Visitor Publish: Thanks to Nicholas Kontis, Story Author and Photographer
In the course of the summer time holidays of my youth, my household and I visited family in Greece. I slept in spare bedrooms, on creaky couches, and even in a sleeping bag in backyards. Nonetheless, my most cherished reminiscence was crusing with an uncle who co-owned a 50-foot yacht. He took me on a voyage from my father’s house in Patras to the Ionian islands. I found pristine seashores that many vacationers by no means see, enriching my Greek journey with various encounters.
Later, silver-screen epics like Huge Blue, an anthem to waters of the Aegean Sea; Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, a love story set on the island of Kefalonia; and the romantic comedy Mamma Mia!. with its star-studded solid, paved the way in which for a increase in tourism to Greece.
Nevertheless it’s not as if Greece was ever absent from vacationers’ radar. And the attraction is barely rising. Lured by marvelous antiquities, over 200 inhabited islands with world-class seashores, and a tasty Mediterranean food regimen, over 30 million folks set foot on Greek soil in 2023.
Greece’s main small ship operator, Selection Cruises, anchors in secluded ports inaccessible to bigger vessels. These embrace the islands of the northern Dodecanese and the less-visited isles of the Cyclades.
I discover the attraction of small-ship cruising irresistible. An ideal instance is Selection’s “Unexplored Greece” itinerary: Eight flawless days and eight islands with solely 38 different friends on the luxurious motor-sailing yacht Panorama. We loved spacious cabins, elegant Mediterranean eating and a panoramic deck. We made impromptu stops for refreshing swims in hidden coves, shared meals with locals at seaside tavernas, and explored unspoiled islands with out struggling the vacationer crowds of Mykonos and Santorini vacationers vying for sundown and windmill images.
Athens and Ikaria
My spouse and I spent our first night time in Athens at The Athenaeum Resort, a newly opened property adjoining to the labyrinthine metropolis middle of Plaka. The following day we boarded the Panorama on the port of Marina Zeas. The boarding course of was clean. As I stepped onto the deck, the nice and cozy sea breeze greeted me with the anticipation of adventures forward.
Flexibility is essential to any expedition crusing. Itineraries aren’t set in stone. Seasoned cruisers be taught to anticipate the surprising and glide. Our first cease was at Ikaria Island, the place one in three residents stay to be at the very least 90 years outdated. However after a swim within the emerald waters of Seychelles Seaside, a tanker maneuvered into our anchorage. So Captain Andreas Sifnotis introduced that we’d head straight to our subsequent cease on Patmos.
Patmos
Skipping the afternoon and night in Ikaria meant extra time on the picturesque harbor of Skala on Patmos, northernmost of the Dodecanese group of 12 enchanted isles. On a half-day tour, we climbed to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and visited the cave the place the evangelist had the apocalyptic visions that led to the writing of the Guide of Revelation.
The ingredient of shock and journey — the fun of not figuring out what every day will deliver — is likely one of the issues that makes small-ship cruises distinctive and exhilarating. Every day, passengers can select between an organized tour, exploring the island on their very own, or merely basking within the solar.
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Lipsi
Serendipity greeted us on Lipsi, whose inhabitants is barely 700. Pilgrims from different islands joined locals to rejoice the feast of St. John of Klydonas, and we discovered ourselves experiencing true custom. The folks of Lipsi sang and danced as youngsters jumped over the flames of burning floral wreaths to exorcise evil spirits. Dinner was on our personal, which inspired us to take pleasure in recent fish at port-side eating places. Some vacationers detoured to a vineyard well-known for its Aposperitis dessert wine served to Prince Charles and Camilla in Athens.
Kalymnos
On Kalymnos, we arrived within the late afternoon on the energetic port of Pothia, well-known for its sponge divers. On a guided tour, we visited a Neoclassical home — constructed by proud native historian Mihalis Kyrannis — to see a curated assortment of the island’s wealthy cultural tapestry and to be taught in regards to the courageous males who dedicate their lives to sponge diving. I rent a cab to take me to the highest of the island, to the stone monastery of the island’s patron saint, Agios Savvas. For dinner, my spouse and I joined different friends from Argentina and Australia for a seafood feast at Mamouzelos Restaurant on the waterfront.
Amorgos
Our subsequent island cease was one which I already knew. Amorgos is the undiscovered jewel of the Cyclades. Heavy winds prevented us from touchdown on the island’s important port of Katapola, so we docked at Aegialis as a substitute. Whereas a lot of my shipmates took a strolling tour, I met with island matriarch Irene Giannakopoulos for a cooking demonstration at her lofty Aegialis Resort & Spa. Later, I opted for a drive across the island to go to one among Greece’s most imposing landmarks, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa. Constructed right into a rock face on the facet of a cliff 300 ft above the ocean, it provides far-reaching views of the evergreen and turquoise Aegean.
Serifos
Earlier than returning to Athens, we stopped at Serifos, one other island I had beforehand visited. On the port of Livadi, I rented a automotive for 30 euros and drove across the island, making swim stops at seashores frequented by solely a handful of individuals. The vigorous port city leads upwards to the central village of Chora.
M/S Panorama
The Panorama goes the place bigger ships can’t. Its two dozen cozy cabins can accommodate 49 passengers. Facilities embrace non-public bogs, a TV, a small secure and a mini-fridge. A small lounge on the ship’s entrance boasts panoramic home windows and a library of books about Greece. Visitors share breakfast and both lunch or dinner in a big eating room; the menu options each Greek treats and worldwide delicacies. An indoor bar and lounge space are on the higher deck. Out of doors areas embrace two sundecks. We normally sailed at night time, waking up most days at new ports of name.
In case your concept of paradise includes small-ship sailings in a land of legendary magnificence with fewer than 50 friends, this Greek trip could also be your excellent vacation. You’ll see picturesque villages on less-explored islands, cease at clandestine coves and seashores, and dine on the freshest catch of the day at quiet ports of name. Selection Cruises’ “Unexplored Greece” is greater than a passage to genuine Greece. It’s a portal to immerse your self within the true spirit of this historic land.
images credit score Nick Kontis
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M/S Galileo
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