Home to hundreds of tiny islands and a few major ones, the gulf of Saronikos is famous for its crystal clear waters, pristine beaches and traditional island life and architecture. The area has also been the epicenter for piracy in the Aegean archipelago for the past 11 centuries.
This sailing adventure, goes far beyond mere island hopping. It is a unique traveling experience that allows you to immerse in the local culture, learn a thing or two about the history of the places you visit and explore way beyond each island's marina, all through an interactive treasure hunt that focuses on the area's pirate escapades during the 18th century.
Fully customizable when it comes to both the pace and balance between either riddle solving or just plain relaxing, this treasure hunt adventure is an ideal choice for families, groups of friends as well as corporate team building events.
Sail in the incredible Aegean Archipelago, plan your next destination through solving riddles and find the clues which ultimately lead to a long lost pirate's treasure.
Join our crew, find the treasure and enjoy one of the best sailing experiences Greece has to offer!
Trip highlights
During the first day of your trip, you get a chance to explore the sights of downtown Athens. The world famous Acropolis hill, with the magnificent Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Roman Agora and the Temple of Zeus are all within walking distance from your hotel."
For those of you who want to get a first culinary taste of Greece, the nearby neighborhoods of Monastiraki and Plaka are bustling with traditional tavernas and are popular year round.
If you feel like immersing yourself further into the history and culture of Athens, there is the option of joining a walking tour that guides you through the main archaeological sites and areas of cultural interest in the center of Athens. Alternatively you could take part in our Historical Athens Treasure Hunt , a three hour walk through history game that includes visiting the most iconic of Athenian landmarks.
In the evening a welcome dinner takes place at a local bistro. As the chefs prepare delicious interpretations of traditional Greek dishes, we introduce you to the detailed schedule of activities and sightseeing opportunities the rest of your trip holds.
Overnight: 3* - 4* Hotel in the historic center of Athens
Meals included: Welcome Dinner at a local bistro
Our day starts with a short stroll around the historic center of Athens, before we head to the marina and board the sailing boat that is going to be our home for the next week. Your first clue as to your next destination will be handed to you by the skipper and you need to work as a team to figure out the answer.
Late afternoon we set sails towards the island of Aegina, with its laid back character, plethora of archaeological sites and small gulfs with pristine waters.
As the sun sets we leave the sailing boat and get a chance to explore the islandu2019s main town on foot.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing yacht
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast it is time to explore the old town, walk through its alleys and sightsee some more. You have the option to head further inland and explore an abandoned 11th century settlement or visit the Temple of Afaia, before we head back to the sailing boat, early afternoon.
A beautiful beach is a short sail away, where we have the chance to unwind, have a swim and try local delicacies at one of the traditional tavernas on shore.
In the evening we sail towards nearby tiny island of Dorousa and its bigger neighbour Agistri. We drop anchor for the night and prepare a delicious BBQ under the stars on a quiet island beach.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Breakfast, BBQ Dinner
In the morning we get a chance to get acquainted with the quiet island town of Agistri and its surrounding countryside on foot. The pine covered island provides a number of trails and some exciting opportunities for snorkelling and swimming and we have plenty of time to explore as well as relax.
Late afternoon we return to the sailing boat for lunch and, leaving the island behind us, we set sails for the seaside town of Palaia Epidaurus on the Peloponnese coast. We get there at dusk and have a chance to explore the old town on foot.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Breakfast, Light lunch
After breakfast it is time to visit the old town once again, this time heading towards the ancient theater on the town's edge. The 2000 seat theater, which dates back to 400BC, is a constant reminder of an ancient civilisation and a prime example of the area's cultural heritage.
Upon our return to the sailing boat, the island of Poros awaits, and this is where we head next, sailing along the Peloponnesian coast.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Breakfast, Light lunch
After breakfast we have plenty of time to explore the back alleys of the Old Town. It is a place of rich history that spans over two millennia and of great cultural importance.
Late afternoon we head to stunningly beautiful Hydra, which is the most prosperous island in the region and the epicenter of many a naval battles during the Greek wars for independence.
A ban of motorised vehicles on the island adds to its charm and Hydra is the ideal place for hikes and exploration on foot. An array of traditional tavernas, some of them dating back to the 18th century, museums and historic mansions, as well as a vivid nightlife, provide us with countless options for explorations.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Breakfast, Light lunch
After breakfast there is plenty of time to explore the old town once more, get acquainted with the island's history and taste traditional local delicacies and delicious fresh seafood. The fortified port and the back alleys of the old town provide us with countless photo opportunities and the tiny rocky beaches around the port are ideal for a midday swim.
Late afternoon we board the sailing boat and sail around the island. We drop anchor off a beautiful beach and you can enjoy the crystal clear waters, while we prepare a BBQ on shore.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Breakfast, BBQ Dinner
We have breakfast onboard and have plenty of time for another swim. Late morning we bid farewell to Hydra Island and set sails towards the nearby uninhabited island of Dokos. The tiny rock is a great place for a late morning swim, and for those into snorkelling, there's plenty of underwater sightseeing as well.
Our next destination for the day is the seaside settlement of Agia Marina on the island of Aegina, a perfect place for yet another island taverna meal.
As the sun sets, we head back towards Athens.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Breakfast, Light lunch
We wake up early in the morning, gather our bags and bid farewell to the sailing boat that has been our home for the past week. We head out to the marina and our adventure ends.
Accommodation/Single Room Booking
In order to guarantee a memorable overall experience throughout your sailing adventure with Bearing True South, we have carefully handpicked a fleet of 4 - cabin sailing yachts with a large sundeck and a comfortable indoor galley for meals and relaxing. There are four double bed cabins on the main deck of the yacht. There is also an extra inflatable boat and a boat ladder that facilitate our swimming and snorkelling activities.
In all our sailing trips, accommodation is operated on a twin share basis. This means that travelling as an individual, you will be sharing accommodation and room facilities with another person of the same sex or your partner, spouse, family, friend etc. There is also the option of booking a single cabin for an additional cost depending on availability at the time of booking.
Meals
When sailing with Bearing True South, you will experience a great variety of delicious food, based on traditional Greek cuisine. Emphasizing on the regional cuisine of our destinations, we can recommend carefully selected local, family run, restaurants for our groups.
On a day when a barbeque dinner is included in our itinerary, we usually buy local cheeses, vegetables, meat or fish and bread from local markets so you don't miss out on the specialities of the region. We always choose a quiet, beautiful island beach for our BBQs and you can either help with the grilling and marinating or, alternatively, you can opt to have a swim under the stars while we cook for you.
Generally meals on board the sailing yacht are included in the standard price of our tours. "Light lunch" and "breakfast" usually refers to fresh Mediterranean salads, sandwiches, omelets or fresh fruit and local cheeses. When a meal is not included feel free to ask your tour leader to suggest a local restaurant in the village or town you are staying.
For the meal plan of the tour please refer to the day to day itinerary and the extra info of the tour. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, have any food allergies or any special requests when it comes to food, please let us know at the time of booking.
The style of travel in our adventures provides us a great deal of excitement, however is dependent on several factors, such as weather, terrain conditions and technical problems of our transportation. These may create unexpected circumstances throughout our tours that we have to deal with by making minor changes to the tour itinerary or the activities included in a particular day. For that reason the described day to day itinerary is used as a guideline which gives us the flexibility to make changes when needed.
Some of the activities listed in the day to day itinerary are included in the standard tour price, while there are also optional activities at your own expense. When a guided tour at a historical/cultural site is mentioned, the costs of a professional guide is included in the standard tour price. In every outdoor activity we work with fully qualified operators whose safety track has been extensively assessed personally by us. The necessary equipment needed for every outdoor activity is always provided by the local activity operators. For your personal gear please refer to the "prepare for your trip" section below.
Please note that all activities are subject to availability, while due to the time limit in each destination, it may not be possible to do all the optional activities listed in the itinerary.
In the following list you can find the tour activities, included or optional as well as the approximate prices of the optional ones:
Activities included in the standard tour price:
Optional activities at your own expense
Historical Athens Treasure Hunt (35 euros pp)
Acropolis Hill and Parthenon (12 euros pp)
Acropolis Museum (5 euros pp)
Temple of Aphaia (4 euros pp)
Little Theater of Palaia Epidaurus (~4 euros pp)
Historic House of Lazaros Kountouriotis (~5 euros pp)
Please refer to What's included/What's not included section for the services that are included or not in the standard price of your tour. For the optional activities of our tour, outdoor activities and cultural sites' entrance fees, take a look at the Tour Activities.
Tipping Your Tour Leader/Local Guides
In appreciation to the outstanding quality of services provided throughout your adventure, you may also consider tipping your Tour Leader and Local guides. Although tipping is not compulsory and it may not be customary to you, it works as a kind voluntary gesture to the people who will guide you throughout your adventure.
Spending Money
Each traveller is different when it comes to spending money while travelling. Take your spending habits and requirements into account and prepare your tour budget allowing for food, drinks, souvenirs and participation in activities not included in the tour price.
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Greece. You can exchange your currency for Euros at the airports or in major towns. Cash may also be drawn for ATMs available in most of our destinations. Credit cards are widely accepted in Greece. However, you should always have some cash on you, as in some remote villages no ATMs may be available.
At Bearing True South, we operate "Land Only" based adventures. This means that flights to Greece are not included in the tour price. Travellers are responsible to make their own travel arrangements and make sure that they will be able to join the group at the joining point and time announced when booking, as described at the overview of the tour. Please note that the finishing point of the tour is always the same as the joining point
Our "Land Only" adventures provide you the flexibility to join one of our tours as part of longer holiday in Greece. You may spend a couple of days before or after your tour in Athens or even visit another Greek region, combining adventure, leisure and rest.
In Athens, you may also consider joining one of our day activities. Take a dive at one of Greece's numerous wreck sites, easily accessible from downtown Athens, or participate in our Historical Athens Treasure Hunt, a 'walk-through-history' game around Athens.
Health Information/ Travel Insurance
Bearing true South travellers are required to be in good physical health in order to be able to participate in one of our adventures. Please read through the day to day itinerary carefully and take into account the "Level of Difficulty" icon that appears on each one of our adventures, before booking your place.
If for any reason you are not able to participate in activities included in the tour itinerary, please inform us before booking. For any other important health issue please don?t hesitate to contact your tour leader.
Travellers with Bearing True South are required to hold valid travel insurance, covering a minimum medical expenses due to accident or sickness and 3rd party liability. We strongly advise you to ensure that your insurance covers you for all outdoor activities you intend to participate in during your adventure. There might be an additional charge for certain ones. Your travel insurance needs to be evident when you join our tours.
Visa Information
Holding a valid passport and visa in order to visit Greece is your responsibility. Generally EU citizens or citizens of Member-States of the Schengen Agreement do not need to display a visa in order to travel to Greece.
Visas are not required by holders of valid passports from the following non-E.U. countries if they want to visit Greece and remain in the country for up to 3 months (90 days): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Israel, Monaco, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein
For travellers not coming from the above countries, please contact your local Greek embassy/consulate for visa information. Please also note that most countries expect you to have at least 6 months validity on your passport in order to be issued a visa.
Before you travel, we encourage you to learn about the region you'll explore while on a tour. From local weather conditions to information on geography, local history and culture, all are essential in order to make the most out of you tour, while minimizing the possibility to face unexpected, unpleasant circumstances.
Weather Information
Greece in general has warm and humid summers lasting from May till October. In May and October weather can be less predictable with some rain and chilly temperatures being possible especially in the Greek mainland. Greek summers are generally hot, with temperatures rarely getting lower than 25 degrees Celsius in most of our destinations, while temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius during the day are not unheard of in July and August. In the open sea, weather can be tough to predict all year round, but in the summer the seas are generally calm and ideal for sailing. Generally, cool temperatures and occasional rainfalls occur especially at night, a fact that you have to take into account when packing for your adventure.
Packing for your tour
Space is limited on board so, while on one of our sailing trips, you are expected to bring with you a backpack or suitcase that you should keep as light as possible, as well as a daypack for your personal items and valuables.
Travel documents: Passport, visa if required, valid travel insurance
Personal health care items: personal medication, sunscreen, insect repellent, travel sickness tablets, sunglasses, insect bite gel
Clothing/walking/swimming gear (depending on the season and tour): waterproof & windproof jacket, sun hat, long trousers (wearing shorts is not permitted in monasteries and churches), shorts, swimming costume,extra towel for swimming, t-shirts, hooded tops, trainers/walking shoes, personal mattress or a sleeping bag (should you choose to sleep on the yacht's sundeck), torch, snorkelling mask and fins.
If our dates don't suit your plans, or if you want to experience one of our adventures with your family or group of friends, we can arrange a private tour just for you on the dates that suit you, based on one of our existing itineraries.
Furthermore, with a minimum number of 4 participants, all of our tours can be customised as far as date of departure, activities and itinerary are concerned, according to your group's requirements. For groups of less than 4 travellers, standard tour prices are subject to change. In that case, please contact us in order to get a new quote.
For more information don't hesitate to contact us with your ideas at : sales@bearingtruesouth.com and we'll get back to you shortly with detailed information and pricing.
Duration: 9 days
Level of Difficulty: 2/5
Group Size: minimum 4 persons - maximum 8 persons per yacht
Ages: 8 years and older, younger kids travel at their parents' discretion and responsibility
Accommodation: 7 nights sailing yacht cabin / 1 night 3* Hotel
Meals : 7 breakfasts, 4 light lunches (days 4,5,6 and 8), 2 BBQ dinners (days 3 and 7), 1 restaurant dinner (day 1)
Transport: Sailing boat rental costs, all electricity and water port costs, petrol costs, Airport transfers, Transfers from/to the marina
Tour Staff: Bearing True South tour leader, Bearing True South skipper, local guides
Tour activities: Pirate themed Treasure Hunt Game
Airline tickets
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Optional activities as listed in 'tour activities'