids are an example of just a few of the species on the Island.. Wild fennel and several other important caterpillar food plants are abundant which means arrays of beautiful butterflies to photograph. Butterflies include the Swallowtail and the Scarce Swallowtail, Cleopatras, Painted Ladies, Red and White Admirals and Two-Tailed Pashas

Five varieties of snakes exist on the island and in early spring you may see them on the road basting in the sun. Personally, I would not get too close to these as some are highly poisonous. They are great to photograph (with a telephoto zoom lens of course!)

Come to Skopelos, if you like to photograph nature. You’ll find it’s the perfect place to experience your photography in full colour.

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