Aegean route for a couple old guys to enjoy

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Palarran

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I'm bringing my father and father in law for a sailing trip this summer. They are 81 years old each. My father has had a knee and ankle replacement and father in law a partial knee replacement. But they can get around on land, just a little slowly sometimes. There will be 3 adult guys on board to help with getting them on and off the boat and dingy.

I am wondering where the best place is to take them. We will be coming from Messolonghi through the Corinth Canal. They are arriving in Athens and we have 8 full days after arrival to cruise. My original plan had been to sail Palarran up to Porto Rafti, pick them up there, then go up between Evia and the mainland. We would then head to Skiathos and Skopelos before heading to Kymi Port. From Kymi I would rent a car to drive them to the airport. Another option is to pick them up in Chalkis. When I put all the segments of this trip together if feels quite rushed for 8 days.

Another option would be to head to Poros, Ydra, Spetses, and Nafplion.

Which ever way we go, it is likely that we, as in all of us, will not be able to cruise the other spot. In other words, if I don't get to the Sporades this summer, it likely won't ever happen. But the fathers come first and they would be best off with stern ties to village quays verses anchoring and maybe interesting ruins verses verdant beauty and beaches.

I'm hoping some of you that have extensive knowledge of both these areas can give me a general recommendation, ie Sporades or Saronic, and maybe even a more specific route. Thanks.
 
Let the weather decide.

If the eight days they're visiting coincides with a Meltemi, or even just a good Aegean 'blow', then run with it south into the Saronic. It's a few years since we left the area, but we found that the benefits of hosting visitors there were that the waters were protected and you could also turn it into a one-way cruise for the visitors by dropping them off at one of the fast-cat ferry harbours back to Piraeus (Porto Khelli used to be the furthest-most) from where they can take the Metro back to the airport.

Alternatively, if the weather's light, let your visitors do some Googling and choose either the Sporades or western Cyclades; they're different but both attractive; again, you can always make it one-way to avoid the rush and put them on a ferry back to Piraeus and the airport.
 
Thanks for the suggestions Bob. I probably can't decide on it based on weather. There are a lot of factors involved including timing of transportation to the airport and where we are going afterwards. Later in the summer we will be in the Cyclades so that's not an option.
 
It's quite a slog up the Evvia channel, and you cannot be sure of getting through the bridge at Chalkis in one day - you may have to wait. Chalkis excepted we have mostly anchored in isolated bays when passing up or down the channel, so the Saronic islands would be my choice, and as BobnLesley point out, there are good fast ferry connections to Athens. some ports do however get busy, especially Aegina.
 
8 days is a bit rushed for a round trip, esp with those dodgy joints. You don't really want any heeling bouncy windward work.
Playing it safe south to Nafplion in easy instalments sounds right to me.
 
tri39 said:
8 days is a bit rushed for a round trip, esp with those dodgy joints. You don't really want any heeling bouncy windward work.
Playing it safe south to Nafplion in easy instalments sounds right to me.
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+1. You do not say what time of year it will be. In May you will probably find the Sporades to be reasonably quiet but it's quite a slog in the time available, with no step-off berths south of Khalkhis that I can recall. The Saronic has plenty, many interesting places, ruins to visit, and generally quieter weather.
 
I would recommend the Saronic, plenty to see in relatively short hops, including Epidavros (see history) Methana on the mainland (a visit to the royal spa is a must....a real Monty python experience). Avoid Aegina at the weekend, visit Poros to see the super yachts and do Iydra by hydrofoil from Aegina or Spetses to avoid mega stress. Porto helli and ermoni are a must visit. All stops on the ferry and hydrofoil to Piraeus and the airport. All memorable places in their way.
 
Corinth is a good place to leave the boat to meet them in Athens, the train into the airport from Corinth city is quick, cheap and frequent. That is, if you want to give them the experience of the canal. After that there are plenty of lovely little harbours in argo-saronic with easy links back to the airport. Probably less stress than going for the sporades.
 
Saronic, end point Navplion, and allow a night in Navplion. Good, regular buses Navplion to Athens, or Navplion to Corinth, then train to airport.

There are more than enough interesting stops en route. They're marked in blue on the charts on my web site. They'll love harbours like Astros, Poros, Aegina, and the informality of the cafe/restaurants. For a bit of genuine Greece (as apart from the tourist serving stylee), consider Leonidion Plaka, with the intention of catching bus/taxi into the town 2km inland.

Avoid Tolon, Porto Heli.

Speaking from experience, err, being that sort of age. Ruins do involve an awful lot of walking . . .

JimB
 
Wow. Thank you all for the replies. It looks unanimous for Saronic. The idea of waiting to go through the Corinth Canal is fantastic. So, I think I'll do that.


Thanks again.
 
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I agree with JimB. End point Navplion. Very attractive city with good transport links. They'll love it and it's the right distance to do in a week.

I personally wouldn't recommend trying to get to the Sporades in 8 days. It's a long trek and could be against the wind most of the way.

What I'd do, unless they are arriving late at night, is arrange to meet them in Aegina - easy to get to from the airport. Avoid weekends as others have said (it's a zoo then!) and I'm assuming they don't have to travel at weekends if they are retired. You can pm me for a berth Mon - Thurs. Just jump on a hydrofoil then airport bus to meet them.

Aegina's a nice place for their first night with a real Greek island feel and several places where you can get really good food.

If they do have to travel at weekend I'd suggest you take your yacht to Poros or Epidavros and meet them there. You can get to both by road (well you have to get a little ferry from Galatas at the end to get to Poros).

I'd then choose a route from Epidavros, Vathi, Poros, Hydra (I'd look but not stay overnight ...), Ermioni/Mandrakia. Or anchor in Dhokos for a swim under the stars.

I'd suggest giving Spetses a miss as it can be a nightmare to find anywhere to moor and they won't want to be hopping in and out of dinghies I guess. You can go to Porto Kheli and get a water taxi across but I think if you have 8 days I'd head across to the other side of the Argolic rather than go to Spetses/Porto Kheli.

I'd go from Ermioni straight over to Plaka and explore that coast a bit.

Kiparrisi is stunning so get there if you can. If conditions are suitable you could maybe even get down to Monemvasia and/or Yerikas but it's probably a little far.

Then head up to Navplion maybe via Astrous (winds in the Argolic are often southerly so you should get a good run) You can have your final night's meal in one of the lovely old squares or picturesque streets with their flowering trees.
 
Melody and all,
Great suggestions. This is what I have so far:
Arrive June 3rd - Leave June 11th
June 3rd - Athens airport to Corinth
June 4th - Corinth Canal to Poros - 50nm
June 5th - Poros - Epidaurus Tour
June 6th - Poros to Hydra to Dokos - 25nm
June 7th - Dokos to ?
June 8th - ?
June 9th - ?
June 10th - ? to Nafplio
June 11th - Nafplio to Athens Airport

June 7th would be best to have a quay. The 8th we could anchor out again, rent a car, or what ever. Any more suggestions?
 
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June 7 - Ermioni South Quay. Not a long distance but sometimes good to have a shorter day. Should be plenty of room as a Saturday and taverna owners will be waving to take your stern lines - we liked Mikaelis at the far end as you come in, blue paint from memory.
Supermarket nearby and more shops by taking the shortish walk through to the harbour area or longer, beautiful coastal path around the peninsula. This is mainly flat with a good surface - just right for getting those joints working!
 
Seren said:
June 7 - Ermioni South Quay. Not a long distance but sometimes good to have a shorter day. Should be plenty of room as a Saturday and taverna owners will be waving to take your stern lines - we liked Mikaelis at the far end as you come in, blue paint from memory.
Supermarket nearby and more shops by taking the shortish walk through to the harbour area or longer, beautiful coastal path around the peninsula. This is mainly flat with a good surface - just right for getting those joints working!
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+1, Mikalis does very good food and provides water and electricity if required.

Epidavros asclepion and theatre are well worth visiting, one of the most 'wow' sites we've seen in Greece. The ground is flat (unless you want to climb to the top of the theatre) and easy going.
 
If I was to risk adding a bit to the so far excellent and well documented advice, I would say do not be afraid to spend a second day in a place that proved nice.
 
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Palarran said:
Melody and all,
Great suggestions. This is what I have so far:
Arrive June 3rd - Leave June 11th
June 3rd - Athens airport to Corinth
June 4th - Corinth Canal to Poros - 50nm
Click to expand...

This assumes you will be able to transit the canal quickly in the morning.
And is still a long first day's sailing. Be prepared to stop in Epidavros, or sooner,
no need to reach Poros in one go.
 
cmedsailor said:
Just make sure you do that during day light. At night it's quite scary (my experience) seing these walls around you! During the day, I guess, it's fascinating.
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I would add to that, do it around midday. We have transited twice, first time around the middle of the day, sun shining in, beautiful. Second time was 0800, sun not getting in at all, quite cold and nowhere near as exciting an experience.
 
This has been great advice and really helped to take a load off my mind. I personally really wanted to cruise the Sporades but just couldn't seem to work it in our relatively short time frame. We are heading to Turkey after dropping off the Pop's and it seemed so rushed. Again, the idea of waiting for them to transit the canal is awesome as it will be a highlight for all of us.

I think we will need to plan a stop before Poros. I'll have to look at how much time we will save. Touring Epidavros would be great. I think we will be able to visit 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites this summer. I'll work on my plan this week and post it once again to see what you all think. Thanks again.
 
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