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This company is certified by the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs Registration no: F3344.1/616/2000 |
From the Ionian to the Aegean
(22/09/2010 - 02/10/2010)
The highlights of this cruise are crossing the Corinthian Canal and stopping at Galaxidi which is the ideal place for a visit to the ancient site of Delphi on the mainland. It involves 2 longish sails, the first from Ithaca to Trizonia and the second from Galaxidi to Korfos, during which there will not be a stop for a swim and we will have our lunches on the way.
In the Ionian and the Saronic, the crossings between the islands will involve 4-5 hours of sailing per day, which will include a stop for a couple of hours in a deserted bay for swimming, snorkeling and lunch.
Wednesday 22nd of September (Lefkas - Meganisi)
On Wednesday sometime in the early evening and once all our guests have arrived onboard, we will set sail for the olive covered island of Meganisi which is 10 miles away.
Thursday 23rd of September (Meganisi - Kalamos)
In the morning we will drop anchor for a few hours of swimming and snorkeling to one of the numerous bays on the north coast of Meganisi and after lunch we will set sail again for the small island of kalamos where we will arrive in the early evening. The distance covered this day will be around 10 miles.
Friday 24th of September (Kalamos - Ithaca)
On Friday we will leave Kalamos in the morning and sail to the deserted island of Atokos for swimming/snorkeling and lunch, with its amazing turquoise waters. Then, as we sail towards Ithaca you will wonder what Odysseus was feeling a few thousand years ago, as you see the tops of its mountains on the horizon and hour after hour you are getting closer to that beautiful island! We will arrive there in the early evening after having covered 20 miles.
Saturday 25th of September (Ithaca - Trizonia)
This is the one of the two longer days of this cruise, making an early start in the morning and having breakfast as well as lunch on the way. We will sail from the Ionian through the Gulf of Patra and we will end our day in the evening at the tiny island of Trizonia, which is in the Gulf of Corinth. The total distance covered this day will be around 70 miles and we will sail under the longest suspended bridge in Europe, which connects the mainland with the Peloponnese!!
Sunday 26th of September (Trizonia - Galaxidi)
On Sunday, after we leave Trizonia we will stop in a bay for a few hours for our swim and lunch, before we set sail again along the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth for the small picturesque village of Galaxidi. The views along the route are magnificent, as we are surrounded by high mountains and the distance covered this day will be around 20 miles.
Monday 27th of September (Galaxidi - Corinthian Canal - Korfos)
In the morning we will spend a few hours in Galaxidi, so those interested to visit the famous site of ancient Delphi, can take the local transport and spend some time sightseeing. It is around 60 km away, so you will need to take the bus or a taxi. The rest can enjoy a quite morning in this picturesque village and once everyone is back, we will set sail for the Corinthian Canal, which is 35 miles away.
At the entrance to the canal we may have to wait for up to one hour before we are instructed to go through, and the crossing takes just under one hour. The canal is the gateway to the Aegean and once we are out at the other side, we will head for the small village of Korfos on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese, where we will arrive after sunset. The total distance covered this day will be around 65 miles.
Tuesday 28th of September (Korfos - Vathi)
After breakfast we will sail through some of the small uninhabited islands of the area and stop in one of the numerous bays for swimming/snorkeling and lunch, before we set sail again for the tiny village of Vathi on the Methana Peninsula. The village is actually situated on the side of a volcano which is not active any more, however it is still dormant. The distance covered this day will be around 20 miles.
If anyone is interested in visiting the famous ancient theater of Epidavros, we can combine a visit there in the morning with our stop for swimming, as it is only 5 miles from Korfos.
Wednesday 29th of September (Vathi - Poros)
On Wednesday we will sail around the Methana Peninsula, stop in a bay for swimming/lunch and in the evening arrive to the island of Poros, which is very picturesque and shouldn't be missed. It will be another relaxed day, as the distance covered will be the usual 20 miles.
Thursday 30th of September (Poros - Aegina)
After leaving Poros in the morning we will stop at one of the numerous bays in the area, where we will spend a few hours, before taking the sails up and heading for the island of Aegina. It is famous for its pistachios and the best preserved ancient temple (the Temple of Afaia). The distance covered this day will be 17 miles.
Friday 1st of October (Aegina - Athens)
On the last leg of our cruise we will stop at the uninhabited islands of 'Lagouses' for a swim and lunch, before we set sail again for Zea marina in Piraeus (the port of Athens), which is our final destination.
Saturday 2nd of October
The cruise will end at 10a.m.
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....!!!
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!
Useful Tips
Flights
Normally it is not cost efficient to get a one way flight from your country to Preveza airport (the one serving Lefkas) and another one from Athens back to your country.
You should get a return flight to Athens and at the beginning of the cruise you can get to Lefkas by bus (trip duration 5 hours 30 minutes, cost 31 Euro), or by domestic flight (trip duration 1 hour, cost 70-90 Euro).
Transfers
The transfers to/from the yacht are not included in the price of this cruise. At Lefkas you can get a taxi from the bus station or airport to the yacht (around 5 Euro and 35 Euro respectively). At Athens you can use the local transport system as there is a good connection with the metro between the marina and the airport. Your bus or plane trip from Athens to Lefkas is also not included in the price of your cruise.
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