You have probably seen the white-painted villages and the azure Greek sea a million times on postcards, but not even the best pictures can match reality. On this trip you get the chance to see these beautiful views from the water on a delicious boat, discover the ancient Greek myths and feel the wings of history.
Join us on an exciting voyage with a wonderful boat where freedom and flexibility are the key words. There is no fixed sailing schedule here, but your captain knows the coziest bays and the many exciting excursion possibilities. Enjoy life on board, the crystal clear Greek sea and sleep comfortably in your cabin aboard the 52-foot sailboat. The boat is equipped with 4 double cabins, 3 bathrooms and two showers. There is a kitchenette on board and you can eat both indoors and outdoors. If you want, you can sleep under the magical starry sky on the deck. We have spiced up the sailing experience with a few nights on beautiful Santorini and a few nights in Athens where you can, for example, experience the Acropolis and enjoy the atmosphere of the big city.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia to Santorini
With the bag packed, the course is set towards the beautiful island of Santorini, known for its charming white houses in contrast to the clear, blue sea. On Santorini you stay in a guest house in Fira, a beautiful and picturesque village with the characteristic white painted houses with blue windows and doors, narrow cobbled streets with black lava stones and blue dome churches known from the many pictures from the island.
Day 2: Santorini on your own
Today you have a day on your own. You can walk the streets, experience Red Beach at Akrotiri with its beautiful red cliffs, the lighthouse with amazing sunsets, go wine tasting or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings. We highly recommend a dinner at the Metaxí Mas restaurant in the neighboring town of Exo Gonia.
Day 3: Boarding the sailboat
You will meet other guests and crew on the boat at Marina Vlychada. Here you get an initial safety briefing before boarding the beautiful 52-foot sailboat and enjoying the first night at sea. The boat has 4 double cabins, 3 bathrooms and 2 showers. You can eat and relax both under a roof or on the deck and you can also sleep in the open air with a direct view of the beautiful starry sky.
Day 4-6: Sailing in the Cyclades
The days are designed according to the group’s wishes, but there is an obvious stop on the island of Ios. Here you can enjoy the view of the classic white houses with blue roofs perched on the sloping hills. There is also a fine amphitheater and you can visit the cemetery of Homer, the famous ancient Greek poet. If you want to move around a bit, there is a beautiful walk of half an hour up to the ancient city of Charos where you can enjoy the classic Greek island atmosphere with stunning views of the bluest of seas. We can also recommend a dip in at the famous Manganari beach in the south of the island. If you wish, a day trip to Naxos can be arranged with the skipper as a guide. Stop at Dimitra’s temple, the Droisiani church where you can see murals from the sixth century and a small microbrewery for a cold beer. You can have lunch at a local tavern.
Day 7: Mykonos
Visit one of the more cosmopolitan islands in Greece. There is nightlife for festive but also beautiful and more family-friendly beaches, and as on all Greek islands, lots of historical sights. You can visit the local windmills or have a cocktail on a terrace overlooking “little Venice”.
Day 8-11: From Mykonos onwards in the Cyclades
In the next few days, you can, for example, make a stop on the islands of Syros, Paros, Sifnos and Folegandros.
Syros has a jumble of small, picturesque streets with small shops and lovely taverns. You can use your legs a bit and do a hike, swim at one of the small beaches or why not dive.
Paros is an island really worth visiting – it is not unknown among tourists, but at the same time there is no abundance of visitors. We can recommend a dinner at the Anthimeze Paros restaurant, which serves delicious snacks. You can also go up to the mountain that looks like a sugar peak from which you have a magnificent view of the island. The island also offers vineyards, olive groves and in the spring you can enjoy the beautiful, flowering fruit trees. The city of Livadhi is a lovely place to enjoy a few hours at one of the charming taverns.
Sifnos
Take a walk past the snow-white houses, the small churches with blue domes and green hills leading down to sandy beaches. The island is known for its small pottery workshops, some of which are open to tourists.
Folegandros
One of the islands you must not miss nor the beautiful town of Chora located in the mountains. The city has a car-free main street with many small oases you can explore. You definitely need your camera when you walk around the white houses with flowering bougainvilleas and maybe your GoPro when you swim in the clear sea.
Day 12: Back on Santorini and on to Athens
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the captain and the other guests. You fly to Athens where you have a few days to digest the many impressions you have received and explore the charming capital. A visit to the Acropolis is self-written or why not a day trip to Delphi. [(F)]
Day 13: Athens on its own
If you want we can arrange a full day excursion for you, e.g. to Delphi or you can use the day to explore the Acropolis and enjoy the beautiful view from the mountain. You can also walk along the three-kilometer-long ancient promenade that stretches through the old town. Feel the atmosphere and watch the older men discuss the world situation among pillar remains and pale mosaics, ending at the Thisio area where there is a large selection of cafes and restaurants. [(F)]
Day 14: Return trip
Today it’s time to return to Scandinavia after a wonderful sailing adventure in Greece.
Overnight stays
Two nights at a guest house in Fira on Santorini
Nine nights on board the sailboat, part of a double cabin
Two nights at a 3 * hotel in central Athens