The adventure begins in the dynamic city of Athens, the capital of Greece. We recommend arriving early and spending a few days in the city to shake off jet lag and to see the major historical sites: the Acropolis, Parthenon & Odeon, the Agora (ancient marketplace) and the National Archaeological Museum among other attractions. Visit the Plaka, a charming and safe tourist district in the heart of the city where you will find traditional tavernas (Greek restaurants), unique souvenir & clothing shops and friendly Athenians. A good taverna in the Plaka is Nefeli (24 Panos St) and for something different, the Garden of Eden (Vegetarian). Arrangements can also be made for 1 to 8 day land tours to sites in the interior of Greece (Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Sparta, Meteora etc). We offer 3 to 5 star hotels near the famed Acropolis. We can arrange transfers, however taxies or the buses are the most convenient way to get from the airport to hotels or to the yachts. Please contact our office for these services.

DAY 1

‘By the cabin’ guests should arrive at the marina no earlier than the embarkation time of 17:00 after a day spent in Athens sightseeing. Flotilla guests should come to the marina at approximately 2:00pm to do provisioning and yacht ‘check in’ procedures. A flotilla welcome and chart briefing is given at Il Fungho Restaurant between 19:30 and 22:00, while guests enjoy their meal. We have a ‘sleep over’ in Athens the first night.

The next morning we sail early to Aghia Marina Bay on Aegina island (12 miles, 2 hours). Aegina was the home of the first Greek government and boasts the best pistachio nuts in the world! Upon Arriving, guests dinghy ashore and can take a 1.5 hour round trip uphill hike to see the famous Temple of Aphaia. (490 B.C). This is one of the most strenuous hikes and guests who choose not to hike can explore the quaint village. After the trek up to the temple, crewmates can enjoy a swim in the crystal clear bay and have lunch while underway to Poros Island (16 miles, 2.5 hours). When viewed from seaward, Poros is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece -get the camera ready! Poros offers an excellent opportunity early in the trip to practice ‘Mediterranean Mooring’. Once all the yachts are tied up, enjoy a late afternoon cocktail aboard or explore the harbor by foot. The highlight of the day is a walk up to the clock tower at sunset through fig trees, cactus, bougainvillea, jasmine and cypress. The walk ends with a splendid meal under a roof of grape vines at the Garden Taverna whose specialty is ‘Octopus in wine sauce’ and lamb ‘Klefliko’.

Yachts motor, single file, through the narrow channel between Poros and the majestic Peleponnese coast. At Bourtzi Island (20 minutes away), yachts slow to take pictures of the Venetian fort that once defended this narrow passage. A short sail brings guests to the tranquil splendor of Spathi Island (6 miles, 1 hours) for lunch and a swim in the bay. After lunch, yachts set sail for the famous island of Hydra (5 miles, 1 hours) arriving before 15:00 in order to get a good spot along the small, crowded wharfs. The harbor is very busy in the summer months and yachts regularly raft three deep -bow to stern, so expect to be boarded! The real beauty of Hydra is the historic 17th Century architecture and the fact that there are no motorized vehicles on the island –only donkey power! Visitors will find art expositions, local handicrafts, exquisite clothing & jewelry shops and fine dining. Excellent value is found at many shops for silver, gold and precious stones. ‘Haggle’ is the word of the day. Stop by Mai Tai for a chat with friendly owners Ruth and Kosta. They offer the most exquisite Byzantine and ancient Greek jewelry designs and give excellent discounts to sailing clients. Sunset is best viewed from the fort or at nearby Hydranetta, a beautiful cocktail bar built into the cliffs. Dinner is at Kristina & Manolis Taverna’s roof garden and is one of the best tavernas on our carefully researched gastronomic circuit! Favorite dishes are all the starters including deep fried Saganaki cheese, Fava (giant bean) dip, beetroots served with Skordalia (garlic sauce), grilled peppers stuffed with feta and of course Greek salad! After dinner, we hit the nightlife at Amalour and Pirates Bar! * Hydra is an old Pirates Port occasionally honored by having a Poseidon Pirates Happy Hour. Guests celebrate by dressing up as pirates on the boats!

DAY 4

Enjoy more sight-seeing, shopping and a hike along the coastal pathway to picturesque Kamini harbor. A second night in Hydra is enjoyed however, seasonally and weathering permitting, we may leave Hydra harbour in the afternoon for a beach BBQ. ‘By the cabin’ guests can exchange lunch ashore in Hydra for the BBQ dinner. A great lunch spot is Kodylenia’s Taverna or enjoy a Thai lunch at the Vigla Restaurant. Flotilla guests are welcome to join in on the BBQ with their own food or ask the Program Director to include them in the BBQ provisioning for a small fee.
*The beach BBQ is completely weather dependent. Captains and Program Directors may also decide to forego the BBQ based on the logistics of the group.

DAY 5

The yacht departs Hydra at 06:00 for the long haul out into the Cycladic islands (65 miles, 10 hours) and arrives before sunset at Adamas Port on Milos. After a quick drink and a shower, guests board a bus (seasonal) and head to the ‘Chora’ (Cycladic hilltop town) to see an ancient Greek amphitheatre at the site where the enigmatic Venus of Milos was found. A magical evening follows at Ergina’s Ouzeri, overlooking Milos’ huge volcanic crater. This restaurant features over sixty local delicacies all homemade and enticingly fresh. They make their own pasta, mayonnaise and even sun dry the tomatoes on the roof! A bus or taxis are used to return to the port.

DAY 6

Half the day is dedicated to exploring the geological gem of Milos. Guests can rent small cars or minivans from Kozmoz Rentals and visit: Papafraga, a huge grotto (hike over a path with the sea rushing by 200 feet below), Sarakiniko (a spectacular glacier-cut creek), Madrakia (beautiful little fishing village), fabulous deserted beaches and many other sites including the geological museum which is a ‘must see’. In the afternoon the yachts may circle the west coast of Milos bound for Kleftiko (18 miles, 3 hours). Upon arrival, afternoon activities include swimming, snorkeling and motoring in the dinghy through the cliffs, grottos & caves. ‘By the cabin’ guests will enjoy a delicious Italian meal on the lead yachts prepared by the guests and crew. The most dramatic night of the tour follows – eating topside under the stars of the bright Aegean night sky. The fantastic cliff setting makes this stop one of the highlights of the tour. * A second night in Adamas or elsewhere will be substituted based on the weather or on the logistics of the group.

DAY 7

The next day the fleet sails on an easterly course for the island of Ios (50 miles, 8 hours). ‘Flotilla’ boats booked on a one-way ‘Athens-Paros’ route, will leave the fleet in the morning and head for our drop-off base at Paros Island. For the rest of the fleet, Ios is the halfway point on the tour and offers a safe harbour for guests to leave the yachts and access beautiful Santorini by ferry. Ferry tickets are purchased by guests upon arrival at Ios for the ferry the next morning. Ios boasts beautiful beaches and there may be time to see famous Milopotas by bus upon arrival, or walk to a lovely beach 10 minutes away. For dinner, guests can take a bus up to the chora and enjoy an exquisite meal at Lord Byron's Taverna. Many guests agree that Lord Byron's Taverna is the best restaurant on the 2–week tour. Other good restaurants are Ali Baba’s and Pinnochio’s. Ios is notorious for the nightlife and the 100+ discos and clubs up on the chora. Ask your Skipper/Program Director about the pub–crawl!

DAY 8

Crewmembers take a high-speed ferry to Santorini (30mins). Santorini is a two-night excursion that allows guests the weekend to explore the famed ‘caldera’ and spend two nights in the comfort of a villa/apartment or hotel room. The ‘caldera’ is a spectacular 6-mile round volcanic crater formed in the eruption of 1500BC. Accommodations and sites are 45 minutes or more apart so rental cars are arranged in advance for touring the island. Guests stay in the exquisite heritage town of Oia, which clings to the NW edge of the crater. As indicated in all the guidebooks Oia is the most beautiful town on the island and we suggest that guests get to their accommodations and sit back to take in the crater view. Later, guests can wander the pedestrian streets, watch the famous sunset then find a great restaurant for dinner. For an inexpensive lunch or dinner, Anemomilos Hotel’s Restaurant is hard to beat for great Greek fare! For 5-star cuisine you will need to make reservations at 1800 or Amvrosia.* In Ios the flotilla yachts are looked after by our staff. Engines are run to keep fridges cool and batteries charged.

DAY 9:

Touring the island, the first stop is the entombed Minoan town of Akrotiri and/or the hilltop settlement of Ancient Thira, whose inhabitants are said to be the ‘lost civilization of Atlantis’! Later enjoy lunch at the black sand beach Perissa, excellent wine tasting at famous vineyards and visit museums and unique shopping at Thira. Other great restaurants for night two in Oia are Stala, or Sunset Taverna down at Amoudi Bay -for the best seafood. * The two–night excursion to Santorini allows guests to explore this beautiful island and makes for a break from the boats. It is recommended to stay in one of our pre–arranged villa/apartments overlooking the volcanic caldera, or in less expensive hotel accommodations. New model rental cars can meet guests at the ferry port as buses and taxis are unreliable. Please contact our office in advance for all Santorini arrangements.

DAY 10

After the crew returns to Ios by ferry, the yachts head north for a lunch stop and swim at the azure lagoon of Tigania Island (18 miles 3 hours). After lunch, we navigate the famous ‘14-foot Passage’ between Paros and Andi Paros Islands and head for Paroikia town on Paros (8 miles, 1.5 hours). Paroikia town offers archaeological sites within walking distance of the harbor but the ‘must-see’ item is the Church of 99 Doors. This well–known shrine has exceptional architecture, religious icons and an exquisite marble baptismal chamber. The crew dines in the enchanting atrium at Apollon Gardens

DAY 11

Paros and Anti Paros are both very interesting islands and we recommend that guests spend the morning seeing the sights by bus, rental car or ferry. Anti Paros’ highlight is the oldest cave in Europe –it is 44 million years old! On Paros, the most picturesque village is the fashionable harbor town of Naoussa (30 mins). There are also abandoned marble quarries and monarch butterfly valley (seasonal). For those who stay in town, Paros’ painted, pedestrian, streets offer great bargain shopping! The yachts sail north after lunch to visit the best known and most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands, Mykonos (20 miles, 3 hours). The yachts drop anchor meters off the gorgeous beach of Ornos Bay, or in Mykonos towns’ new harbor. Two nights allows time to relax and swim, explore the beach and visit busy Mykonos town. If at Ornos Bay, guests can dinghy ashore and enjoy dinner at Porto Ornos Taverna or dine on Italian at the beach restaurant. *Anchorage based on weather.

DAY 12

Based on the weather, the yachts may venture to nearby Delos Island (7 miles, 1 hour) or guests may access Delos by ferry from Mykonos town. Ancient Delos town is the largest and most important archaeological site in Greece and was the center of trade and religion in antiquity. It has remained in an excellent state of preservation. Discover temples, statues as well as a Greek theatre, stadium and Roman baths. Finish your exploration with a climb up sacred Mount Kythos for a divine panoramic view of the Cycladic Islands. Since Delos is still sacred, guests must all leave by 3pm. Returning to Mykonos visit more of the island or go Scuba diving. In the evening, visit the labyrinth at Mykonos town, which offers fantastic shopping, fine dining and world–class nightlife. A great restaurant in town is Nikos Taverna. Note: Guests can hire a pre –arranged archaeological guide to walk through the site and learn about the numerous points of interest –please ask staff several days in advance.

DAY 13

From Mykonos we have a long sail to little known Kea Island (60 miles, 8–10 hours), which is surprisingly one of the most interesting places on the tour. The yachts Med. Moor at the quaint harbor of Vourkari, where one can find the deserted ruins of a 2000 B.C. settlement around the bay. An afternoon swim is also on the agenda at a beautiful beach 5-minutes walk from the boats. Meat, seafood or pasta is enjoyed at Aristos Taverna, steps from the gangplank!

DAY 14

Guests access the serene, traditional town of Ioulis by bus early the next morning. An enchanting 45 minute hike through the town and valley beyond brings guests to a special feature: The Petrified Lion. Twenty-one feet long and carved out of slate, the sculpture is the largest example of ancient Greek carving and is dated at 600 B.C. On the return to the bus stop, a must-see for guests is the fascinating Archaeological Museum. Many guests consider this the best hike on the tour! Upon return to the yachts, we cross the Kea channel to Cape Sounion (12 miles, 2 hours) on the tip of Attica, where we anchor in the shadow of the famous Temple of Poseidon (444 B.C.). Crews enjoy their last lunch, a swim and view the temple from water level. The yachts then follow the coastline SW arriving at Alimos / Kalamaki Marina on Friday afternoon at 18:00 (29 miles, 4 hours). We celebrate the end of the trip back at Il Fungho Restaurant or Edem Taverna and sleep aboard at the marina to allow for disembarkation by 09:00 Saturday morning. * Taxis can be arranged for departing sailors at all hours. **Kalamaki Alimos Marina is a noisy harbour so guests may choose to reserve a hotel for the last night Friday. This can be done through our office in advance or on the spot by our staff.