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Cruising holiday in the Aegean

country:Greece
departures:2009: 26 Jul, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Oct
2010: 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Oct
price:From £729 - £799 (8 days) including flights from UK. Minimum age 6 years. Land only & independent family prices available
read 1 travellers review
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the amazing things you'll be doing
The Aegean Island of Evia remains refreshingly untouched despite being close to Athens.
For those who are nostalgic for the Greece of yesteryear, this is the ideal place to visit. Between exploring remote coves, sandy beaches, a spectacular fjord, and exclusive private islands, there is always plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling, or sunbathing on deck.

We take (optional) excursions each day into the surrounding countryside, hiking to typical old white-washed villages, as well as visiting the ruins and ancient buildings for which Greece is justly renowned.

Our boat is a comfortable, traditionally built Greek caique (promounced cay-eekee) made of pinewood. 20 metres long and 6 metres wide, it is twin-masted with three sails, although we will normally be powered by 320Hp engine. All cabins are compact with private facilities - there are 6 twin cabins below deck and 2 twin cabins on the main deck. The crew have their own separate quarters. There is a modern kitchen and a dining room with hi-fi and television. There is ample room to relax and stretch out on the sun deck with mats provided. Part of the deck will be shaded.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Depart London. Arrive Athens; ferry to Karystos.
Day 2:To peaceful Porto Lafia for swimming off the boat. On to Panagia, a delightful fishing village at the end of a scenic fjord.
Day 3:Cruise to Eretria; optional visit to historical capital of island - Halkis.
Day 4:Optional visit to Eretria's museum and ancient ruins; cruise to secluded lagoon of Porto Buffalo. Afternoon free to relax and visit tiny village.
Day 5:Cruise to lively Styra, an ideal place for seafood lovers. Optional drive to east coast of Evia and Limonias Bay.
Day 6:To the exclusive private isles of Petali, once the summer residence of the Greek Royal Family. To Marmari on southern shore; optional walk to sand bar of Zastani.
Day 7:Cruise to Karystos, scenically situated beneath Mt Ochi. Optional visit to Venetian fortress of Castello Rosso and nearby lush villages.
Day 8:Morning free for swimming and shopping. Transfer to Athens, fly to London.
travellers' tales
The whole being-on-a-boat experience was fantastic. Relatively rough and ready, exhilarating and good old fashioned fun. (more)
award winner
This tourism business won an awardin our 2004 Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical, Magazine of the Royal Geographical Society



how this holiday makes a difference
As a part of our continued commitment to responsible tourism, we operate this trip in a way that aims to reduce impacts and to give as much back as possible to the local communities. This trip is based on a converted, traditional Greek fishing boat that is owned and operated by a local family from the island of Evia. Our trip directly contributes economically to the local community as locally produced and sourced goods are bought for the boat. In addition to this we eat in small cafes and local tavernas and this again helps the local communities benefit economically. This trip we believe has a low environmental impact and puts a little bit back into rural local communities so helping sustain local rural lifestyles.

We have had an excellent long-term relationship with the operator and this helps to stabilise their income generation and so helps to create a more sustainable future. We use local leaders who are committed to responsible tourism and helping to preserve the way of life in their area. We limit the maximum number to 12 due to the size of the boat. This we believe reduces the impact on the local communities and the environment.

We have at our offices worked to reduce our carbon footprint through a reduction of energy use and energy conservation measures. We also actively reduce the waste produced by having active reduction and recycling policies in place. We run annual staff workshops on Responsible Tourism. Global warming is a reality and to help you make a difference by reducing the carbon dioxide that is produced when you travel we offer a chance to carbon balance your flights. We encourage all our clients to do this and do so for all our staff travel. Go on do your bit!

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