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This company is certified by the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs Registration no: F3344.1/616/2000 |
From the Aegean to the Ionian
(20-27 of June 2010)
This cruise is unique, because it involves crossing the Corinthian Canal and stopping at Galaxidi, which is the ideal place for visiting the ancient site of Delphi on the mainland. It involves 2 longish sails, the first from Aegina to Galaxidi and the second from Trizonia to Oxia, during which there will probably not be a stop for a swim and we will have lunch on the way.
From Oxia, the crossings between the islands for the rest of the cruise will involve 4-5 hours of sailing per day, which will include a couple of hours stop in a deserted bay for swimming, snorkeling and lunch. Arrival at the destination each day will be around 4 o'clock in the evening.
Sunday 20th of June (Athens - Aegina)
On Sunday it will be ideal if everyone flies to Athens in the morning, so that the cruise can start early in the afternoon. The first day we will sail to the island of Aegina in the Saronic, which is 15 miles away.
Monday 21st of June (Aegina - Corinthian Canal - Galaxidi)
This is the one of the two longer days, starting from Aegina early in the morning and getting to the Corinthian Canal 3-4 hours later. Normally we need to wait for up to one hour moored on the quay until we are instructed to go through, and then the crossing should take just under one hour. Once we are out of the canal, we will stop at a nearby beach for a swim and then we will sail through the Gulf of Corinth to the village of Galaxidi, which is 40 miles away. The total distance covered this day will be around 60 miles.
Tuesday 22nd of June (Galaxidi - Trizonia)
On Tuesday we will spend the morning in Galaxidi, so that those who would like to visit the site of Ancient Delphi (60 Km away)
can take the local transport to go there. The rest can enjoy a quite morning in this picturesque village. Sometime in the afternoon and once everyone is back, we will set sail for a bay, stop there for a swim and lunch, and then continue for the tiny island of Trizonia which is 20 miles away.
Wednesday 23rd of June (Trizonia - Oxia or Ithaca)
This is the second long crossing of this cruise, starting at Trizonia after breakfast and sailing for a few more hours in the Gulf of Corinth, before we pass under the longest suspended bridge in Europe and enter the Gulf of Patra. From there, we will have another 35 miles to the Ionian Sea and most likely we will stay for the night at the bay north of the deserted island called Oxia, which is the gate to the Ionian.
If we have made good progress during the day and it is still early, instead of stopping at Oxia, we will continue for the island of Ithaca, which is a further 20 miles to the west. Also, if the weather allows in the afternoon (the harbor is tiny and with any wind it is impossible to manoeuvre a big yacht inside it), we will make a short stop at the picturesque village of Nafpaktos, whose harbor is actually inside the walls of a small Venetian castle.
Thursday 24th of June (Oxia - Kalamos)
On Thursday we will sail north in the Ionian Sea and stop for a few hours at one of the uninhabited islands for swimming and lunch, before we continue for the small island of Kalamos. The distance covered this day will be 20 miles and we will arrive there in the early evening.
Friday 25th of June (Kalamos - Meganisi)
The destination will be the olive-covered island of Meganisi, and as usual sometime in the afternoon we will stop in a deserted bay for lunch, snorkeling and swimming. The distance covered this day will be 10 miles, so there will be a lot of time for water sports in the bay.
Saturday 26th of June (Meganisi - Scorpios - Lefkas)
From Meganisi it will be a short sail to Aristotle Onassis' private island Scorpios where we will spend a few hours in a picturesque bay, before setting sail again for Lefkas. The distance covered will be 11 miles.
Sunday 27th of June
The cruise will end at 10a.m., unless you are staying
one more week for a cruise around the rest of the Ionian Islands.
About the Corinthian Canal
To get from the Aegean to the Ionian Sea in the old days, you had to sail all the way around the south of the Peloponnese which meant covering very big distances as well as negotiating the notorious cape Maleas which is famous for its violent gales. Another option was to have your ship carried over the 6 kilometer wide strip of land at Corinth, which connected the mainland with the Peloponnese. This second option involved the use of cylindrical tree trunks placed under the ship, while dozens of men or horses were pulling with ropes, and this option was obviously quite costly. The ancient stone path used for that purpose was called diolkos and can still be seen alongside the canal.
Last century the construction of the Corinthian Canal was completed (the first attempt was actually nearly three thousand years ago, in the 7th century BC), and although it is still costly with fees as high as 25000 Euro for a cruise liner, things are made a lot easier for shipping this way.
It is a breathtaking experience going with a yacht through this 'slit' of rock which is only 21 meters wide, 80 meters high above sea level and 6300 meters long!
About Ancient Delphi
The site of ancient Delphi is situated at the foot of the spectacular mount Parnasos and it was the most important oracle of ancient Greece. Its existence goes back to the prehistoric times and whole cities, kings as well as individuals would consult the priestesses, expressing their gratitude with great gifts and spreading its fame around the world.
Archaeological excavations began in 1860 (after having to move a whole village which was situated over the site!!!) and brought to the surface spectacular remains which can be seen there. It is a unique experience walking through the ancient structures and buildings which are surrounded by imposing mountains, as the views are really breathtaking. The museum is definitely worth a visit as well, because that is where all those thousands of objects and gifts to the oracle which were brought up by the excavation, are kept for safety.
The temple of Delphi was dedicated to god Apollo and it should be mentioned here that according to myth, every ship sailing past this area had to stop to pay their tribute. The ones who didn't, met a horrible death as Apollo launched his arrows against them from his temple high up in the mountains! Just in case, we have included in our itinerary a stop at the village of Galaxidi which is not far from Delphi, as you can never know with those ancient gods....!!!
Useful Tips
Flights
Normally it is not cost efficient to get a one way flight from your country to Athens and another one from Preveza airport (the one serving Lefkas) back to your country.
You should get a return flight to Athens and at the end of the cruise you can get from Lefkas to Athens by coach (trip duration 5 hours 30 minutes, cost 31 Euro), or by domestic flight (trip duration 1 hour, cost 70-90 Euro).
Transfers
Transfers between the yacht in Lefkas and Preveza airport or Lefkas bus station are included in the price of your cruise, however your transfers between Athens airport and the yacht at the beginning of your cruise, are not included. You can use the local transport system as there is a good connection with the metro between the airport and the marina. Your bus or plane trip back to Athens from Lefkas is also not included in the price of your cruise.
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