It was delighted to discover that Velanio beach, one of our favourites in the Aegean, retained much of its old character, with the section after the rocks predominantly nude. You can get there by bus: get off at the stop for Stafilos and walk down the hill past the Ostria hotel.Don't be tempted to pass the taverna at the bottom of the hill: it has smashing views and it's well worth taking some fluid on board. Walk to the other end of (textile) Stafilos beach and then up the path over the headland. Steps have been newly fashioned out of concrete on the approach to Velanio which makes the steep descent (and ascent on the way back) somewhat easier.

There is a rocky outcrop about a third of the way along Velanio. The beach is mostly (but not exclusively) textile before that; and mostly (but not exclusively) nude beyond. There was a beach bar which also hired sunbeds and parasols for use either side of the great divide; unfortunately it was swept away in a storm (apparently the guy who owned it didn't have enough money to rebuilt it and got a job in Skopelos Town). A new beach bar, at the bottom of the steps at the textile end, is now open.

Although the main beach by the road is strictly textile, a number of much smaller coves and

beaches (mostly reached by boat or a scramble over rocks) seem to be de facto 'clothing

optional'. The coves and larger bays to north of Panormos are also known as Andrina. They can

be reached by following a path over the rocks from North end of Panormos beach or walking

down from the coast road by Andrina hotel. The coves are all shingle and many have some

natural shade from pine trees, clear water and are very beautiful. The bays are also excellent

anchorages for boats. This can be a real nuisance for those on the beach during high season but

is never a problem otherwise. And some of those on the boats are among the enlightened