If you are thinking about coming to Greece this summer, there is a great chance that you will spend some time on a boat, whether it is for some hours only or for a full week of sailing! The Greek Islands are the perfect destination for your sailing vacations where you will be rewarded with great weather, beautiful scenery, yummy food and so much more. But there are different ways to enjoy them from the sea, and there is a solution for each budget and for everyone’s dream. Among the 6 000+ islands of the country, you will find different ambiance, activities and things to see and do so you should prepare and select the ones that corresponds you the most beforehand. We have highlighted our favourite ones for sailing on our previous article so let’s focus here on what cruising mode you should opt for according to the money you want to spend and the things you want to do. Think about how you behave at sea and how many days you imagine you can spend on board of a boat and let’s see what options are better fitted to you need.   Bareboat Charter for a week on a sailboat or a catamaran Chartering a boat without skipper nor crew is the option that will give you the most freedom. This is the best suited solution if you are going on vacation among friends and if one or more of you already have a sailing license valid in Greece and feel comfortable skipping. It also comes of course with responsibility as you will have to manage the boat on your own at all times. So if it has been a long time that your designated skipper has sailed or if the rest of the group has no experience at all in sailing, maybe you should hire a crew and not take the risk of wasting your holidays with a bad itinerary or bad decision at sea. Keep in mind that the Aegean Sea can be quite rough during summer, with the meltemi blowing almost all the time. In terms of budget, a bareboat charter can be affordable if you are maximizing the number of passengers and the cabins available on board. Make sure you really know your friends as you will be 24 hours a day with them on a small space. A catamaran will give you more space while still living the sailing experience you might have been dreaming of, but will of course costs more than a monohull. Crewed Charter for a week on a sailboat or a catamaran For more relaxing holidays, hire a crewed monohull or catamaran. This is the most common option in Greece, as you will not need to worry about anything else than your tan. You skipper will suggest an itinerary based on the weather forecast and you can make together a decision about the islands and beaches you can visit without problem during your week. If you also chose to hire an host/hostess, he/she will take care of the cleaning and the cooking for you, giving you more time to discover the bays you will stop at or going on land adventures once moored on an island. This is of course a luxurious option that might not be accessible to everyone. If you still want to experience it with your friends or family but don’t want to spend a fortune, think about coming to Greece at the lower season, in May or in September/October for example, where the prices are more reasonable and the islands as well as the seas are less crowded.   A few days on a sailboat You want to have your sailing holidays but do not feel comfortable spending a full week on board? Think about chartering a sailboat for one night or 2. This will give you the chance to experience sailing life but still gives you time to discover the country by land as well on the rest of your holidays. This is the perfect option for a couple, to spend a few days literally floating on a dream. A great opportunity to spend a bit of your honeymoon or celebrate an occasion with your loved one on a surprising setting. In Greece, you will find possibility to do so directly on some islands, some sailing boat offering this service, where you will be sailing around the island itself and probably one or more islands as well during your stay on board. Milos is of course a great destination to do so, the island coastline being absolutely breathtaking and having also few islands very close by, such as Poliegos or Kimolos, which makes for a great sailing trip of several days. In terms of costs, the company will most likely offer you a package price, that includes everything, from the crew to the fuel and staying fees. Some prices might include as well as the provisions for your whole stay or at least the costs for breakfast and lunch, giving you the opportunity to discover local taverns for dinners at the port you will stay. Check out our offer and suggested itinerary for a 3 days/2 nights stay on board of our sailboat La Pomme Bleue!   Private Day cruise around an island If your holidays are too short for a multiday adventure or you don’t feel like spending a might on a moving boat, a private full day cruise might be the solution for you! Imagine spending one day just sailing from beach to beach, swimming in crystal-clear water, admiring gorgeous landscape from the deck of a sailboat and taking all the sun you can on deck. This experience is perfectly suited for a couple wanted a quick get away from the civilisation, or a group of friends or a family wishing to spend a good times all together for one day. This cruise usually comes all inclusive, from the crew that will be at your service all day, to the food, drinks

Discovering Greece by boat is probably one of the best decisions you can take this summer. Sailing holidays hopping between islands and exploring beaches, undiscovered bays and stunning nature is an amazing way to travel and can be more accessible than you might have imagined. Greece is an increasing popular destination for yachting and sailing is the best way to do it. Most of Greece’s seabed is sandy so it gives you excellent anchorages, giving you the possibility to not be limited to marinas. Because waking up anchored on a secluded bay and taking a dive in transparent water in the morning is just the best way to start the day! So, here is our choice of best sailing destinations in Greece for your next holidays. Where to start your charter from? The most popular and practical departure point is Piraeus port and its different marinas on the south coast of Athens: Zea, Flisvos and Alimos. Lavrio, on the eastern coast of Greece is also a sailing departure for many sailboats and is the ideal port if you want to cruise around the Cyclades islands. Where to sail? Greece is surrounded by the Aegean and the Ionian seas. The former is a very popular destination among sailors, thanks to the sunny and mostly stable weather, the lack of tides or strong currents. Here you will find the perfect picture of Greece: crystal clear water, picturesque ports and countless islands and bays as magnificent one from the other. The main thing you will have to count with here is the Meltemi, this northern wind that blows during summer, from May to September, and can get pretty strong, up to force 9 on the Beaufort scale. The Ionian sea is not as famous as the Aegean sea but offers beautiful locations, which makes it a great reason to go explore it. June to September are the best months for sailing there, with a sea usually calm and a gentle wind blowing steadily, with occasional gusts. While the water is generally very calm in the south, sailing can be a bit rougher in the north. Let’s take a closer look at the different islands that you should explore during your sailing holidays. The Cyclades This archipelago is made up of thirty larger islands and approximately another 190 islets with a total area spanning over 2,500 km2. As the islands are not too far apart, the Cyclades offer an amazing diversity of experiences. In a week, you can already explore many ports and bays, visiting a different island everyday if you wish. As it is a popular destination, we advise you to stay away from the busiest islands, Mykonos or Santorini as the archipelago has so much more to offer. Milos If you decide to go sailing in the Cyclades, Milos will probably be your favourite destination (and maybe we are not so objective here …). The island has everything you can wish for and you can easily spend 2 to 3 days sailing around and explore its numerous secluded beaches. You will also find here very unusual rock formations and high cliffs that plunge into the sea, making it a breathtaking landscape. Milos has the largest number of beaches of all the Cyclades islands so it will be easy to have some privacy, even in the middle of August as there will always be a bay where you will be alone. Spending the night in the famous bay of Kleftiko and its white rock formations and its caves, exploring the West side of the island and its wild beaches, arriving by sea to the famous Sarakiniko bay, these are some of the best things to do around Milos. It is also very easy to take a look at the nearby non-inhabited island of Poliegos, with it crystal-clear waters and its hidden little bays. Paros and Naxos Paros is situated in the heart of the Cyclades and is famous for its many sandy beaches, beautiful countryside and traditional villages. Discover hidden alleyways in Parikia, leisure in the afternoon in Naoussa or immerse yourself in Kolymbithres Beach, the seawater sculptures of golden sand around granite rocks.  This is also the perfect spot for kitesurfing or windsurfing, the strong winds blowing regularly around there. Naxos, located on its opposite side is the largest island in the Cyclades. You can enjoy the many beautiful beaches here and discover mountain villages off the beaten track when you take a trip by land. You can also enjoy the sunset, heading North of the capital to Palatia islet and its unfinished Temple of Apollo. The 2500-year-old marble doorway, named Portara, faces the island of Delos and is the most famous picture of the island, when the sun sets over this mythical gate of the god Apollo. Koufonisia The islands of Koufonisia in the Small Cyclades archipelago are probably the most beautiful tourist destination for those who are looking for idyllic, tranquil evenings. In modern Greek slang, the word “Koufo” means “unbelievable” and when you arrive, you’ll see why. These small, unspoilt islands have surprisingly good sailing infrastructure, so disembarking won’t be a problem and we recommend exploring the whole archipelago, Kato Koufonisia, where you’ll find only a few fishermen’s houses and a picturesque church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Koufonisia itself, the smallest but most densely populated island of the Cyclades with a population of around 350. The main occupation here is fishing, making the island a genuine fishing village, where visitors can enjoy fresh fish and seafood. It’s also worth mentioning the village of Chora on the southwest coast of the island as a typical example of Cycladic architecture. Delos and Rineia Not far from Naxos and Mykonos lies the small uninhabited island of Delos, which is way quieter option than its neighbours.  You can only reach the island by boat and no one is allowed to stay for the night here as a big part of the island is ancient archaeological sites and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is here that Apollo and Artemis are considered to have been born and as the

Cruising the seas on a private yacht is many people’s idea of a dream vacation. But, when that dream finally comes true, what exactly should you expect onboard? Discover how to perfectly plan your holiday week on board and tips on what to bring with you. 3 Different Types of Charter Yacht The first thing you need to decide before chartering a boat is what type of package you want. These different types of charter dictate the atmosphere and ambience during your trip. Here are a quick description of your 3 options: Bareboat charter Bareboat Charter is an agreement between a Yacht Owner or a Fleet Operator (chartering the boat on the owner’s behalf) that gives the charterer full utility of the charter yacht, together with responsibility, for the boat, in return for payment. As you can imagine, this option is ideal for guests looking for a little extra privacy during their trip, or groups with experienced sailors who would relish a hands-on holiday, giving you freedom and letting you self explore at maximum. Crewed charter On a crewed yacht charter, you simply rent a yacht complete with a crew. This usually includes a skipper, a host or hostess who takes care of the cleaning, cooking and making sure everybody is comfortable, and any other personnel needed to complete your journey in maximum comfort, including a chef in the most luxurious options. Crewed charters allow guests to simply sit back and enjoy the ride, without having to actually get involved in running the yacht. It is all about customer service, personalised attention and your skipper will make sure the itinerary is expertly-organised. Each of these two charter types are more common in different parts of the world. Yacht charters in Greece, for example, is usually done with a skipper and a hostess, ensuring you have a good and worry less time on board. All-inclusive charter A crewed charter is not all inclusive as any other activity you would like to do during your week will be at extra costs, such as the use of water sport equipment or any on-land activity. This is something that an all-inclusive charter will integrate. Think scuba diving, jet ski, paddle board, hiking tours on the different islands you will visit but also premium drinks or other luxuries. If you’re looking for the complete luxury charter yacht experience, an all-inclusive itinerary might be right for you.   What should you bring with you? When chartering a boat, you should keep in mind that most of the equipment you will need are already provided, so no need to over-pack. In most cases, kitchen appliances and utensils, bed and linens, TVs or projectors and also water sport equipment are included. Keep also in mind that on board, space is usually reduced so whatever you bring should be essential to your week. Moreover, a good charter experience is all about simplicity and you will probably be sailing through warm water and where the sun is shining. That will most likely be the case if you charter your boat in Greece. Therefore, bring casual and breezy beach attire and swimsuits of course. Nevertheless, you never know how the sea will behave during your week so make sure to also have some warmer and waterproof clothes, such as a windbreaker jacket. Regarding shoes, bring a pair with rubber soles to be able to wear them on deck as well as during excursions on land. Adequate sun protection is vital aboard your charter yacht trip, ensuring you can spend as much time as possible above deck, enjoying the surrounding ocean and spectacular scenery under the Greek summer sun. So bring a good sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats and a light and loose-fitting cover-ups if your skin is fragile. Plenty of reef-safe sunscreen is a must, as well as sunglasses, sun hats and breezy, loose-fitting cover-ups. While simplicity is key, if you’re planning on participating in any activities, such as scuba diving or surfing, you may need to pack your own equipment, depending on the vessel’s facilities. What to do during your week on board? While direct access to the ocean and sun-soaked decks with stunning vistas should be plenty to keep you entertained, most charter boats come equipped with facilities to pass the time. Complimentary stand-up paddleboards or kayaks are often included in the price, allowing for some exploration whenever the boat is moored. Usually, snorkelling equipment including masks, snorkels and fins are also offered so make sure you explore the blue and transparent waters around you. Some boats will also have equipment for fishing if you want to feel like you have earned your dinner! Except for water activities, in case of a crewed charter, your skipper and crew will generally suggest some excursions on land to take during your trip and will most likely have the right contacts on the different islands you will visit to ensure you have a quality time. Whether it is treks through natural ad stunning areas, visits of villages, cultural tours, etc. Your crew will also most probably have some secrets spots to share with you and you should definitely follow their advice!