Kivo Art & Gourmet Hotel, a stylish boutique resort on Skiathos, has launched Hike Bike Run, a new initiative to keep visitors fit and active while taking in the sights of this beautiful Greek island.

Holidaymakers can book one or more of the guided activities to do in the friendly company of Kivo's hand-picked, local, expert guides. Along the way, they will discover ancient forests fragranced by wild herbs, pine-fringed sandy shores, wetlands rich in birdlife, centuries-old monasteries, and even the ruins of a pirate fortress.

The trio of activities includes the unusual choice of a guided trail run. The challenging route over
mixed terrain takes in some historic sights – an excellent excuse to catch a breath – and includes a few tough climbs, which will be rewarded with panoramic views of the island and refreshing dips in the cool Aegean sea.

Guides from Skiathos Mountain Bikes will offer a choice of on- and off-road cycling routes, from easy to challenging, through the mountains and around the coast, as well as a special trail run starting near the hotel. Meanwhile, the island's top walking guide, Ortwin Widman, will lead half-day group hikes from the hotel's front door to the island's 'Magic Forest', a secluded woodland of millennia-old plane trees and gentle waterfalls, calling by the Kechria monastery to see the ancient murals.

Hike Bike Run is available on request to guests and non-guests from today. Visitors can join group hikes from €10 per person, group bike rides from €25 per person, and group trail runs from €12 per person. Private sessions are available on request.

These fun activities are just some of the ways that Kivo Hotel is creating holiday experiences that go beyond the beach. Cookery day courses and new-generation Greek wine-tasting and pairing masterclasses are also available to book. Meanwhile, Kivo Art Gallery in Skiathos Town showcases new and established artistic talent, with a changing programme of exhibitions.

Kivo Art & Gourmet Hotel is open until 10 October 2015. Rooms are available from €132 per night and there is a minimum stay of five nights. Direct flights to Skiathos are available through Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways, and via Athens with Aegean Airlines.

To book, visit www.kivohotel.com or call +30 24270 22407. Follow developments at Kivo Art & Gourmet Hotel on Twitter @kivoarthotel and @kivoskiathos; facebook.com/kivoskiathos, pinterest.com/kivoskiathos, YouTube, and Google+.

To request images or further information, and to enquire about press visits, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

Kivo Art & Gourmet Hotel is a family-owned property on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, just outside Skiathos Town and 4km from the international airport. The stylish, contemporary hotel is designed as a sequence of white cottages with red-tiled roofs, set in 15 acres of gardens surrounded by olive groves and centring on a restaurant and swimming pool with panoramic sea views.

The hotel has 38 double bedrooms, as well as a pair of romantic two-room suites, one with its own infinity pool. Interiors are tastefully decorated in white and soft pastels, reflecting the natural colours of the island.

The air-conditioned bedrooms feature king-size or twin beds, spacious wardrobes, en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi, bath amenities, slippers, hair-dryers and mini-bar. Extra amenities in suites include safes, coffee machines, bathrobes, complimentary bottled water and fruit baskets. Room service and laundry service are available.

The hotel's restaurant offers two innovative menus. Kivo Greek Creative Cuisine is a modern interpretation of traditional ingredients and recipes, with dishes created by the award-winning chef Giannis Baxevanis, whose many accolades include Chef de L'Avenir from the Académie Internationale de la Gastronomie in France. Kivo Modern Asian Dining draws inspiration from Japan, China, Thailand and India. Much of the produce used is sourced from Kivo's own kitchen gardens. Both menus are explored in full in the hotel's new magazine, Gastronomia, available from reception. Kivo's cellar includes an extensive range of new-generation Greek wines, while cocktails based on traditional Greek spirits, as well as a selection of Greek craft beers, are now available at the bar.

Guests also enjoy access to a private area on nearby Mikros Vasilias beach, where sunbeds, towels, drinks and snacks are provided. The hotel makes and sells its own line of artisanal products, many locally sourced, including olive oil, red wine and balsamic vinegar, herbs, honey and soap. Other facilities include a 24-hour reception, full concierge service, bar, lounge, mini business centre, breakfast room and secure parking area. Kivo Art & Gourmet Hotel is licensed for weddings.

The hotel is part of the Kivo Skiathos Collection, which is dedicated to creating memory-making holiday experiences across the island. A free, full-colour magazine, Skiathos Traveller, filled with ideas about what to do on the island – from hiking to scuba diving – is published by the Collection. The print version is available at the hotel and the magazine can be read online at skiathostraveller.com and by downloading the app for iPhone or iPad.

Kivo Art & Gourmet Hotel was awarded The Green Key from the Foundation for Environmental Education in 2013.