Visitor Put up: Thanks to Nicholas Kontis, Story Author and Photographer
In the course of the summer season holidays of my youth, my household and I visited family members in Greece. I slept in spare bedrooms, on creaky couches, and even in a sleeping bag in backyards. Nevertheless, my most cherished reminiscence was crusing with an uncle who co-owned a 50-foot yacht. He took me on a voyage from my father’s residence in Patras to the Ionian islands. I found pristine seashores that many vacationers by no means see, enriching my Greek journey with various encounters.
Later, silver-screen epics like Massive Blue, an anthem to waters of the Aegean Sea; Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, a love story set on the island of Kefalonia; and the romantic comedy Mamma Mia!. with its star-studded forged, paved the way in which for a increase in tourism to Greece.
But it surely’s not as if Greece was ever absent from vacationers’ radar. And the attraction is barely rising. Lured by marvelous antiquities, over 200 inhabited islands with world-class seashores, and a tasty Mediterranean eating regimen, over 30 million folks set foot on Greek soil in 2023.
Greece’s main small ship operator, Selection Cruises, anchors in secluded ports inaccessible to bigger vessels. These embody the islands of the northern Dodecanese and the less-visited isles of the Cyclades.
I discover the enchantment of small-ship cruising irresistible. An ideal instance is Selection’s “Unexplored Greece” itinerary: Eight flawless days and eight islands with solely 38 different friends on the luxurious motor-sailing yacht Panorama. We loved spacious cabins, elegant Mediterranean eating and a panoramic deck. We made impromptu stops for refreshing swims in hidden coves, shared meals with locals at seaside tavernas, and explored unspoiled islands with out struggling the vacationer crowds of Mykonos and Santorini vacationers vying for sundown and windmill pictures.
Athens and Ikaria
My spouse and I spent our first evening in Athens at The Athenaeum Resort, a newly opened property adjoining to the labyrinthine metropolis middle of Plaka. The subsequent day we boarded the Panorama on the port of Marina Zeas. The boarding course of was clean. As I stepped onto the deck, the nice and cozy sea breeze greeted me with the anticipation of adventures forward.
Flexibility is essential to any expedition crusing. Itineraries are usually not set in stone. Seasoned cruisers be taught to count on the surprising and flow. Our first cease was at Ikaria Island, the place one in three residents dwell to be at the least 90 years previous. However after a swim within the emerald waters of Seychelles Seaside, a tanker maneuvered into our anchorage. So Captain Andreas Sifnotis introduced that we might head straight to our subsequent cease on Patmos.
Patmos
Skipping the afternoon and night in Ikaria meant extra time on the picturesque harbor of Skala on Patmos, northernmost of the Dodecanese group of 12 enchanted isles. On a half-day tour, we climbed to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and visited the cave the place the evangelist had the apocalyptic visions that led to the writing of the E-book of Revelation.
The aspect of shock and journey — the fun of not realizing what every day will carry — is likely one of the issues that makes small-ship cruises distinctive and exhilarating. Every day, passengers can select between an organized tour, exploring the island on their very own, or merely basking within the solar.
See Selection Cruises ships and sailings right here Selection Cruises
Lipsi
Serendipity greeted us on Lipsi, whose inhabitants is barely 700. Pilgrims from different islands joined locals to have a good time the feast of St. John of Klydonas, and we discovered ourselves experiencing true custom. The folks of Lipsi sang and danced as kids jumped over the flames of burning floral wreaths to exorcise evil spirits. Dinner was on our personal, which inspired us to take pleasure in contemporary fish at port-side eating places. Some vacationers detoured to a vineyard well-known for its Aposperitis dessert wine served to Prince Charles and Camilla in Athens.
Kalymnos
On Kalymnos, we arrived within the late afternoon on the energetic port of Pothia, well-known for its sponge divers. On a guided tour, we visited a Neoclassical home — constructed by proud native historian Mihalis Kyrannis — to see a curated assortment of the island’s wealthy cultural tapestry and to be taught concerning the courageous males who dedicate their lives to sponge diving. I rent a cab to take me to the highest of the island, to the stone monastery of the island’s patron saint, Agios Savvas. For dinner, my spouse and I joined different friends from Argentina and Australia for a seafood feast at Mamouzelos Restaurant on the waterfront.
Amorgos
Our subsequent island cease was one which I already knew. Amorgos is the undiscovered jewel of the Cyclades. Heavy winds prevented us from touchdown on the island’s essential port of Katapola, so we docked at Aegialis as a substitute. Whereas lots of my shipmates took a strolling tour, I met with island matriarch Irene Giannakopoulos for a cooking demonstration at her lofty Aegialis Resort & Spa. Later, I opted for a drive across the island to go to one in all Greece’s most imposing landmarks, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa. Constructed right into a rock face on the facet of a cliff 300 ft above the ocean, it provides far-reaching views of the evergreen and turquoise Aegean.
Serifos
Earlier than returning to Athens, we stopped at Serifos, one other island I had beforehand visited. On the port of Livadi, I rented a automobile for 30 euros and drove across the island, making swim stops at seashores frequented by solely a handful of individuals. The energetic port city leads upwards to the central village of Chora.
M/S Panorama
The Panorama goes the place bigger ships can’t. Its two dozen cozy cabins can accommodate 49 passengers. Facilities embody personal loos, a TV, a small protected and a mini-fridge. A small lounge on the ship’s entrance boasts panoramic home windows and a library of books about Greece. Visitors share breakfast and both lunch or dinner in a big eating room; the menu options each Greek treats and worldwide delicacies. An indoor bar and lounge space are on the higher deck. Out of doors areas embody two sundecks. We often sailed at evening, waking up most days at new ports of name.
In case your concept of paradise includes small-ship sailings in a land of legendary magnificence with fewer than 50 friends, this Greek trip could also be your good vacation. You’ll see picturesque villages on less-explored islands, cease at clandestine coves and seashores, and dine on the freshest catch of the day at quiet ports of name. Selection Cruises’ “Unexplored Greece” is greater than a passage to genuine Greece. It’s a portal to immerse your self within the true spirit of this historical land.
pictures credit score Nick Kontis
See Selection Cruises ships and sailings right here
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M/S Galileo
M/Y Callisto
M/Y Concord G
M/Y Concord V
M/Y Pegasos
S/C Panorama
S/C Panorama II
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