Yachting through Southern Greece (Athens, Attica)

Yachting cruise routes around the Greek islands.

Make one-week or two-weeks’ sea journeys on rented private yachts visiting famous Greek islands with their archaeological and historical places of interest and charming beaches.

Sailing yacht “KALLISTO”

Manufacturer: Ocean Yachts
Model: Ocean Star 51.2
Year of manufacturing: 2003
Cabins: 4 + 1 of the skipper
Toilets: 5
Sleeping places: 10 Color: blue.
 Painting of the hull was done in 2010.

We offer for your attention several routes for an unforgettable travel.

Route No. 1, the islands of the Saronic Gulf

 
These small islands in a gulf of the Aegean Sea at the southern coast of Attica – Salamis, Aegina, Angistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses – can be all visited in one day, but it rarely happens that somebody leaves the archipelago so quickly.

The island of Hydra is favored by writers and painters. In moonlight, the fantastic beauty of the city with the same name reminds theater scenery. Enjoying the humble but exquisite landscape, one could also admire the old private mansions built at the end of the 18th century-beginning of the 19th century by rich Greek families.

There are several monasteries on the island. In general, Hydra is a rather expensive and for this reason not very busy place. One could rarely see here crowds of tourists, there are very few children, the circulation of cars is forbidden. But if you want to have fun – fashionable parties and popular bars will always offer you this kind of opportunity. The exact opposite of the “aristocratic” Hydra is the island of Poros. A busy harbor, lemon-tree groves, water mills…

A wonderful place for recreation is the largest of the islands of the Saronic Gulf – the island of Aegina. Listening to the Greek music of different styles in the city of Aegina, tasting fish delicacies in the cozy taverns of the fish village Perdika, swimming in the crystal clear waters of the tiny island of Moni or, maybe, just resting in the shadow of the pine trees – you gradually start to feel all the charm of this island. The curious are advised to pay a visit to the ghost city of Paleochora. It was the capital of the island since the 9th century, but 100 years ago all the residents abandoned it. There are a monastery and 28 churches here. Some of them can boast of interesting frescos.

Frescos of the 18th century can also be admired at the monastery Faneromeni on the island of Salamis. In 480 BC, in the Salamis Gulf the famous navy battle between the Greeks and the Persians took place. The Greek fleet was victorious.

The island of Spetses has also left its trace in the development of the military navy and in the history of navy battles. It corresponds exactly to its ancient name of “Pine-tree Island”. Spetses is also famous for the fact that here, at a private English school, the famous writer John Fowles taught. The plot of his novels The French Lieutenant’s Woman and The Magus is based on Spetses.

Ancient Epidaurus. The ancient theater in Epidaurus represents one of the most remarkable places of interest in Greece. The theater is known throughout the world for its perfect acoustics – it is still a place of modern performances within the framework of the Athens summer festival. The tourists are trying to test the acoustics on their friends, whom they ask to go up to the last rows. The theater was built in the 4th century BC, has 55 rows and can accommodate 14000 viewers. The scene has 20 meters in diameter. In the old days, it was not just a theater that was located in Epidaurus. There was a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing, the son of Apollo here.

Route No. 2 – the North Sporades Islands

The archipelago of North Sporades numbers 77 islands and rocks. Most of them are waterless, barren and uninhabited. Only 9 of them are inhabited, but of these 9, 4 – Skiathos, Alonnisos, Skopelos and Skyros – enjoy high popularity among the tourists. We recommend using a yacht for the acquaintance with these islands. Only in this way you will be able to combine the five-star comfort with maximum freedom.

Sporades are the most picturesque and charming among the islands of the Aegean Sea. The abundance of vegetation and crystal clear water remind you that Pelion is near. The island closest to this mountain is Skiathos. It enjoys the highest popularity among the tourists and boasts of some of the most beautiful and famous of the sand beaches of Greece.

A little farther east is Skopelos with its green mountains and a picturesque Aegean port. Next to it is Alonnisos with its thick pine-tree forests and deep sea at the coast. On this island, and also on some small neighboring islands, the Mediterranean monk seal has found its last refuge. In 1992, on the decision of the Greek government, the first National Marine Park was created with the purpose of increasing the population of the monk seal and developing ecotourism on Alonnisos Island.

Skyros is the largest island of the archipelago. It is a wonderful place associated with many mythological characters. Here, Atalanta was competing with her admirers, Thetis hid her son Achilles dresses in women’s clothes. On Skyros, king Theseus found his death. Here, ancient traditions are kept in clothing, crafts and festivities. It is the only place in Greece where wild ponies live. There are many nooks with untouched wild nature on the island, since settlements are located primarily around the city of Skyros.

Once, these islands were a continuation of the Pelion peninsula. Like Pelion peninsula, they were covered with dense pine-tree forests. Rampant vegetation is the cause of a large number of mosquitoes on the island. But the presence of mosquitoes does not discourage the tourists who fill up Skiathos at the peak of the season.

Route No. 3 – The Dodecanese

The name of this group of islands could be translated from Greek as “12 islands”. In fact, there are much more of them, of which 14 are inhabited. Mild climate, abundance of vegetation, variety of landscape – from steep rocks to fertile valleys and fruit groves – all this is characteristic of the Dodecanese islands.

The largest island, with rich historic past, a multitude of architectural monuments and wonderful nature is the island of Rhodes. In the 4th century BC it was one of the largest centers of Greek culture. It is necessary to mention, that it is exactly here that the famous statues are located – Nike of Samothrace, Laocoon and, most importantly, one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Colossus of Rhodes. Nowadays, Rhodes is called the fruit and flower greenhouse of Greece.

The island of Kos – “the Gods’ favorite” – is beautiful and welcoming. The sea is very clean here and the fauna is very diverse (one could even see flamingos, caretta turtles and Mediterranean seals). Form kilometers from the merry and careless Kos with its wonderful architecture inherited from the Italians and the Turkish-style mosques, there is the temple of the healing god Asclepius – or Aesculapius, in the Roman tradition.

Apparently, it was pre-destined that it would be on Kos that the famous Hippocrates would be born. Even now, almost 2500 years after his birth, Kos attracts tourists thanks to the yearly festival “Hippocrates’ Oath”. The island of Patmos is designed for deep thinking rather than for merriment and idle pastime. This forest-less rocky island with a gloomy monastery is as if enveloped in a mysterious mist. Local residents are reluctant to rent out houses; so rich foreigners prefer to have their own. The island is famous for the fact that, according to legend, St. John the Evangelist, exiled to Patmos by Romans, heard in a cave the voice of God speaking of the terrible days in store for the mankind. The things he heard he wrote down in the Revelation.

Route No. 4 – The Cyclades

This archipelago is known well from the school history course. It was exactly here that one of the most ancient cultures of the Mediterranean – the so-called Cycladic culture – was born. This archipelago, situated in the central part of the Aegean Sea, owes its name to the strange position of the islands, which form a circle– “kyklos”. No doubt that the main tourist center of this circle is Mykonos – the favorite destination for travelers from around the whole world. Apart from the golden beaches, unusual landscape and rather peculiar architecture, this island attracts tourists with its rich night life. The abundance of bars, taverns and clubs makes Mykonos one of the main youth centers of Europe during the summer season.

Apart from Mykonos, the Cyclades are famous for about a dozen of other islands, which one and all can boast of distinct peculiarity and rich history. For example, according to legend, Apollo and Artemis were born on the island of Delos. Now, nobody lives here apart from the people who take care of the ancient monuments. Delos is an archaeological museum the size of an island.

After an icon of Virgin Mary was found on the island of Tinos – there is no end to pilgrims coming here. The city of Tinos has a church of Virgin Mary and a museum of modern Greek painting and sculpture.

The island of Kythnos is known, first of all, for the healing radioactive springs, as well as churches decorated by icon-painting and wood-carving of the famous Cycladic craftsman Skordilis.

The island of Milos was formed from volcanic rock rich in various minerals. It was in the local caves that the famous statue of Venus of Milos, which is now in Louvre, was discovered. Who knows what other treasures are hidden in the numerous caves of Milos?

On the island of Santorini, the snow-white houses are built right on the slopes of the caldera – the giant hole, which formed in 1500 as a result of the eruption of the volcano. From these dark rocks, a view opens on the Kammenes – the burnt islands representing fragments of a huge rock. The archaeological monuments of Santorini, like the ruins of a pre-historical town and of the ancient Thira, are also very interesting. Now, Santorini is an expensive and prestigious resort.

Route No. 5 – Ionian Islands

To the west of Epirus and Peloponnese, there are seven islands covering the main part of the Ionic Sea. The main of them is Corfu – drowning in vegetation, having absorbed traditions of many different cultures flourishing here in different times. The city of Kerkyra immediately enchants the visitor. Two fortresses, narrow curvy streets, the City Hall built in Venetian style, the church of St. Spiridon, the protector of the city – all this leaves an unforgettable impression.

The island of Ithaca, made famous by the Odyssey of Homer, is no less famous. In spite of its relatively small dimensions and rocky landscape, the charming bays and gulfs of Ithaca turn it into a paradise on earth. The coastal villages marked by the local color and true to the spirit of the past, the medieval Archangels’ monastery and the almost uninvestigated until now caves are well worth visiting. Among other places of interest on the island are the springs of Arethusa and Perahori. On Ithaca, you will find beautiful beaches, interesting caves and quiet villages sleeping away from the crowds of people and noisy distractions. Of course, Corfu and Ithaca represent the main places of interest of the Ionian Archipelago, but the other islands, as well, could attract tourists with their unsolved mysteries and inimitable charm.

Paxi is the smallest of the Ionian Islands. Having stepped ashore in the small port of Gaios, you will immediately realize that you have arrived in a wonderful micro-world. Indeed, “miniature” is the key word for this island. His surface is so small that you will be easily able to cross it from one end to the other: its length is 10 km, and the maximum width is 4 km. The highest point of the island is the mountain of St. Isavros (250 m above the sea level). All covered with vineyards and olive groves, the island of Paxis looks like a garden in full bloom. Its eastern coast is outlined by the neighboring small islands of Panagia, Agios Nikolaos, Mongonissi and Kaltsionissi.

Lefkada is a rocky island covered with rampant vegetation in its eastern and southern parts. In the eastern, downwind part, the coast is flat, and the sea is spotted with small green islands. The most well-known of them are Skorpios, Madouri and Sparti.

The capital of the island is Lefkada. A quiet colorful town built inside a natural gulf, renowned for its numerous wooden houses.

The next point, which we recommend for you to visit, is the island of Poros with its wonderful pebble beach Mikros Gialos.

The island of Kefalonia, the largest in the Ionic Sea, is famous for the variety of its landscape. For the walls of the fortress in the village of Athos, the infinite sea will reveal itself to your eyes. Take a plunge in the crustal clear waters of Poros, climb the slopes of the mountain Aenos (1628m) covered with thick forest, where a special, the only in the world, type of pine-tree grows. The Drogarati Cave is famous for its stalactites and stalagmites. In the village of Lassi, 1.5 km from Argostoli, there are the famous waterfalls. The capital of the island is Argostoli. From the time of the old city famous for its beauty and destroyed during the earthquake of 1953, only a bridge with characteristic arches and an obelisk in the center has survived.

Zakynthos, the southernmost of the Ionian Islands, is mentioned in the works of Homer; while its name is connected with the name of the son of the Trojan king Dardanus and the builder of the island’s capital – Zakynthos.

All the visitors to the island without exception cannot but concede to the charm of its magical beauty. The Venetians used to call it “the flower of the East”. The first thing you will see will be the city of Zakynthos – the capital, which, although it lost most of its former magnitude after the earthquake of 1953, was rebuilt with taste and attention to the architectural traditions of the Ionian Islands.

Zakynthos has an oblong, almost triangular shape. On the margins, facing each other, there are mountains and hills; while in the middle there extends a valley covered with vineyards, olive and almond groves, and kitchen gardens. The magnificent mountains are topped with woods of pine-trees. The golden sand beaches will welcome you with their clean and calm water. The essence of Zakynthos can be defined with three words: benevolence, nobility and tranquility.