Sail through the Corinth Canal to the Ionian Sea

September 2 to 15, 2002 16 Days (Athens to Corfu)

Price: $3,150 per person sharing double cabin and hotel room 

Day 1: Depart
Depart JFK airport on Olympic Airways non-stop flight to Athens.
  
Day 2: Athens
Arrive in Athens’ New Sparta Airport for a transfer to our hotel in the city’s center. The afternoon is free to relax, shop, walk around and visit the sites of the ancient and vibrant city. In the evening we meet our crew, get boat assignments then enjoy a welcoming dinner in Plaka.

Day 3: Athens, Aegina
After breakfast we will board a tour bus to visit the sites of Athens, including the Acropolis and then we are taken to meet our boats and begin our adventure. We sail to Aegina where the 570 BC Temple Afea and other antiquities dot the island, and colorful fishing villages like Perdika are everywhere.  

Day 4: Epidauros
Leave Aegina for the town of Epidauros, known for its famous 14,000 seat classical Greek theater built in 5th century BC, where the Greek tragedies and comedies played to a full house.  

Day 5: Corinth Canal, Kiato
Set off to cross the Corinth Canal, 3.2 miles long, 81 ft wide and limestone walls rise 250º above sea level. If you haven’t crossed a canal, you’ll be inspired by the magnitude of the labor that was needed to create this marvel. Our destination is the port of Kiato with lovely beaches and friendly shops.  

Day 6: Kiato, Delfi
From Kiato, we are headed to Itea located on the north side of the Corinth Gulf. There we will take a bus tour of Delfi, the ancients’ center of the universe, & one of the most beautiful classical sites in Greece. It is to Delfi where leaders sent their emissaries or made personal visits to discover the secrets of the future as revealed by the Oracles of Delfi. Alexander the Great started his conquest of the East after he was told that his campaign would be successful.  

Day 7: Nafpaktos
Our next destination is the medieval harbor of Nafpaktos, a very picturesque harbor built in the medieval period built by the Venetians and later occupied by the Turks.
  
Day 8: Nafpaktos, Patras
Leaving Nafpaktos, we take a heading for Patras, a key port in present & ancient times. Located at the entrance to the Corinth Gulf, a castle from 1220 Venetian period is now being restored.
  
Day 9: Ionian Sea
Sailing out into the Ionian Sea, we’ll visit Ithaca, home of Odysseus’ kingdom. Its enchanting coves are waiting to be explored and medieval monasteries to be seen, sleepy villages to be found.  

Day 10: Cephalonia, Argostoli
Cruising next to Cephalonia, an island that was part of Odysseus’ Kingdom. Its spectacular vistas, history and the island that provided the setting for the recent movie, Corellis’ Mandolin. You will have time to explore this beautiful island and perhaps take a bus to the main town of Argostoli.  

Day 11: Meganisi
Leaving the friendly people of Cephlonia, we go to Meganisi, since ancient times known as a pirate’s haunt with breathtaking views. Its villages are quaint & friendly and streets too small for cars.  

Day 12: Lefkas
We’re off to Lefkas, an island with steep cliffs and high mountains. We’ll pass Aristotle Onasis’ private island Skorpios. To reach Lefkas, we pass through a canal cut through salt marsh.  

Day 13: Paxos
Nearing our final destination, we sail to Paxos, a picturesque serene island, a verdant sanctuary with small clear water coves with wonderful beaches and tiny villages and Venetian relics.  

Day 14: Corfu
Our final destination, Corfu, its splendid history dating back to 1200 BC, now a splendid verdant island with a rich history and present vibrant community. Our last night on our boats.  

Day 15: Corfu
We leave our boats for a coach tour of Corfu, and then transfer to our hotel where we get back to hot showers and plenty of water. A farewell dinner is planned this evening & stories to share.  

Day 16: Athens
After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport to fly to Athens and connect with our flight back home. 

Price per person: $3,150 per person sharing double cabin & hotel room. 

Inclusions:

• Airfare New York-Athens-New York & flights between Athens & Corfu

• All transfers in Athens and Corfu

• Welcoming reception and dinner

• Accommodations in Class A hotels in Athens and Corfu, including breakfast.

• Lead boat with skipper, Archaeological Guide and Albatross staff.

• The yachts are 55 & 60 ft (4 double cabins, each with ensuite facilities, and private skipper’s cabin).

• Skipper included in each boat (bareboat requests for a full yacht charter can be accommodated).

• Starter Pack Provisions for the first day’s lunch and following morning’s breakfast.

• Half-day coach tour of ancient sites in each Corfu and Athens.

• Farewell dinner in Athens.

• Running expenses of the yachts including all port fees, yacht insurance, and taxes,  Fuel and water.

• Canal fees.

Arrange Your Own Itinerary:
Charter a Yacht for Parties of 4 or More

The itinerary described is the schedule of ports we plan on visiting; however, it is subject to change due to weather schedule considerations, and the decision of the lead skipper is final.

For those who want the most from this visit to Greece!

For those wishing to extend their stay in Greece, we will offer special tours on mainland Greece or visits to the island of Greece, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, or others.