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HIGHLIGHTS: Santorini - Ios - Amorgos - Small Cyclades - Naxos - Syros - Mykonos - Sifnos - Folegandros
Greece's Cycladic islands make the perfect playground for this exciting ten day sailing adventure. You'll encounter some of Greece's most famous and lesser known islands and as you sail from one beautiful place to the next you'll discover colourful island culture, beautiful natural wonders, ancient ruins and white washed architecture. Marvel at Santorini's caldera, walk through the maze of Naxo's old Town and indulge in Ios's vibrant night, just a few of the things you'll experience along the way.
Day 1: Santorini to Ios Our trip starts today in Santorini - probably the most spectacular of the Greek islands and part of a group known as the Cyclades. We recommend you arrive in Santorini a few days before your sailing adventure begins and spend some time exploring this magical place. The present-day island is actually part of the caldera of an ancient volcano that collapsed into the sea. The island was supposedly the site of the lost city of Atlantis. Fira (or Thira) is the name of the main town, as it is the Greek name for the island. Please make sure you are at our meeting point at 11 am at Santorini Marina, where a group meeting is held with your skipper and fellow sailors. Your skipper will brief you on the trip ahead and everything you need to know, as well as giving you an orientation of the layout of the boat. Then it's time to set sail as we make our way on our journey to Ios, stopping en route at the calm Manganari Beach for some swimming and snorkelling. Ios has the reputation of being a party island, but it also has a rich history. Uphill from the port is the old town of Hora, with its amazing maze of windy laneways full of shops, bars and restaurants. The popular beaches of Gialos and Milopotas are just shorts walks away and from the iconic Panagia Gremiotissa (or Church of the Virgin) at top of the hill, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sunset. (Approximate sailing time: 5 hours)
Day 2: Amorgos Today we sail to mountainous Amorgos, the easternmost island in the Cyclades. It is best known as the location for 1985 French movie by Luc Bresson called 'The Big Blue', which starred Jean-Marc Barr, Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno. Before we reach the port we stop for a swim at Paradisi Beach, which was used in the film. Amorgos dates back to 4000 BC and has been ruled down the centuries by the likes of the Venetians, Byzantines and Ottomans, whose influences can still be seen. We arrive at its main port, Katapola, which has windmills and is dominated by an old Venetian fortress. In our free time, we can explore all this or pay a visit to the ancient Minoan ruins and the spectacular 11th century Monastery of Moni Hozoviotissis, which is built on a cliff face overlooking the Aegean Sea. We can enjoy the evening frequenting some of the many restaurants, cafEs and bars located on the waterfront. (Approximate sailing time: 4 hours)
Day 3: Small Cyclades We leave Amorgos in the morning and make a short half-day sail to the Small Cyclades, a collection of islands that were virtually uninhabited in the Middle Ages except for goats. This was because pirates drove many of the previous inhabitants out. Even today, only Koufonisia, Iraklia, Shinousa and Donousa have permanent populations and the largest population said to be somewhere around 300. These islands are somewhat quaint and charming and you really feel as if you've left most of the tourists behind and discovered places only locals know. In the evening there is another opportunity, as we have each evening, to enjoy some delicious seafood in a local taverna. (Approximate sailing time: 4 hours)
Day 4-5: Naxos Our next stop is the largest island in the Cyclades and a legendary home of the king of the gods, Zeus. It is a lush and mountainous island with an interesting old town called Hora, where the nightlife takes place. Check out the old Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum. The highlight of exploring the island is to see Venetian architecture at its best. The Kastro is a 13th century Venetian fortress that dominates the Old town. Part of the fun is getting there, by navigating your way up the narrow pathways that all date back to the bygone era. There are some nice beaches in the south - great places to relax in the day time or partake in water sport activities. One of the best experiences on Naxos is to head up into the hills and travel to some of the small villages in the interior. Here you see the local people going about their everyday life in a way that does not have seemed to change much down the years, amidst the charming villages and endless olive groves. Perhaps join them for a meal in a local tavern. There is a certain sense of timelessness about rural Greece, which is sure to stay in your memory for a long time.
Day 6: Syros We bid farewell to Naxos and set sail for the island of Styros. Along the way we stop for a swim at the Bay of Gaidharos. Syros is quite a major island with a long history dating back to the Bronze Age. Its main town, Ermoupoli, is also the capital of the Cyclades and is a thriving commercial and cultural centre with a great selection of restaurants to dine, but the most popular spots are possibly still the waterfront tavernas or the cafes near the palm-fringed town square where the magnificent neo-classical town hall is situated. In your free time here you can also catch a bus up the hill to Ano Syros, a fortress-village that offers stunning views across the Aegean Sea. (Approximate sailing time: 4 hours)
Day 7: Mykonos Our next stop is arguably one of the most famous of the Greek islands, Mykonos. Shrouded in Greek mythology, it was supposedly the site of a battle between Zeus and the Titans. The island was named after Apollo's grandson. Where it was once a very poor island that relied on fishing and boat building, it has since become very successful due to tourism. The town is full of white-washed buildings and narrow alleyways that wind their way around the old town. There are many cafes, restaurants, galleries and boutiques to frequent, whilst the sun lovers will no doubt head down to the island's beautiful sandy beaches. (Approximate sailing time: 3 hours)
Day 8: Sifnos Our next port of call is the island of Sifnos, which is famous for its high quality ceramics. Locally, the name 'sifnIos' means a potter. The island's bald hills overlook fertile valleys of wild juniper, terraced olive groves and almond trees. The main beach is near the port of Kamares, whilst the main village is the capital, Apollonia, located 5 kilometres away and full of white-washed buildings and churches. The Museum of Popular Art is a great place to check out a collection of old photographs as well as textiles, costumes and pots. Not far from Apollonia is the Kastro, a Venetian fortress that stands on top of standing on a headland, offering magnificent panoramic views.
Day 9: Folegandros Our last port of call before completing our journey is the island of Folegandros in the southern part of the Cyclades. It is quite a small island that has three small villages and a total population of 667 people. Conquered by the Venetians, it was taken over by the Ottoman Turks in 1566. It was reclaimed in the 19th century by the newly-independent Kingdom of Greece. There is a small and pebbly beach near the port area of Karavostasis, which also has waterfront tavernas. The island's most distinctive features are its dramatic cliffs and the capital, Hora, (also known as 'Chora') is situated on top of a 200-metre-high cliff. Scarlet bougainvilleas can be seen on the white-washed houses that line the meandering stone paths on this island.
Day 10: Santorini We enjoy a leisurely morning of sailing back to Santorini. Our tour ends on arrival in Santorini around 11 am.
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