Voyage across Greek islands

Athens – Epidavros – Aegina – Poros – Ermioni – Spetses – Nafplio – Tiros -  Palia Monemvasia – Monemvasia -  Kyparissia  – Idra – Agina – Limenaria – Athens

Total length: 295 n.m.

 

The travel starts in Athens and passes across the most colorful and well-known places of the region – Poros and Nafplio, Aegina islands, Idra and Spetses, small doll-like Epidavros and Palia-Monemvasia. For fans of excursions and the noisy cities day parking in Athens and Nafplio are provided, there are also anchor moorings for romantics.

 

Route description

 

Athens – a city that is more than 3,500 years old, symbol of antiquity, a hero of legends and myths of Ancient Greece. It was named after Athena, goddess of wisdom, and became the motherhood of philosophy. The most famous buildings preserved here – Acropolis with Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, Athenian Agora, Areopagus, Tower of the Winds,

Hadrian Library, Dionysus Theater…Each of us read about it, studied on subjects of history and art, and now we can see it with our own eyes within two days in Athens.

 

1^st day. Saturday.

Arrival at Athens. Transfer to marina Kalamaki.

Yacht check in. Purchase of food. Settlement on yachts.

 

2^nd day. Sunday.

Sailing off in 12.00. Passage to Epidavros (31 miles).

Sightseeing of the town and amphitheatre.

Berth in marina.

 

Epidavros is an ancient city, famous with worship of physician-god Asclepius, where his temple preserved. However ancient Greeks believed that not only medicines may cure, but art also; they built amphitheater for 14 thousands of spectators with a wonderful acoustics. The amphitheatre is also preserved till nowadays. The same cannot be said about the town – there is a small fishermen’s village on its place now.

 

3^rd day. Monday.

Morning in Epidavros.

Sailing off in 12.00. Passage to Aegina island, Perdika (17 miles).

Dinner in a local tavern.
Berth in marina.

 

4^th day. Tuesday.

Sailing off in 10.00. Passage to Poros island (15 miles).

Sightseeing in the ancient city. Dinner in the tavern on the seaside.

Berth in marina.

 

Poros is an island that is said to belong to Poseidon, god of the sea. This is proved by ruins of Temple of Poseidon that preserved here. The town is very picturesque; it is located on two shores of the strait, seaside taxies go between them. There is a church on the top of the mountain; this is the place with amazing view of the strait and the town.

 

5^th day. Wednesday.

Sailing off in 13.00. Passage to Ermioni (23 miles).

Swimming time. Dinner on yacht.

Anchorage.

There are several wonderful places for anchorage in Ermioni.

 

6^th day. Thursday.

Sailing off in 10.00. Passage to Spetses (13 miles).

 

Walk in the town.

Berth in marina of Spetses.

 

Spetses was called a “pine island” in times of antiquity, major part of the island is covered with pines even nowadays. A small island is popular because of writer John Fowles who was a teacher in a local school, here happened the story described in novel “The French Lieutenant's Woman” and “The Magus”.

 

There are a lot of taverns and shops on the island, but it’s possible to find a quit place to enjoy the beauty of this place. 

 

7^th day. Friday.

Walk in the morning island.

Sailing off in 12.00. Passage to Nafplio (27 miles).

 

Evening mooring in marine.

Walk in the city.

Berth in Nafplio's marine.

 

Nafplio – is one of the most picturesque cities of Greece and the largest port of Peloponnese.

The city with rich history according to the legend has been founded by Poseidon's son Nauplius. Archeological excavations prove existence of the city during an era of Mycenae, at the time of crusades the city was occupied by the French knights who have sold it to Venice. Later the city has got under Turkish sway, but since 1821 actively participates in liberating fight and even becomes the first capital of Greece in 1828-1833.

The city is famous for seaport Bourtzi and Palamidi's fortress. And of course Old city of Nafplio.

 

8^th day. Saturday.

Leisure day in Nafplio.

Pedestrian excursion to the Fort in the first half of day.

After a lunch - walk on a path along the sea.

 

Beth in a marine.

 

9^th day. Sunday.

Sailing off in 12:00. Passage to Tiros (22 miles).

About 17.00 we drop an anchor in a picturesque bay near Tiros.

Swimming, rest, dinner onboard.

Anchorage.

 

10^th day. Monday.

Sailing off in 8:00. Passage to Palia-Monemvasia (40 miles).

Palia-Monemvasia's survey - the ancient original city of handicraftsmen, as if hanging over the sea.

Berth in marine.

 

Palia-Monemvasia – the ancient original city of handicraftsmen. It is located on the mountain and it seems hanging over the sea. Surprisingly beautiful, doll-like city with a set of souvenir shops, very narrow small streets and restaurants on roofs overlooking the sea.

There is an island Monemvasia in two and a half miles – the Byzantine fortified city on the island connected to Peloponnese with a narrow isthmus. The rock where the city is built appeared in 375 as a result of a strong earthquake. There is a well-known church of Saint Sofia on the island.

 

11^th day. Tuesday.

In the morning - walk across Monemvasia.

Sailing off in 12:00. Passage to Kiparisia (22 miles)

Docking in Kiparisia approximately at 17:00.

 

12^th day. Wednesday.

Sailing off in 8.00. Passage to Idra island (33 miles).

Walk on the island, Pirates’ museum.

Berth in marina.

 

Idra – is an ancient pirate island, there is even a Pirates’ museum here, opened for visits. A legend says that in spite of absence of pure water here, pirates took fancy to this island and based here. Though name of the island comes from Greek “hydra”, there is no water here – only imported. Moreover, there are only 4 cars for trash pickup. You can move here by bicycles, mules, donkeys and by feet.

 

13^th day. Thursday.

Passage to Aegina island (32 miles).

On the way – stop at Limenaria island for swimmimg.

Sightseeing in the town. Dinner in a local tavern.
Berth in marina.

 

Aegina is the biggest island in The Saronic Gulf. According to the legend, Zeus made people from ants, and so they inhabited the island. Their first ruler was Ajax, the son of Thunderer. 

 

The city was growing very quickly and soon started to compete with Athens, what lead to repeated wars. Aeginetans were known as experienced sailors, trade and industry flourished on the island: production of fragrances, ceramics and copper, from which statues were made. Aegina’s merchants unified weighting system and gifted Greece monetary system.

 

Famous historic places of the city are Temple of St. St Nectaire and Temple of goddess Aphaia.

 

14^th day. Friday.

Morning on the island.

Sailing off in 12.00. Passage to Athens (20 miles).