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. During the first part of this adventure, sailing 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. Sail along the Peloponnesian coast, visit three major islands along the way, explore superb swimming and snorkelling locations and savor amazing food. The second part of the adventure takes you deep into the mountains of Arcadia in the Peloponnese. From the mountainous and densely forested region of Arcadia to the relaxed and gorgeous seafront city of Nafplion and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, you will experience the warm hospitality and local cuisine of the traditional settlements scattered across the Peloponnesian land. A multi activity adventure designed for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, that perfectly combines sailing in the Aegean Sea with exploring the very best of the Greek mainland.
Trip Highlights
Our meeting point is the marina in Athens where our sailboats are docked. Early afternoon we board our sailing boat that will be our home for the first 4 days of the trip. We leave the marina behind us and sail south, where the island of Poros awaits, one of the most charming and authentic islands of the Saronikos Gulf. Poros is tiny, easy to explore on foot and it is a place of rich history that spans over two millennia. We arrive there late afternoon with plenty of time to explore the island. A guided tour will take you to the clocktower, Poros's famous landmark, for some amazing views of the bay, though cobblestone alleys. Flower covered, whitewashed 18th century homes, friendly locals, 14th century chappels and some amazing sunset views make Poros an excellent introduction to the Saronic Gulf
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
In the morning, after breakfast, we sail southeast to the stunningly beautiful Hydra, where we will arrive late morning.
Hydra is the most prosperous island in the region and the epicenter of many naval battles during the Greek wars of independence. The excellent Naval Museum introduces you to our nation's medieval history and is highly recommended!
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, cool coffee shops right on the water, historic 16-18th century mansions, a medieval fort, as well as vivid nightlife, provide us with countless options for entertainment and sightseeing on our guided walking tour of the island.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Self service breakfast on the sailboat
After breakfast, we sail further south to the tiny island of Dokos. Dokos is pretty much uninhabited, unless you count a handful of Greek Orthdox monks and their livestock. It is also the site of the oldest underwater shipwreck known to man, dating back to 2500BC. Not much remains of the wreck nowadays but swimming and snorkelling opportunities abound, so take advantage of that!
Further south, off the Peloponnesian coast, lies the evergreen island of Spetses, our destination for the day. Besides its rich history, aristocratic past and its prominent role in the Greek war of independence, Spetses boasts some of the best restaurants in the south of Greece, as well as some stunningly beautiful beaches.
Overnight: Cabin aboard the sailing boat
Meals included: Self service breakfast on the sailboat
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In the morning we set sails west of Spetses towards the eastern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula and the seaside town of Leonidio where we board our minivan and start the second part of our adventure, the exploration of the mainland!
Separated from the North part of the country by the Gulf of Corinth, surrounded by the Aegean Archipelago on the east and the Ionian on the west, Peloponnese, the southernmost part of the Greek mainland will be our playground for the rest of our trip.
In Leonidio, you will have plenty of time to unwind, get your lunch and have a last swim before we start driving west towards the region of Arcadia and the village of Vytina, our destination for the day.
Overnight: Traditional Hotel in Vytina
Meals included: Self service breakfast on the sailboat
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After a hearty breakfast, we set out to explore the traditional mountain settlements of Arcadia as well as hike the famous Menalon Trail. 75 km long in total, the Menalon trail is the only internationally certified hiking trail in Greece and one of the Leading Quality Trails - Best in Europe.
We start with a morning stroll around the narrow alleys of the village of Dimitsana and head towards the Lousios River Gorge. A stunning landscape, surrounded by the mountains of Central Peloponnese, Lousios Gorge is the ultimate hiker's playground.
Along the dense forest surrounding the Lousios river, a part of Menalon Trail will lead us to the Byzantine monasteries, Moni Prodromou and Moni Philosofou, built on the steep rocks overlooking the river banks.
Before we get back to Vytina, we stop at the village of Stemnitsa, a mountain village in the pristine fir tree forest of Mount Menalon.
Overnight: Traditional Hotel in Vytina
Meals included: Breakfast
Continuing our drive west, our first stop for the day is the Nemea valley that boasts 3500 years of winemaking history. We visit a vineyard there, where you get to taste a great variety of wines, native to the region.
In the afternoon, we arrive at the east coast of the Peloponnese and the seaside town of Nafplio, modern Greece's first capital and arguably the most charming town in southern Greece.
Nafplio has a great number of attractions, including an island fortress, a medieval castle, historical museums and byzantine churches, as well as a great promenade that takes you to 3 isolated bays that are perfect for swimming throughout the year.
The food scene is great in Nafplio and we encourage you to ask your guide to recommend places while there.
You could also opt to take a short boat ride to the island fort of Bourtzi or hike up to the Palamidi Castle for some panoramic views of both the town and bay. Plenty of time for everything on our guided walking tour.
Overnight: Traditional Hotel in Nafplion
Meals included: Breakfast
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Our last stop on our way back to Athens is Epidaurus, a small fishing village surrounded by orange and olive groves. Due to its strategic location it was one of the most important harbors in ancient times and a Unesco World Heritage site today.
Epidaurus is home to the Ancient Greece's most important theatre which is 2350 year old. The theatre of Epidaurus is the birthplace of comedy and tragedy and one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.
Once there you will get to visit the archaeological site and the museum before we board our van and head back to Athens where we arrive later that afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast
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.
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.
Contact for information and pricing on our 2024 departures at info@bearingtruesouth.com
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: 7 days
Level of Difficulty: 2/5
Group Size: minimum 4 persons - maximum 6 persons per yacht
Ages: 12 years and older, younger kids travel at their parents' discretion and responsibility
Accommodation: Sailboat charter for 4 days, Accommodation for up to 6 guests in double cabins, 2 nights at a traditional hotel in Vytina in double/twin rooms, 1 night at a traditional hotel in Nafplion in double/twin rooms
Meals: All Breakfasts
Transport: Sailing boat rental costs, all electricity and water port costs, fuel costs, port authorities and marina fees, minivan rental costs, Van fuel costs, tolls
Tour Staff: Bearing True South tour leader, Bearing True South skipper, local guides when needed
Tour activities: Swimming, snorkeling, Hiking Menalon Trail, Wine tasting tour in Nemea, Guided walking tour of Poros, Guided walking tour of Hydra, Guided walking tour of Spetses, Guided walking tour of Nafplion
All taxes including VAT
Airline tickets to/from Athens
Transfers to/from the marina arranged if needed at an extra fee
Entrance fee and optional guided tour at the archaeological sites of Palamidi in Nafplio or the Ancient theatre of Epidaurus
Meals not listed in the inclusions
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Optional activities as listed in 'tour activities'
Local transport (such as taxis or buses on the islands)
Tips and Gratuities