2.5 months cruising Ionian, too long?

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mikecontessa26

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Just trying to figure out whre I should head for the summer, heading off from Brindisi around 14th July for Corfu, after that thought i'd cruise Ionian up and around, having couple of friends fly out at different times. I have until early October. When you look at the area it looks quite small to cruise for this amount of time.

Anyone have any thoughts?
 
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mikecontessa26 said:
Just trying to figure out whre I should head for the summer, heading off from Brindisi around 14th July for Corfu, after that thought i'd cruise Aegean up and around, having couple of friends fly out at different times. I have until early October. When you look at the area it looks quite small to cruise for this amount of time.

Anyone have any thoughts?
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Do not think it is too long, could easily spend that long just in the Ionian and not be bored, but understand if you have already spent time there you may want to try elsewhere
 
Yes! July/August is the Meltemi (strong northerlies) time in the Aegean. Since you're in Brindisi why don't you turn left and head north up the Adriatic visiting Montenegro and Croatia where there are hundreds of island anchorages. Plus several airports Split, Zadar, Pula where you can easily change crew. You could visit the Aegean in September/Oct when it's less boisterous!
 
Well the Ionian is quite small and crowded! But you could include the gulf of Patras/Corinth and visit Delphi (in the heat).
You could also circumnavigate the Peloponnese (anticlockwise), I've done it twice, visiting Olympia from Katakolon and Sparta/Mystras from Gytheio.
Plus Monemvasia, Nafplion, Epidavros. Then lift out at Preveza/Aktion for the winter, where I am now in Ionion Marine.
 
That sounds a good idea...

You could also circumnavigate the Peloponnese (anticlockwise), I've done it twice, visiting Olympia from Katakolon and Sparta/Mystras from Gytheio.
Plus Monemvasia, Nafplion, Epidavros. Then lift out at Preveza/Aktion for the winter, where I am now in Ionion Marine.[/QUOTE]
 
My advice is...... do not commit to a given port on a given date, you will end up screwing up your whole summer and the freedom to take opportunities as they occur. Just promise to be within <say> 200 miles of a given airport both to meet and to drop off guests.

If you don't you can easily fall into the trap of busting a gut to make rendezvous or equally bad kicking your heels because you arrived early and everything went right!!
 
mikecontessa26 said:
Sorry I meant to type Ionian not Aegean, I've done Croatia but never Ionian yet
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In that case I would say there is more than enough to keep you going. Also has the advantage you will never be too far from the airport you choose. Even though ports and anchorages are mostly within a few miles of each other you can sail as long or as short distances as you want just for the fun of it. You can easily spend 4-6 weeks cruising Corfu, Paxos and the adjacent mainland before moving South to the Inland Ionian, where another 4 - 6 weeks awaits you. In addition you can spend a few days exploring the inland sea past Preveza and or The Gulf of Patras/Corinth. If bored you can nip down the Peloponese but I think you will have plenty to do. Off hand I can think of 60 plus Ports anchorages which are worth a visit, but in reality there are many more
Good luck
 
Really depends on your style of cruising. There is less opportunity for actual sailing and passage making in the summer, but as jordanbasset says more than enough anchorages and small villages to explore. Although the popular places on the flotilla routes can be busy at times there are plenty of unspoilt places to explore, particularly the inland sea and the gulfs.
 
Tranona said:
Really depends on your style of cruising. There is less opportunity for actual sailing and passage making in the summer, but as jordanbasset says more than enough anchorages and small villages to explore. Although the popular places on the flotilla routes can be busy at times there are plenty of unspoilt places to explore, particularly the inland sea and the gulfs.
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The boat needs a bit of TLC she's not sailed ina while so im warming to the laid-back pottering and varnishing idea this year. Thanks for all your replies

Michael
 
I'm another one to advocate circling the Peloponnese. 6 weeks gives a circuit covering about 60% of the possible spots. 8 weeks is really thorough.

Things to see or do en route?

Zakinthos, turtle beach.
Katakolon, Olympia. And visit the Mercouri wine estate, about 2km north of the harbour
Kiparrissia, a Greek resort with good shelter to break the journey.
Navarino Bay. Pylos town square. Choice of castles. Yialova, a tiny resort which shows what can be done to create a really classy beach. The northern anchorage, superb bird watching, great walk to a hilltop castle.
Methoni. The castle.
Finikounda. Great beaches, laid back village, Greek resort
Koroni More castles . . .
And so on and so on. Kalamata marina for a crew change, 5hr buses to Athens airport. Elafonisos for magic sand anchorages . . . Monemvassia for Mediaeval village

Check the blue dots on my web site page maps - http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/greece/w-peloponese and onwards.
 
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jimbaerselman said:
I'm another one to advocate circling the Peloponnese. 6 weeks gives a circuit covering about 60% of the possible spots. 8 weeks is really thorough.

Things to see or do en route?

Zakinthos, turtle beach.
Katakolon, Olympia. And visit the Mercouri wine estate, about 2km north of the harbour
Kiparrissia, a Greek resort with good shelter to break the journey.
Navarino Bay. Pylos town square. Choice of castles. Yialova, a tiny resort which shows what can be done to create a really classy beach. The northern anchorage, superb bird watching, great walk to a hilltop castle.
Methoni. The castle.
Finikounda. Great beaches, laid back village, Greek resort
Koroni More castles . . .
And so on and so on. Kalamata marina for a crew change, 5hr buses to Athens airport. Elafonisos for magic sand anchorages . . . Monemvassia for Mediaeval village

Check the blue dots on my web site page maps - http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/greece/w-peloponese and onwards.
Click to expand...


Really useful thankyou, sounds like as i'm just under 10m i also avoid a lot of paperwork!
 
Well, we are sitting on the hard in Gouvia with the boat due to go in next Monday or Tuesday and we will then do just that, returning home to UK for five weeks only to return and go a little further afield for the rest of the season.

Try the Gulfs of Patras & Corinth as well as the "Inland Sea". Even go through the canal and into the Adriatic. Try down to Cape Malaea or around it to save the canal fees. LOTS to do and see.. We've been doing it for many years now and havn't yet got tired of the area.
 
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