Ionian itinerary help

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Ethel

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We are planning to charter a sailboat for one-week in the Ionian in May 2006, most likely either Moorings or Sunsail.

We have limited time (one-week) and need to decide whether to travel (1) round-trip from Gouvia, (2) round-trip from Levkas, (3) one-way from Gouvia to Levkas, or (4) one-way from Levkas to Gouvia.

I would appreciate any/all suggestion you have on these choices, as well as your most favorite stops along the way.

Thank you in advance!
 
I have sailed solo for one week every year for the last 3 years in the ionian out of Nidri, I would recommend as an itinery -
Levkas town - Spartakori (meganissi)
Spartakori - Kioni (Ithaca)
Kioni - Vathi (Ithaca)
Vathi - Fishkardo (Kefalonia )
Fishkardo - Sivota ( Levkas)
Siota - Levkas town
or some variation on the above, Try to fit a lunch at Aberleke bay in. There is no shortage of great places on the islands of Ithaca, Kefalonia, Levkas, Meganissi, Kastos and Kalamos, and the mainland port of Palairos is also close. May is also a great time to sail there, not so busy, great weather and very colourful.
Please excuse the spellings, it's not easy there to agree on a correct spelling.
 
Dear LadyStardust: Thanks; your ideas are most helpful. It sounds like you recommend the Levkas round-trip vs. Corfu -- is that correct? Do you prefer that area vs. the northern Ionians?
 
I can only speak for round trips from Lefkas, but have found more than enough anhcorages/towns to explore, I've sailed there for several 3 and 4 week trips. Some with young keen sailing crews others with young families, they all enjoyed the area. Have a good trip!

For an inland (short) trip there was a great restaurant on the cliff tops on the West coast of Lefkas, a short trip from Vassiliki town, hire car or taxi for the evening.
 
I have to agree with Lady stardust, but, I would replace Fiscardo with Aghia Efemia.
Fiscardo has become a huge rip/off, charging twice the price for food and drink,as anywhere else. Assos is very nice if the weather is settled also.
 
Advantage of the northern route is the proximity and availability of flights to Corfu, rather than Preveza. On this circuit, you have Stefanos to the North of Corfu then down to N. Sivota (Mourtos) on the mainland, across to Lakka on Paxos, hop to Monganissi to the South of Paxos, across to Parga (bit touristy but a change and a good beach). On the Southern route, I'd concur with others suggestions and there is a far greater choice of stops to the South I think, where it's all a bit quieter and in settled weather more choice of small bays for BBQ and lunchtime stops. On a one week though, most important is to minimise transfers and ensure that you can get to the boat fast, check it over and get checked out quickly. By the time this happens, it's sometimes too late to leave Gouvia/Levkas. same applies to returning. The charter company will probably want you back the late afternoon of the day before you fly. If not a large company they may let you in in the next morning (provided there's no damage/breakages and you maybe agree to sweep up, a bit). This way, you just hop off and catch the plane! If you want a week's holiday, it's best to ensure that at least four of them are sailing! Try smaller charter operators too.
 
Levkas to Gouvia can be two days hard work if the Maestral is fresh so I'd
rule that out if you only have six days sailing. Gouvia to Levkas is two days
downwind but only leaves four days in the "Inland sea". Round trip from
Levkas would be more relaxing, shorter day trips. Depends how keen or
otherwise your crew are. Are they expecting sunbathing or winching?
 
I would recommend Lefkas to Lefkas. There are so many nice places to visit you could spend the whole summer just in that area!
By coincidence I have a copy of Rod Heikells excellent guide to the Ionian available in the "for Sale" section. I used this over the past year in the Lefkas area and found it invaluable
 
If you only have a week then lefkas-lefkas is your best option..in the inland sea there are plenty of places to visit and the distances between are short,It will be quieter in May so there will be no probs berthing. Don't underestimate the distances in the North Ionian, as a previous message said Lefkas to Corfu is the best part of two Days sailing.
 
Ethel,
we have had our boat in the Ionian for 4 years now, and still aren't fed up with it yet. I'd definitely echo the other replies to your query: go for the Lefkas-Lefkas round trip, any day!
You mention Moorings and Sunsail: their boats tend to be quite new & shiny, and that's what you're paying for; but if you don't mind sailing in something a little older (say, 5 or 6 years old), then you could save some dosh by looking into what Neilson (ex-Sunworld) or Sailing Holidays have on offer.
In our experience, finding cheap flights to Preveza has rarely been a problem, especially outside of main school holiday periods (try www.xl.com).
As for recommendations for favourite places, how long have you got?
Abelike bay, little Vathi on Meganisi, port Leone on Kalamos, the bay just south of Fiskardho, Sami & Poros on Kefalonia,...
I could go on and on and on...!
 
This is Ethel saying "thank you" to all of you who have contributed your two-cents. All have been so helpful! I think that based on what you've said we will visit Corfu by land, go to Levkas, and charter round-trip out of Levkas. Keep thouse suggestions coming; we are loving them!
 
I havent tried Corfu yet, heard good and bad reports. I think we will venture south when we explore further.
I agree with the comments about Fishkardo, and I don't go there myself anymore due to the extreme prices (at least by Greek standarrds), but I recommend one visit just as it's so pretty, it's also the only place I ever had to pay harbour fees (about €5 ) in the region. Also as mentioned Assos on the west coast of Kefalonia is a good stop after Fishkardo, Well worth the visit, however you need to be sure of calm weather for the stay as I believe the port is a nightmare in any kind of westerly.
Have fun, and don't tell too many people about the area.
 
Try to visit Mitika,the small town on the mainland opposite Kalamos..it is off the flotilla route but well worth a lunch stop.It's not touristy but has several good tavernas and we have found the local folks welcoming and friendly.It also makes an excellent overnight stop.
 
Agree with Levkas - Levkas also about Fiscardo - what a rip off these days. some really nice ,safe,anchorages going south past Fiskardo towards Euphemia which could be a good bolt hole if you need to move from the anchorage.
If you down that far it`s worth going on south to Poros (cephalonia) and on your return northwards try the lovely anchorage off piragelli ( rat island i the pilot).
Would not necessarily agree about the "corporate" charterers, you will save money buy booking with smaller ones and get better yachts and service. there are a few good ones based in Nidri and Vliko.
whatever you do you are guaranteed a great sailing holiday in this part of /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif GREECE.
 
Haven't been back to Mitikas for a few summers; we've been observing the ongoing work in/around what looks like a new harbour with a very narrow entrance: has anybody been in to have a look this summer?
While we're talking about the mainland coast,we'd like to mention Astakos which we've grown quite fond of (in anything except a southerly wind direction!).Quite underrated we think.
Update on Ormos Pera Pigadhi (little islet off SE of Ithaca- mentioned in a previous posting as having rats): we can confirm Rod Heikell's reports about rats on the islet, although I wouldn't go so far as to call them "big"; definitely bold though, and in our experience they " have no hesitation in invading a yacht moored overnight on the quay". Wasn't much of a problem, though: just make sure you don't leave any food lying around in the cockpit, check that your mozzie-nets fit your hatches snugly, and the little noisy monsters can't get any further than on the decks, where it sometimes sounds like they're holding tap-dancing competitions...
Alternatively: just anchor off for a lunchtime swim, the water is absolutely crystal-clear, it's a dream!
 
Just got back from my 3rd trip to Lefkas this year.
I agree with suggestions from other posters that Lefkas - Lefkas is probably your best option and that Fiskardo is fast becoming a very crowded but very pretty rip off.
If you want informal flotilla try Sailing Holidays, If you want bareboat then Id recommend Sail Ionian. (www.sailionian.co.uk) They are based out of Vliho on Lefkas and Di and Neil just couldnt be more helpful and friendly. There are a number of other charter companies operating out of Lefkas marina (where we are based) - if you want the contacts pm me.
PS dont go to Vathy on Ithaca unless you are prepared have your anchoring techniques tested to the full by the Mistral
 
Enjoy we had a 2 week flotilla booked with sailingholidays.com for Septemeber this year but due to complications with pregnancy we pulled out at the last minute. Everything ok now though. We plan on going for it again next year with baby. Sailingholidays.com were very helpful and will said they will rig boat with safety lines and nets for babies!
 
We just booked our first charter with Sunsail to Lefkas for April /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I will post when we get back with any gems or disasters /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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