Sailing Through Greece

Sailing Through Greece

May 1, 2015 • Culture, In the Magazine, Travel

By Ashley Jean

You are slowly lulled out of a deep slumber by the gentle rocking of the waves and the soothing sounds of the ocean caressing the sides of your private vessel. The symphony of ocean sounds permeate every inch of space in your cabin and for a brief moment, you have no sense of up or down, left or right. You only know that you’re in paradise, at the mercy of the Mediterranean Sea and the Meltemi wind. You will gladly go wherever either of them take you.

Waking up like this is an everyday occurrence when you choose to explore the islands of Greece via sailboat. Sure you could do like so many others and simply visit the splendor of Santorini and the never-ending nightlife of Mykonos, but then what about the quiet charm of Koufonisia? Or the eclectic town centre of Ios? Traveling by sailboat allows you to see both people and places that would be otherwise tragically overlooked.

“What does the itinerary look like today captain?” I toss the question out, almost as if it were rhetorical. The itinerary has been the exact same the past four mornings.“Whatever you would like it to be ma’am.” Music to my ears.

My skipper is an expert sailor. He lives and breathes for the crisp ocean air, and for as long as he can remember, he has always wanted to live at sea. The city life has never been for him, he tells me. I take a deep, soothing breath, knowing with utter certainty that I’m in good hands. He maneuvers the 50-foot vessel with such confidence and ease that for a moment I think, “I could sail this boat!” Of course this is far from the truth and after a few attempts at helping out, I realize I am much better suited to sipping the local wine on the sun deck and occasionally offering idle chit-chat. No objections here.

My adventure began on the picturesque island of Santorini. Like many people, I had seen photos of the island beforehand and had a clear mental image of what to expect. Occasionally, when I carry my lofty expectations along with me on my travels, I’m somewhat disappointed by the reality of the place. Santorini, however, was everything that I had expected and more. Take, for example, the small, quaint villages and black sand beaches to escape the sun’s relentless heat. Or the chalky white buildings topped with cobalt blue rooftops perched along the edges of the island’s many cliffs. Sailing through the southern Aegean Sea is an experience one can never forget. Every island that you stop at to explore will have you falling in love with Greece over and over again.

Daily life on the water is easy and relaxed. The vessel is fully equipped with a working toilet and shower, as well as a functional kitchen. Prior to sailing, your skipper will take you to a local supermarket to stock up on breakfast essentials and local goodies. Each morning, after waking up from a restful sleep, you can conveniently saunter out into the galley and make yourself a fresh cup of coffee along with the breakfast of your choice. Although the kitchen has more than enough room to store food for the week, most afternoons are spent on land enjoying the abundance of fresh produce and eclectic local meals.

The culinary scene in Greece is nothing short of spectacular and will more than likely play a significant role in your experience there. Even dishes as simple as salads will make your taste buds dance. The fruits and vegetables are richer and more flavourful than anything you’ve had before. And Greece also happens to be a cheese lover’s paradise, with most of the small villages producing local varieties made from either cow or goat milk. One of the greatest joys of sailing through this region is the ability to visit the smaller islands that have yet to be discovered by the fast-food chains. This is where you’ll discover the authentic Greek cuisine that makes this destination such a favourite among travelers.

The reality is that thousands of people visit Greece every year, but few know about the myriad of options available for traveling between islands outside of large cruise ships and ferries. Whether you’re an experienced sailor or have never sailed a day in your life, renting a sailboat is as easy as can be. There are many companies that allow travelers to rent a vessel, but be sure to choose a reputable company that takes pride in their equipment. When you don’t have to worry about the quality of the equipment, it makes it much easier to focus on the important things, like which island you want to visit next or what kind of wine to pair with your dinner.

Europe Greece Sailing Travel