Your adventure begins in Athens where we recommend you spend a few days seeing the historic sites of this dynamic city. We offer 3 to 5 star hotels near the famed Acropolis. Arrangements can also be made for 1 to 8 day land tours to sites in the interior of Greece (Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Sparta, Meteora and more). While in Athens, visit the Plaka, a charming and safe tourist district in the heart of the city full of traditional tavernas (Greek restaurants), unique souvenir & clothing shops and friendly Athenians. Two good tavernas in the Plaka are the Garden of Eden (Vegetarian) and the central Byzantino Taverna. It is generally worth staying a few days in the city to shake off jet lag and to see the major sites: the Acropolis, Parthenon & Odeon, the Agora (ancient marketplace) and the National Archaeological Museum among other attractions. We can arrange transfers, however taxies are the most convenient way to get from the airport to hotels or directly to the yachts.

Day 1

We recommend having a 'sleep over' in Athens the first night.

Day 2

The next morning, take an early sail to Aegina Marina Bay on Aegina island (17 miles, 3 hours). Aegina was the home of the first Greek government after the war of independence. The island was the first place to mint coins in Greece and boasts the best pistachio nuts in the world! Arriving at Aegina Marina Bay, you can take a 30 - 45 minute uphill hike (bus or taxi also possible) to see the famous Temple of Aphaia. Dedicated to the daughter of Leto (-the goddess Aphaia), the temple was built in the Doric order and dates from the early 5th century B.C. It is the best-preserved temple in the Greek islands with several monolithic columns (one piece columns) and it is the only Doric temple with double standing columns (on top of each other). After the excursion up to the temple, you can then enjoy a wonderful swim in the crystal clear waters of the bay before sailing on to Poros island (18 miles, 3 hours). Poros is one of the most beautiful views from seaward of any Greek island - get the camera ready! At Poros you can practice Med. mooring the yacht/s to the sea wall if there is not too much boat traffic. Enjoy a late afternoon relax and/or explore the harbor by foot. At around 20:00, sailors assemble for a walk up to the clock tower and view the sunset while identifying Fig trees, Cactus, Bougainvillea, Jasmine bushes and Cyprus on the way. You can then enjoy a splendid meal under a roof of grape vines at the Garden Taverna. Sailors are always given a warm welcome at this friendly, family run taverna.

Day 3

Get underway early and motor through the narrow channel between Poros and the majestic Peleponnese coast - another great photo opportunity! Motor past fortified Bourtzi Island (20 minutes away), which protected this narrow channel when the Venetians were in power. After raising sail, you can race other yachts to the tranquil splendor of Spathi Island and bay (11 miles 1.5 hours) for lunch and excellent snorkeling over a clear sandy bottom! After lunch, set sail for the famous island of Hydra (11 miles 1.5 hours) arriving before 15:00 in order to get a good spot along the small and crowded wharfs. Hydra's harbor has become very busy and in the summer months, yachts can raft four deep bow to stern - expect to be boarded! Before exploring this enchanting town, a cool swim can be enjoyed at Hydra's swimming oasis, which features a buoyed/protected swimming area and flat sun bathing levels cut out of the cliff - there is also a cocktail bar! One of the most famous towns in Greece, Hydra offers visitors art expositions, fine dining, fabulous local handicrafts, exquisite clothing and jewelry shops all set in the winding cobble stone streets surrounded by 18th Century architecture. Stop by Mai Tai for a chat over some Greek coffee with owners Ruth and Kosta. They offer the most exquisite Byzantine and ancient Greek jewelry designs and give excellent discounts to sailors, as well as gifts to all newlyweds! Excellent value is found at many shops in Hydra for silver, gold and precious stones. Haggling is the word of the day. Fashionable Hydra has been a refuge for artists since the sixties and has many well-known visitors including royalty, film celebrities and music stars such as part-time resident Leonard Cohen. The real beauty of Hydra is the historic architecture and the fact that there are no motorized vehicles on the island - only donkey power! Take the donkey tour of the town! Scuba diving can be enjoyed with Hydra Divers, who offer personable, qualified instruction and guidance for all levels of diving. Arrangements can be made for a morning dive on the second day at Hydra. In the last century, Hydra figured prominently as its population was fifteen thousand compared with Athens at only six thousand. During the Greek War of Independence with the Turks, Hydra provided a powerful fleet of naval vessels. The leader of the Greek navy, Admiral Miaoulis, was a Hydriot. The most famous boats were the 'fire ships' which were small fishing boats loaded with gun powder that sailed out, in the cover of night, and tied up alongside much larger Turkish gun ships. The fire ships were ignited and the end result was devastating for the Turkish navy. Greece won its independence from Turkey in 1821. Every June, Hydra has the Miaoulis (Fire Ships) Festival where the locals ignite fireworks and burn a ship in the harbor. Spend the better part of two days at Hydra allowing ample time to explore. Begin a dinner excursion by watching the sunset from the outer wharf or up at the fortified sunset lookout followed by a walk through Hydra's labyrinth of streets all the way to Kristina & Manolis Taverna's roof garden. This is one of the best tavernas on our carefully researched gastronomic itinerary! 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 cheese and of course Greek salad! After dinner, Hydra offers starry nightlife at Hydranetta, a beautiful cocktail bar built into the cliffs, Disco Heaven for those who want to dance and Pirates Bar the best watering hole around the harbor!

Day 4

Obtain provisioning for the yacht for the next two days. The plan is to moor under the stars for two nights - if the weather allows. Leave Hydra town between 14:00--15:00. We suggest a leisurely 30 minute hike south along the coastal stone pathway leading sailors to picturesque Kamini harbor. The view looking out over the tiny fishing cove, the Saronic Gulf and Peloponnese mountains is breathtaking. A great lunch spot in Kamini harbors is Kodylenia's taverna or in Hydra town eat lunch at the Vigla Restaurant, which is situated in the southeast corner of busy Hydra harbor. After a nice lunch and last minute shopping, sail the yacht (12 miles, 2 hours) to the beautiful, secluded shingle beach of Aghios Nicholaus Bay. This is a very special spot as the half-mile pebble beach is gorgeous and the crystal clear waters offer interesting snorkeling. In the evening you could perhaps assemble a stone barbecue pit and then marinated chicken, baked potatoes and coleslaw - follow this with some star gazing! If the wind is from the Southeast then another alluring private bay option is the uninhabited island of Dokos for the barbecue. Little known and deserted Dokos harbors Early Hellenic II ruins and the resting place of the oldest known shipwreck (1500 B.C.), explored by Jacques Cousteau. Pottery shards are abundant which make for great snorkeling!

Day 5

Depart Hydra at 06:00 for the long haul out into the Cycladic (circular) islands (80 miles, 9-12 hours - off the beaten course!) and arrive before sunset at the volcanic island of Milos. The destination is Kleftiko - a set of bays surrounded by 150-300 foot cliffs riddled with swim-through sea caves. Upon arrival, moor the yacht securely for the night, and then snorkel or dinghy through the sea caves. Prepare a meal aboard the boat. The most dramatic night of the itinerary follows - eating topside under the bright Aegean night sky. The fantastic cliff setting makes this stop one of the highlights of the itinerary.

Day 6

Spend most of the day at Kleftiko, swimming/snorkeling or motoring in the dinghy around the cliffs, through grottos and up to the beaches. Of interest are the ancient man made bollards carved into the rock that are scattered throughout these secret caves. Kleftiko's caves were used for shelter and the cliffs as a lookout by pirates and perhaps even the Knights of Saint Johns during the Crusades. At 14:00 or 15:00 make your way around the island into the volcanic crater to Adamas port (18 miles, 3 hours). Cruising around the island, it is fascinating to observe the volcanic composition of this, the most geologically interesting island on the tour. Moor the yacht to the sea wall and take time to explore the harbor and have a shower. At 18:00-19:00 jump on the bus up to the town of Tripiti to visit the ancient Greek amphitheater that the famous and enigmatic Venus of Milos used to adorn. Enjoy a magical evening meal at Erginas Ouzeri - a restaurant overlooking the huge volcanic crater. Ergina's Ouzeri is one of the best restaurants on the itinerary featuring over sixty local Milos delicacies. Ergina and her husband Lukianos boast that all delicacies served are homemade and enticingly fresh - they make their own pasta, mayonnaise and even sun dry the tomatoes on the roof! Use taxis to return to the port. In May, when Ergina's is not open, eat at nearby Glaros Taverna which also serves delicious unique Milos specialties.

Day 7

Rise early to provision and explore the port of Adamas, including the Geological Museum. Then sail over the north coast of Milos and make way for the island of Ios (50 miles 8-10 hours). Ios is the resting place of Homer and the halfway stop of the itinerary. Moor the yacht in the main harbor for two or three nights (depending on the ferry schedule to Santorini). Upon arrival, you can swim at a wonderful fresh water pool at Ios Camping near the harbor - a great way to freshen up, as the sail can be salty! If you prefer the sea, Ios offers the nicest beaches in the central Aegean - Milopotas and Manganari (Ios' crystal clear water provided the shooting location for the award winning underwater film The Big Blue). If there is a Friday afternoon/evening ferry to Santorini, you can travel to Santorini and spend two nights in a pre-arranged villa/apartment. Usually the ferry schedule calls for a Saturday ferry to Santorini on the next day, so remain in Ios for the night. For dinner, take a bus up to the Chora (hilltop town) and enjoy an exquisite meal at Lord Byron's Taverna (Greek with a Californian Twist). Many sailors agree that Lord Byron's Taverna is the best restaurant on the 2-week itinerary - the self-taught chef, Vasilli, is a creative genius. Ios is best known however, for the notorious nightlife at a multitude of discos and clubs (300+) up on the chora.

Day 8/9

Take a hydrofoil or ferry to the volcanic island of Santorini, rumored to be the lost civilization of Atlantis! Santorini is the most beautiful of all the Greek islands and offers the fantastic entombed Minoan town of Akrotiri, incredible volcanic beaches (Perissa & Kamari), excellent wine tasting at famous vineyards (Boutari & Roussos), great sightseeing and unique shopping at Thira. The real highlight however, is watching the sunset at charming Ioa town. All of the attractions can be seen by rental car, moped, coach tour, taxi or bus. It is recommended to rent new model, small, air-conditioned cars and to stay a night or two in one of our pre-arranged luxurious yet inexpensive villas or hotels. There are always 3-5 star accommodations available to Poseidon Charters as we work with six different operators in Ioa and others throughout Santorini. We recommend staying in the exquisite town of Ioa, which is clung to the edge of the volcanic crater. Ioa is quieter and more traditional than Thira. We also recommend a rental car to explore the island as sites are quite far apart, bus schedules are unreliable and taxis are expensive. New, air-conditioned rental cars can be arranged, ready and waiting for you when you disembark at the port. The advantage of staying over on Santorini is two fold. First, it allows two days to explore the most beautiful island in Greece and second, you disembark from the boat/s for a night or two and enjoy a real bed, shower and the creature comforts of home halfway through the two week journey! The yacht remain at Ios, as there are few safe anchorage places in Santorini.

Day 10

Returns to Ios from Santorini on an early morning ferry, and then tack north for a lunch stop and swim at the beautiful natural lagoon and sand bar at Tigania island (20 miles 5 hours). Tagania is nestled in between Paros and Andi Paros islands. After lunch we navigate the famous '14 foot Passage' and head for Paroikia town on the island of Paros (8 miles 1.5 hours). On Paros there are archaeological sites within walking distance of the harbor (a Frankish castle built out of pieces of Greek temples and an ancient graveyard). A must see is the church of 99 doors, a well-known shrine with exceptional architecture, religious icons and marble baptismal chamber. Great bargain shopping is also a highlight at Paros in the painted, pedestrian, 'Plaka' streets. Paros is famous for its 'Ignitis' marble which is the purest and whitest marble in the world. It can be purchased in town. Paros is a large and very interesting island and we recommend that guests take a bus or rental cars/bikes and visit the fashionable harbor town of Naoussa (30 mins), and/or the historic inner town of Lefka (20 mins), which is entirely untouched by tourism and remains a peaceful, traditional 'Chora'. On the way to Lefkas a stop can be made at the abandoned marble quarries and monarch butterfly valley (seasonal). Cars, scooters or bikes can be rented at the harbor and brought back the next day before you depart. Yuo could eat at Harry's Grill as the restaurant offers exceptional grilled meats and fish as well as wonderful traditional Greek dishes served with local wine and frozen steins of draft beer. Not to mention a spectacular view of the sunset! Another excellent choice is to dine in the elegant atrium at Apollon Gardens with host Theo.

Day 11/12

Sailing north, visit the best known and most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands, Mykonos (20 miles 5 hours). Drop anchor meters off the gorgeous beach of Ornos Bay. With favorable weather leave the yacht at Ornos for two nights, as it is the safest anchorage from the North wind. Two nights allows time to relax and swim from the boat, explore the beach and visit the highlights of busy Mykonos town. Neighboring Delos Island is the largest and most important archaeological site in all of Greece. It is accessed by a fishing boat ride from Ornos Bay or by ferry from Mykonos town. At the center of the Cycladic (circular) islands, Delos was the most important center of trade and worship in antiquity. Delos was the mythological birthplace of Artemis (Goddess of chastity and the hunt) and Apollo (God of physical beauty and fine arts). The island was also the commercial center of the Aegean and it has remained in an excellent state of preservation. Walk the Street of the Lions to the Agora (ancient marketplace) or wander room to room in palaces dedicated to Gods and Goddesses (Poseidon's and Cleopatra's house). Discover temples and statues which date back to 500 B.C. as well as Greek theaters and Roman baths. Finish your exploration with a climb up sacred Mount Kythos for a divine panoramic view of the Cycladic islands. Returning to Mykonos in the afternoon, visit the renowned beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise (gay/nude respectively). Kosta at Paradise Divers offers the best scuba diving in Greek waters on reefs around Prasonisi Island south east of the ancient port of Delos. This area is the resting place of many ancient shipwrecks and the seabed is covered with amphora and pottery! Porto Ornos Taverna offers a great menu and friendly service and is two minutes away by dinghy from the yachts. 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.

Day 13

From Mykonos, sail west to Kea (60 miles 8-10 hours) keeping a watch for dolphins, turtles, tuna and mackerel on the way! Little known, Kea island is surprisingly one of the most interesting places visited on the tour. The yachts Med. Moor at the quaint harbor of Vourkari. One can find the deserted ruins of a Mycenaean temple site 2500 B.C. on a short hike around the bay. Over the rolling hills at Kefala, archaeologists discovered a Neolithic site from 3000 B.C. Watch the sun set over the Aegean from the enchanting 'Chora' or hilltop town Ioulis, built on a summit where the inhabitants were safe from pirate raids. Ioulis is accessed by taxi or bus. On Kea, the Chora is little changed over the centuries. There are no tourist signs and the locals speak minimal English. An enchanting walk (1.5 hours) through Ioulis and the valley beyond brings you to a special feature - the Petrified Lion. Carved out of slate and 21 feet long the sculpture is the largest example of ancient Greek carving and is dated at 600 B.C. There are other items of historical interest within the Chora including a small museum, Venetian, Byzantine, Turkish, Hellenic architecture and a beautiful cemetery. A wonderful seafood meal is enjoyed after our hike at Nikos Taverna, steps from the gangplank. The specialty is 'soupa' - fresh fish served with vegetables in a soup! Kea is considered one of the gems of the tour, as it is quintessentially peaceful and very beautiful.

Day 14

On the last day, cross the Kea channel to Cape Sounion (18 miles 3 hours) on the tip of Attica and anchor in the shadow of the famous Temple of Poseidon (444 B.C.). Have lunch, a swim and observe the temple. Back on board, follow the coastline Southwest arriving back at Athens on Friday afternoon (29 miles 4 hours).