From
the Aegean to the Ionian
This cruise is unique, not just because it will take place only
once in the summer, but because it also involves crossing the
Corinthian Canal and stopping at Galaxidi
which is the ideal place for a visit to the ancient site of
Delphi on the mainland. It involves 2 long sails, the
first from Aegina to Galaxidi and the second
from Trizonia to Ithaca, during which there
will not be a stop for a swim and we will have lunch on the
way.
From Ithaca, the crossings between the
islands for the rest of the cruise will involve 4-5 hours of
sailing per day, which will be split in half by a couple of
hours stop in a deserted bay for swimming, snorkeling and lunch.
Arrival at the destination each day will be around 4 o'clock
in the evening.
Sunday
(Athens - Aegina)
On Sunday it will be ideal if everyone flies to Athens in the
morning, so that the cruise can start early in the afternoon.
The first day we will sail to the island of Aegina in the Aegean,
which is 18 miles away.
Monday
(Aegina - Corinthian Canal - Galaxidi)
This is the one of the two longer days, starting from Aegina
after breakfast and getting to the Corinthian Canal in the afternoon.
Normally we need to wait for up to one hour moored on the quay
until we are instructed to go through, which is the ideal opportunity
for lunch. The crossing takes just under one hour and then we
will sail through the Gulf of Corinth to the village of Galaxidi,
which is 40 miles away. The total distance covered this day
will be 65 miles.
Tuesday
(Galaxidi - Trizonia)
On Tuesday we will spend the morning in Galaxidi, so that those
who would like to visit the site of Ancient Delphi (60 Km away)
can take the local transport to go there. Sometime in the afternoon
and once everyone is back we will set sail for a bay, stop there
for a swim and lunch, and then continue for the tiny island
of Trizonia which is only 19 miles away.
Wednesday
(Trizonia - Ithaca)
This is the second long crossing of this cruise, starting at
Trizonia after breakfast and sailing all the way to Ithaca in
the Ionian Sea, after having crossed the remaining of the Gulf
of Corinth as well as the Gulf of Patras and sailed under the
longest suspended bridge in Europe.
It is a total of 70 miles and it makes you wonder what Odysseus
was feeling a few thousand years ago, as you first see the tops
of Ithaca's mountains on the horizon and hour after hour you
are getting closer to that beautiful island! We will arrive
there late in the evening.
Thursday
(Ithaca - Atokos - Kastos)
On Thursday we will leave Ithaca in the morning and sail to
the deserted island of Atokos for lunch,
before setting sail again for the small island of Kastos.
The distance covered will be 18 miles.
Friday
(Kastos - Meganisi)
The destination will be the olive-covered island of Meganisi,
including a stop in a deserted bay for lunch. The distance covered
this day will be 17 miles.
Saturday
(Meganisi - Scorpios - Lefkas)
From Meganisi it will be a short sail to Aristotle Onassis'
private island Scorpios where we will spend a few hours
in a picturesque bay, before setting sail again for Lefkas.
The distance covered will be 11 miles.
Sunday
The cruise will end at 10a.m., unless you are staying one more
week for a cruise around the rest of the Ionian Islands.
About
the Corinthian Canal
To get from the Aegean to the Ionian Sea in the old days, you
had to sail all the way around the south of the Peloponesse
which meant covering very big distances as well as negotiating
the notorious cape Maleas which is famous for its violent
gales. Another option was to have your ship carried over the
6 kilometer wide strip of land at Corinth, which connected the
mainland with the Peloponesse. This second option involved
the use of cylindrical tree trunks placed under the ship, while
dozens of men or horses were pulling with ropes, and this option
was obviously quite costly. The ancient stone path used for
that purpose was called diolkos and can still be seen
alongside the canal.
Last
century the construction of the Corinthian Canal was
completed (the first attempt was actually nearly three thousand
years ago, in the 7th century BC), and although it is still
costly with fees as high as 25000 Euro for a cruise liner, things
are made a lot easier for shipping this way.
It is a breathtaking experience going with a yacht through this
'slit' of rock which is only 21 meters wide, 80 meters high
above sea level and 6300 meters long!
About Ancient Delphi
The site of ancient Delphi is situated at the foot of the spectacular
mount Parnasos and it was the most important oracle
of ancient Greece. Its existence goes back to the prehistoric
times and whole cities, kings as well as individuals would consult
the priestesses, expressing their gratitude with great gifts
and spreading its fame around the world.
Archaeological excavations began in 1860 (after having to move
a whole village which was situated over the site!!!) and brought
to the surface spectacular remains which can be seen there.
It is a unique experience walking through the ancient structures
and buildings which are surrounded by imposing mountains, as
the views are really breathtaking. The museum is definitely
worth a visit as well, because that is where all those thousands
of objects and gifts to the oracle which were brought up by
the excavation, are kept for safety.
The temple of Delphi was dedicated to god Apollo and
it should be mentioned here that according to myth, every ship
sailing past this area had to stop to pay their tribute. The
ones who didn't, met a horrible death as Apollo launched
his arrows against them from his temple high up in the mountains!
Just in case, we have included in our itinerary a stop at the
village of Galaxidi which is not far from Delphi, as
you can never know with those ancient gods....!!!
Useful
Tips
Flights
Normally it is not cost efficient to get a one way flight from
your country to Athens and another one from Preveza airport
(the one serving Lefkas) back to your country.
You should get a return flight to Athens and at the end of the
cruise you can get from Lefkas to Athens by coach (trip duration
5 hours 30 minutes, cost 28 Euro), or by domestic flight (trip
duration 1 hour, cost 90 Euro).
Transfers
Transfers between the yacht in Lefkas and Preveza
airport are included in the price of your cruise. Unfortunately
we cannot include your transfers between Athens airport and
the yacht at the beginning of your cruise, as we will not have
our transport in Athens. However you can use the local transport
system as there is a good connection with the metro between
the airport and the marina. Your coach or plane trip back to
Athens from Lefkas is also not included in the price of your
cruise.
