Greek Cruising 2

[pentimento]

Seeing as there was an error with my previous post I will repeat it. I am chartering a yacht out of Athens for two weeks in July and would be interested if anyone has any experience of doing a circumnavigation of the Peloponnese in two weeks - do charter yachts have charts for all areas, do charterers normally let you take boats all the way round and what are the pros and cons? An anti clockwise route seems to look good with regard to the winds etc. Any observations welcomed.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

Two weeks around the Plop?

No problem.

Your charter boat (which company - we had ours managed by Kiriacoulis but she is now private only) will supply you with full charts. Remember that the Corinth canal is closed on tuesdays. You should easily get to Corinth Yacht harbour on the first day, then Patras on the second but there are many great places in between like Galaxhidi (Ancient Delphi), Trizonia, Navpaktos and Mesolonghi. Kiato is a bit industrial.

Having left the gulfs where you just might get the wind behind you as it either blows up or down the gulf never across is as the high hills funnel the wind You could turn for Kalymnos. Call at St Nicholas on the top corner (Blue Grotto) . Kalymnos town is noisy if you have to anchor but OK on the yacht berths. Beware this place on a saturday night/sunday morning. The churches start up only 45 minutes after the discos finish. The rest is in the Heikell which will also be supplied (in English only) Kalamata is a good marina and there are some great bays around there. After cape Malea there is the wonderful Leonhidion but take care to get your anchor in well as the middle of the small harbour is deep and poor holding.. Hydra is worth a visit but you'll probably have to raft up. Spetsei is over-rated (but that's strictly IMO) Ermione is great and has the oldest taverna in Greece - run by the son of El. Venezilos's chef (and Julie from Birmingham)

Poros mustn't be missed and you will probably spend your last night in Aigina (most do)

Have a great time.

I'm off to Greece on friday for a week but we have moved our boat to Corfu now - it'll be quieter during the olympics!

Send me a PM if you want any further info.

Steve Cronin






<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[steve_cronin]

for kalymnos please read Zakinthos...

I suddenly realised that you weren't intending a diversion to the dodecanese!

Another great place in Astrous, a little north of Leonhidion and then if you've time, Navplion (NB it isn't 1000 steps up to the Palamedi as per Heikell, it's 1084!)

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[beachbum]

Also not to be missed is Monemvassia - a kind of micro-Dubrovnik - at the mouth of the Argolic Gulf. And if you do get to Navplion, don't be put off by the 1000+ steps - you can get a taxi to the Palamidi!

<hr width=100% size=1>