. . .ratherbesailing

PWYLL

Our sailing grounds encompass the area of the Dodecanese Islands north of Kalymnos

 and South of Patmos. The winds that we can expect are pretty steady as sailing winds go,

and so we have some routes that will allow us to take in a number of the island group.

The Dodecanese Group:

This group of islands is made up of the twelve major islands and their satelite islands of which there are many. The Dodecanese is a chain running fairly close to the shores of Turkey, being the eastern most "border" of Greece. These islands were occupied by the Ottoman Empire for 500 years, and from 1919 to 1949, by Italy. Each has left a mark on the people and traditions of each island, and each island is unique.

Our island sailing tour will most likely include Kalymnos, Lipsos, Patmos, Marathi, Agathonissi, and if the winds permit a longer sail to Levita, or on a calm day, Aspronissi.

 

 

Our stops will alternate between larger and smaller islands, anchoring on the docks of a village one night and in an isolated anchorage the next.

Patmos is the most historic of all the islands in this group being "Saint John's Island" where he composed the Revelations. Little remains on these islands of Greece's ancient past, most history here more from the 1100's.

Here in the Dodecanese you will savor the island life of the Greeks as they have lived for centuries, often cut off from mainland Greece for long periods of time. "Village Greek" is spoken in a different way on each island and each island has it's unique traditions and way of life, each considering the other almost a foreign state- or at least, a rival. The simple fishing traditions still prevail, and their easy going pace of life with it. 

We are lucky to be a part of this lifestyle that still moves at a pace associated with the mid 1900's.

As a compliment to your sailing holiday. . .

we suggest that you stay one or two days on land before your sailing holiday begins. Possibly visit the very interesting old fortress town (a midevial maze) of Rhodes, (it is easiest to get flights in to Rhodes and carry on from there by the Island Catamaran Service "Dodecanese Express" the next day)

or stay on a smaller island and give yourself the chance to get into
Greek mode and island life and also recover from jet-lag before you come aboard.


It is strongly recommended to have at least one night land stay for jet-lag recovery before we depart so that you will be alert for the first day orientation.


If you would like to have an extended island stay, there are very nice
locations on Samos, Leros, Lipsos, Santorini and Marathi.


                        Marathi,

                                                                         a tiny,tiny island...


Begin your holiday in Greece with a stay on this tiny remote island where one family has lived for at least 3 generations. It takes a little longer to get here, but it is well worth the relaxation. Your best bet is to fly to Samos where you will take a hydrofoil to Lipsi, then be picked up by a private boat. We can make these arrangements for you.

     
Spend three or more days in isolation in one of Marathi's small B&Bs. Swim off the beach, snorkel, take a walk around the island (in all about 2 miles).


Join the return clients from all over Europe at the taverna of the ownerof the island for conversation. The evenings often get quite lively with talk,music and dance.

   
Mahalis & Dimitri, or down the beach at Stavros' rooms, all charges around $35-$40US, A bargain, considering that something similar in the Caribbean would cost over $200!


We will be sailing among the islands of Patmos, Samos, Agathonissi, Arki,
Lipsi and Leros following your sailing trip.

At the beginning or end or your sailing holiday, an island stay could be

a great addition to your Greek experience.


An island stay is intended for those who want true relaxation.

 Slow down
and become a little Greek. Find out what you have been missing...

We hope that everyone that joins our trips will do just this.

A TASTE OF LEROS

Leros is a very simple and very tipical island where normal, not tourist,

 life goes along quite happily all year 'round. You might choose to stay

 here before or after your cruise to get to know our "home base".

 

 

There are a number of small hotels on the shore, or inland, which will make your

 stay on land a pleasant compliment to your sailing holiday.

Created by the captain March 2008