Greece has always been a magical and mythical city. Full of folklores and history, it has drawn fascination around the world. It is one of earliest civilization man has known, and together with its alluring past, the new Greece has become a favourite tourist destination. The Mediterranean sunshine in this region, thousands of islands and the long and varied beaches have made Greece a popular sailing route.
Located in the North Eastern region of the Mediterranean is the fabulous Greek archipelago. The word archipelago means a cluster of large islands, traditionally used only for the Grecian islands but now is used around the world. There are about 3000 islands in this group but only 140 are populated. Each island is unique in its own way with its individual style, history, charm and topography.
The Grecian coastline has a lot of variety to offer, from pebbled coves to golden sands, rocky outcrops, steep cliffs and hidden coves. With its lagoons, lakes, rivers, fabulous cuisines, local wines and lush forests, the islands offer a lot of onshore activity as well. You can stop by on a secluded island if you are looking for privacy or dance the night away in one of the more happening islands. Greek is great for shopping addicts as well; you’ll find plenty of local crafts, souvenir places and trendy boutiques.
Just like all the other yacht charters, there are a variety of boats that one can choose from, for the Greek islands sailing experience:
· Bareboat charters - offer an ultimate freedom and for these waters you can also choose a motor boat.
· Cabin Charters – are bigger vessels that can carry up to 50 passengers and yet offer enough privacy because there are separate cabin rentals for each person or couple.
· Crewed Yacht Charters - are the ultimate in luxury for those who can afford the cost. Luxurious and pretty expensive.
· Regattas – Without being the sailing masters, you can buy your participation and experience the thrill of the being part of the races.
· Cruise travel- a comfortable way to travel and meet new people in a cruise liner where everything is taken care of, its just like a floating hotel.
· Flotillas- Especially recommended for the Grecian waters as they can be a bit tough to manoeuvre. Here you have your own boat but a group of boats sail together on the same route and keep track of each other. Highly recommended for people who want their privacy but do not have a very long sailing experience.
The Greek islands can be accessed throughout the year, and though the summer sailing season is popular with most people, winter sailing season has its own advantages. The weather can be a bit unpredictable but there fewer tourists, you can get good deals on the charters and the weather is pleasant and cool for onshore explorations. Most of the year the sea is quite calm and a pleasure to sail on.
There are 6 main cruising areas in Greece. Each area is unique in its own way and whichever route you choose, you’ll still end up having a great time without wondering about the other areas. Depending on your sailing experience and time on your hands, you can choose a cluster of islands that will suit your sailing requirements. The different island groups are the Saronic Islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Ionian Islands and the Sporades Islands.
Out of all these islands the Saronic Islands are highly recommended for people who haven’t sailed in Greece before. You can start from Athens and move on to the various islands in this group. The main advantage is that these islands are very close to the coast, are sheltered and the best place to sail when the weather gets a bit rough. However if you want to explore a bit more, you can head to the Cyclades where you have a plethora of islands and you can sail for months here without ever getting bored.
Finally wherever you decide to sail in the stunning Greek islands, the warm and friendly people with their multitude of festivals, rich cuisines and cultural background will fascinate and thrill you. The mythical Greek islands will cast their charm on you so strong, that you’ll want to come back again to experience this beautiful country.
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