Sailing during a holiday is the ultimate summer feeling! In Greece you can easily rent a boat with friends or family and cross destinations off your bucket list in no time. This is island hopping at its best! This is also one of the safest ways to transport yourself at the moment. Do you think 'it's vacation, I'm letting myself go'? That is also possible! Below you will find the three coolest experiences for each type of 'water rat'.
1. You love sailing – Sail to the Sporades
Fly to Thessaloniki and go to Volos, the port city where you can pick up your boat. But before you go on board, you first have to have lunch at a Tsipouradika on the water. The specialty of Volos is mezes, dishes that you can share, and Tsipouro, a delicious and strong alcoholic drink. The holiday has started well!
Step aboard, meet your Sail Aegean skipper and set sail for the Sporades. You only have to have an eye for all the beauty around you. This trip you will visit the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Syros. The sailing trip has started, the water sparkles like diamonds in the sun and a curious turtle takes a look along the way. The water changes color about 10 times during the trip:Greece really has 50 shades of blue and green!
Skiathos &Skopelos
Skiathos approaches and in the distance you can see the harbor and houses built from low to high in the mountains. When you get closer you see the terraces, you hear the locals chatting enthusiastically in Greek and the smells of fresh fish meet you. Stroll through the cozy city and relax on the beach. Continue to Skopelos. Fan of Mamma Mia? Then you should do Mamma Mia Film Tour. Prefer to explore hidden beaches? The captain will gladly sail you to hidden bays.
Challenge your friends to a splash competition and make sure you have some Greek Vergina beers on board so you can end the day with a beer watching the orange / pink sunset:this is fun! Then dive into your cabin and drift off to sleep.
Alonissos &Skyros
Then there is Alonissos:a hidden gem and green island. Are you one of those people who spends hours staring at the water while on vacation hoping to spot a dolphin? Then head to the nearby National Marine Park, a sanctuary of rare seabirds, dolphins and seals.
Do you like diving? Then this is also the place to be! From August 3, the first underwater museum in Greece will open here. You can spot a wreck of a ship that sank in the 5th century BC with hundreds of amphorae containing wine.
And from Alonissos to Skyros! This island doesn't attract many travelers yet, while you will find many hidden beaches, amazing views, Cycladic-style houses and a delicious specialty:'spaghetti with lobster'.
2. Mini cruise in the Cyclades
Another option to discover the Greek waters is a mini cruise. Then on an 8-day cruise with a small group you will discover the dazzling white villages, golden beaches and clear azure waters of the Cyclades. There is also a myth that these islands were formed after a battle between giants….
The islands on the route
Good! Where do you sail with Yacht Cruise Company, specialized in Small Ship Cruises? You will start in Athens and board the luxurious ship with up to 48 others. On the route you will make a stop at the island of Poros, which actually consists of the two green islands of Sferia and Kalavria. These volcanic islands are best discovered on foot, because then you can stroll along the many fragrant citrus trees and flowers.
You can also expect a real BBQ at sea during the cruise and you can splash in the sea every morning, after which you continue sailing. Wonderful sea life!
But island life also beckons. You will also make a stop at the island of Folegandros, where you will spot impressive rock formations and white houses. This is really the hidden gem of the Cyclades and Delos, which is actually one big archaeological open-air museum! And what about Antiparos? The island where Tom Hanks always spends his summer…
And from star spotting to romantic overnight stays in Santorini and showing off your dancing skills in Paros. Then you can also 'bay hopping' after an afternoon, bar hopping in Mykonos. To end the cruise with a visit to the pastel colored houses of Syros.
3. Day sailing in Sifnos or Lipsi
(c) Sifnos Island Cruises
Sifnos
Do you want to sail yourself? Fly a direct flight to Santorini, book a boat with Sifnos Boating and sail to Sifnos, the westernmost island of the Cyclades. Along the way, you'll have breathtaking views of the luminous blue waters, secluded beaches and the freedom to stop wherever you want.
Sifnos not only has the typical Cycladic architecture, it is also an island for foodies. You can eat delicious goat and sheep cheese, chickpea soup that is prepared in ceramic pots and homemade cakes. And to top it off, it's a wonderfully fragrant island because it grows sage, chamomile, oregano, thyme and marjoram.
Lipsi
Would you rather race across the water to a pristine part of Greece? Then Lipsi is a good idea! This island in the Dodecanese, near Kos, is surrounded by turquoise water and is secretly not only a paradise for water lovers but also for adventurers.
On Lipsi you will find 26 beaches, most of which are unspoilt. Do you want to combine pampering with adventure? How about alternating an afternoon of sailing with water sports or a hike or bike ride on the island?
Whatever 'boating experience' you choose, the Greek waters will continue to amaze you!
