ATHENS - CYCLADES - ATHENS
Day 1 - Athens – Kea
An exceptionally picturesque island. On the south side of Nikolaos Bay - which was a pirate stronghold in the 13th c. - is the little port of Korissia, built on the side of ancient Korissia. There are remains of the ancient town walls and a Sanctuary of Apollo. The famous lion - carved from the native rock in the 6th c. BCE - can be seen just north-east of Kea town. Another highlight is the beautiful anchorage of Poleis. Vourkari is a small bay with many traditional taverns, small shops and bars and is certainly worth a visit.
Day 2 - Syros
The capital of the Cyclades group of islands. Its central situation makes it the principal centre of administration, commerce and fisheries in the Cyclades and a focal point of the shipping routes in the Central Aegean. For a sailing holiday, there are several good bays to anchor: Varis in the south and Delfino, Megas Lakkos & Kini along the west coast. Syros is also famous for the local sweet named loukoumi, its traditional restaurants and the cultural events that take place every summer.
Day 3 - Mykonos
The most popular island of Cyclades Group, famous for the international jet set visitors and the celebrating atmosphere which is overarching the island. A very active night-life in combination with beautiful beaches and excellent restaurants.
Chora, as the town of Mykonos is commonly known, casts its spell on the visitor with its beautiful position, scale and architecture. A little further, on a low hill, the windmills, having stood for centuries, compose a picture of unparalleled beauty in combination with red domes and bell towers of the countless churches.
The shores from gulfs that penetrate deeply into the lands. The most important gulfs are one of the Panormou and of Ornou.
Day 4 - Naxos
One of the biggest islands of Cyclades. The old town – market, the Venetian castle, the church of Panagia Mirtidiotissa are only a few of the many things that Naxos has to offer to the visitors. It is an island with impressive mountainous landscapes with many isolated traditional villages and some of Europe’s most beautiful golden sandy beaches.
Day 5 - Paros
Considered as one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. Three bays cut deep inland - in the west the sheltered Paroikia Bay, with the island's capital that serves as the main sailing port. In the north the bay which shelters the little town of Naoussa, which in Roman times was the island's main port for the shipment of Lychnites marble; and in the east the flat Marmara bay.
Paros is also known in Greece for its ideal weather conditions for windsurfing.
Day 6 - Sifnos
The principal port on Sifnos is Kamares, which is very well sheltered. From there, roads lead to must-see places along the coast. There are also many beautiful anchorages and should really be visited by boat. The medieval village of Kastro - with remnants of its ancient walls - but also the bays of Faros, Vathi and Platis Gialos are absolutely worth exploring: translucent turquoise water, combined with good taverns. The best restaurants can be found in Apollonia.
Day 7 - Kythnos
An unspoiled island. The coast is much indented - with many beautiful anchorages and ports - and for the most part, falls steeply down to the sea. The two charming inland villages, Chora (Kythnos town) and the lively little Dryopis, can best be visited by scooter or bike. The two main ports are Merichas and Loutra. Merchants - only minutes sailing away from the oddly shaped Sandbar Bay - is the smaller of the two. Loutra on the north-east has a new harbour providing the best protection from the Meltemi on the island.
Day 8 - Athens
The Capital of Greece. Within the sprawling city of Athens, it is easy to imagine the golden age of Greece when Pericles had the Parthenon (the most eminent monument of the ancient Greek architecture) built. Athens is built around the Acropolis and the pinnacled crag of Mt. Lycabettus, which the goddess Athena was said to have dropped from the heavens as a bulwark to defend the city. The suburbs have covered the barren plain in all directions and the city is packed with lively taverns and bustling shops.