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The Saronic Gulf and the centre of the Aegean Sea - the Cyclades - include some of the most stunning islands in the whole of Greece. History was made here and you discover a wide range of fascinating ancient sites while leisurely sailing from island to island. Significant volcanic landscapes dotted by hilltop towns with the normal Cycladic white-washed homes and windmills, crystal-clear waters, authentic food and environment make a luxury yacht charter here so unique and satisfying. Let us tell you a bit more about this abundant travelling ground in detail.

Why is the Aegean Sea such an in-demand charter location?

It contains the eastern entrance and exit point of the Corinth Canal, the city and port of Athens and the main islands Aegina, Salamis, Poros as well as many smaller ones. A really practical beginning point for an Aegean private yacht charter is Athens with its big airport and the huge marina of Kalamaki that offers a multitude of charter boats. The perfect yacht charter base for the Cyclades is Lavrion, about 37 km south-west from Athens airport.

The Cyclades consist of the islands of Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Eschati, iOS, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos, and Thira or Santorini plus a lot more smaller ones. It just is a large sailing ground with endless highlights to discover. Distances between the islands are much larger than in a few of the other Mediterranean archipelagos, so it is well suited for the skilled sailor.

The charm of the islands is legendary. There is the volcanic island of Milos.

The biggest airports are Santorini and Mykonos, which use numerous charter flights in summer from a lot of European bigger cities. Paros, Naxos, Syros and Milos also have airports with domestic flights. The ferry links between the islands among each other and with the mainland are dazzling, so it ´ s no issue to get to anywhere.

As everywhere around Greece, you will discover lovely genuine taverns with fantastic regional food and fresh fish, lovely ports and blue/white painted villages along with romantic thatch-roofed windmills. The backdrop are outstanding serene landscapes, consisting of volcanic rocky shorelines. There are nearly no tides but the sometimes occurring Meltemi winds need good sailing abilities.

Some pertinent info for Aegean sailboat charter:

Location: Mediterranean Sea east of the Peloponnese; south of Athens; north of Crete

Main Charter Bases: Kalamaki (just outside Athens); Lavrion (37 km south-east of Athens); Paros

Main airports: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini

Country code: +30

Climate: Mild, Mediterranean

Which primary charter destinations are there in the Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades?

The Saronic Gulf is mostly really secured as there is very little possibility of the Meltemi blowing and it is for that reason a good cruising ground for family sailing vacations.

One of the classic cruising paths in the Saronic Gulf leads from Athens along the coast to Cap Sounion. The Methana peninsula is an ancient volcano about 6 NM north-west of Poros Island.

Salamis, the biggest island in the Saronic Gulf with a rocky coastline of 104 km, is positioned only 2 km off the coast of Piraeus, Athens. It ´ s well-known for its fundamental part in numerous sea battles and provides some really nice fine sandy beaches. Take a look at the vibrant port of Paloukia in the North-East of the island or Peristeria in the South - a town with a yacht harbour and clean beaches. There is the huge bay of the main town, Salamina.

You can take the charter luxury yacht to Aegina, the so-called ´ pistachio island ´ due to its large growing of the crop. It is an extinct volcano with rugged shoreline and contains the ports of Perdika and Aegina Town with great taverns and souvenir stores.

Hydra, which is geographically not part of the Saronic Gulf however one of the Saronic Islands, is a lovely location popular with artists. Moor up in the secured port of its primary town Hydra or the quiet unspoilt port of Ermioni with a beautiful steep hilly background.

When cruising to Spetses, you can anchor in the bay or moor up straight in the primary town on the north-eastern pointer of the island.

Cruising the Cyclades Kea is one of the very first islands you come across. It is a common Cycladic island with a lovely old town and located 12 NM south-east of Cape Sounion.

Kythnos, just to the South, has a really indented shoreline excellent for anchoring or mooring in the stunning bays or ports, for instance Stefanos bay on the east side or protected Loutra port in the North East. Try the regional cheese, which is a popular specialty. The main marina to utilize on a yacht leasing is Merikha on the west side.

Seriphos has a fantastic entry into a long bay surrounded by high-rising hills. The port at the end is Livadhi. Go up to the Chora, where you have a definitely incredible view.

Sifnos lies a 9 NM sailing journey south of Serifos. Kamares on the north-west side is a well-protected port at the end of a large bay.

When on a boat charter in the Cyclades, you ought to pass by the island of Milos. It is an old volcano that forms a huge caldera surrounded by pumice cliffs. The port of Adhamas in the north part of the crater is one of the best-protected harbours in the Mediterranean.

Lastly Santorini: Going into the enormous caldera from the North-West and approaching the high cliffs is a highlight for every sailor.

From Santorini you can guide the cruising yacht via iOS to Amorgos, a bare rocky island that has actually kept quite of its genuine character and doesn ´ t have that much tourism.

Naxos is the biggest of the Cyclades Island chain. The channel in between Paros and Antiparos is great for anchoring as well as the safeguarded bays of the main town, Parikia, and the popular fishing port of Naoussa.

At the coast off the ancient website of Delos private yachts are only allowed to anchor till 3 pm, which is when the exhibition grounds close. Fourni Bay a little to the South, or the southern bay of neighbour islet Reneia are alternatives to set anchor over night.

A main attraction of every Aegean luxury yacht charter is Mykonos. There suffice bays on the south side to try to find shelter from the northerly Meltemi.

Syros, Tinos and Andros are 3 more of the larger Cycladic islands and there are numerous smaller sized ones on top of that, supplying the private yacht charterer with limitless options for sailing routes.

What are the prevailing weather systems for a yacht charter around the Aegean Islands?

It can take place rather unexpectedly as well as blow for 5 days on end, so in that case excellent sailing skills are required. Best suited for household sailing vacations is the well-protected Saronic Gulf.

Summary of the weather for cruising a luxury yacht charter in the Aegean with the example of Santorini:

Months with highest typical temperature: July/August, 26 °

. Months with least expensive typical temperature level: January/February, 12 °

. Month with greatest average rainfall: December, 167 mm.

Months with lowest average rainfall: July/August, 0 mm.

Month with the highest day-to-day sunlight hours: July, 14 hours.

Month with the lowest everyday sunshine hours: December, 6 hours.

Typical wind speed in summertime: 3 - 7 Bft.

Month with greatest typical water temperature: August, 25 °

. Month with most affordable typical water temperature level: January, 16 °.

Main season: May - October.

How much is Aegean yacht rental and what are the different charter types?

You can lease a 12 m sailboat, for instance, from about 1,400 EUR a week. Costs rise according to size, design and devices of the private yacht. Due to the strong winds, there aren ´ t actually any flotilla charters. You can do bareboat or skippered charter, and select between catamaran charter and sailboat or motor private yacht hire. You could choose a day charter or opt for high-end boat hire that includes a lot of extras and a crew according to your specific needs.

What else exists to do besides cruising on a boat hire in the Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf?

On a yacht hire in the Saronic Gulf, check out Epidaurus on the Peloponnese, a large ancient sanctuary and centre of healing set in the forest. Its ruins consist of a theatre with fantastic acoustics, where a whisper on the phase is heard anywhere on the 54 tiers of seats, an arena and far more. Check out the museum showing what exactly happened at the sanctuary in antiquity.

If you lease a yacht in Lavrion, go down to Cape Sounion which is located only about 10 km due south. It is a temple for Poseidon in a lovely setting on a steep cliff neglecting the sea.

Spetses Classic Luxury yacht Regatta beginning of July makes for some interesting racing with some gorgeous sailing private yachts, Aegean classic schooners and lateens.

Kea main town, Ioulis, is extremely picturesque. It sits high on a plateau like many Greek island towns - they used to be constructed like that for defense from pirates. Kea is extremely popular with scuba divers as the water has fantastic presence and abundant wildlife and there are excellent possibilities for cavern and wreck diving - one of the sis ships of the Titanic, the HMHS Britannic, sank there in 1916, among others.

If you have some time in-between sailing journeys, attend among the lots of traditional celebrations in Sifnos - there is one held practically monthly. With 360, the island has the highest amount of churches in all of the Cyclades. For instance, see a normal Greek wedding event at The Church of the 7 Martyrs in Kastro with its remarkable setting above the sea. Or check out the beautifully architected capital of the island, Apollonia.

Milos provides spectacular volcanic landscapes including its substantial caldera as well as the hot springs. For some sightseeing head to the remains of the middle ages castle of Palaiokastro at the acme.

Should the Meltemi blow a little too strong for sailing, take some time and check out the fantastic historical site and museum at Santorini. Likewise appreciate the plain volcanic landscape - there are no trees, simply craters and pumice cliffs. Go to Fira, which is a sea of whitewashed houses sitting high up on top of the black rocks that are magnificently lit up at night. View the sunset over the crater from one of the lots of bars and restaurants. There is a cable television cars and truck taking you up to the town or you can ride a donkey up the serpentine course. Try and savour the local red wine, which is particularly flavoured from the volcanic soil.

Amorgos was the backdrop for Luc Besson ´ s film The Big Blue and when you employ a motor- or sailing yacht in the Aegean Sea, you can go there yourself and soak up the incredible colour of the sky and the sea. Increase to the lovely Chora of Amorgos sitting on top of the hill beside scattered windmills and a Venetian castle with a stunning view. Other lovely towns are Tholaria and Langada and the imposing monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa in the cliff side north-east of Chora is also well worth visiting,.

You might check out a few of the many ruins on Naxos or employ some windsurfing/kitesurfing equipment at one of the lots of schools there.

Take a fast break in-between cruising journeys on your yacht charter and check out the buzzing and world-famous night life in Mykonos. For party, go to the Scandinavian Bar in the centre or the large Cavo Paradiso Club at Paradise Bay to the south. The next day relax at one of the beautiful beaches, roam through the terrific charming town with its funky stores and buy some art work or keepsakes.

Delos was the centre of the cult of Apollo and, as such, a holy island. Magnificent games were held there and a rich sanctuary with stunning architecture was developed. You can go to the vast ritualistic premises and the remains of spectacular temples and statues along with the historical museum. Wear ´ t miss out on the chance to stroll these traditionally essential mosaic floors when you ´ re doing a bareboat private yacht charter in the Aegean Sea.

Have a look at one of the most beautiful churches in Greece - Panagia Ekatontapilyiani in Parikia on Paros, constructed around the 7/8th century by among the designers of the Hagia Sofia. Or check out the neighboring ´ Butterfly Valley ´, a park with 10s of countless butterflies. Have a look at the attractive old port of Naoussa on the north coast with its white-washed homes and squares that are illuminated at night and create a fantastic atmosphere to sit outdoors and have dinner in among the dining establishments before continuing the cruising or motor private yacht charter the next day.

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The Saronic Gulf and the centre of the Aegean Sea - the Cyclades - include some... - The new blog 3793

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The Saronic Gulf and the centre of the Aegean Sea - the Cyclades - include some of the most stunning islands in the whole of Greece. History was made here and you discover a wide range of fascinating ancient sites while leisurely sailing from island to island.