Learn to sail a yacht in Greece, The Ionian Sea
| country: | Greece |
| location: | Ionian Sea |
| trip type: | A sun and sail holiday |
| departures: | 2010: 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct |
| price: | From £795 - £1895 (14 nights) including flights from the UK and transfers. Training courses not included. Price depends on departure, yacht type and number in party. 20% discount for children under 14. This trip can also be booked without flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
check out similar holiday ideas...
| Holiday Details |  3 reviews |
Learn to sail a yacht in Greece, The Ionian Sea
The Ionian sun and sail holiday is ideal for those wishing to combine a week' s dinghy sailing, windsurfing and mountain biking from our base with a week sailing on flotilla in the Southern Ionian.
Complete beginners to yacht sailing can also join us during the first week where you will learn to sail a yacht before you join the flotilla for the second week.
The Ionian is one of the Mediterranean's most popular yachting destinations with gentle breezes and picturesque islands and sheltered harbours offering the perfect introduction to sailing.
PLEASE NOTE: This holiday can be booked with or without flights. Flights are available from the following UK airports: Gatwick and Manchester. When enquiring for further details it would be very helpful if you could let us know how many people in your party.
Flotilla starts and finishes alternate with Mourtos, further north up the coast, where a small village with a selection of restaurants acts as a great base in this largely undiscovered area of the Ionian. The Southern Ionian is ideal for the less experienced sailor due to its sheltered waters and generally shorter routes, whilst the Northern Ionian offers more adventurous sailing with longer passages, less crowded waters and steady breezes.
Week 1 - Living Ashore. During this week, you stay in one of our seafront hotels - you can either learn to sail a yacht on the 4 day Introduction to Yachting course, brush up on your skills, join our beach based activities or just relax by the pool.
Week 2 - On Flotilla. After your initial week of activity or relaxation you will be ready to join your yacht and embark upon your week on flotilla. You and your friends or family have a broad choice of yachts, all offering a floating base from which to enjoy the second exciting week of your holiday. If you have just completed your yacht training, you’ll be pleased to know our lead crew will be particularly sympathetic to your experience level and will be happy to encourage and assist you. Our lead crew endeavour to reach each evening’s destination before you, so the finer points of mooring in each new location can be explained to you by our skipper, before our mate shows you to the best local restaurants.
Ideal for:
Those who have always wanted to try yachting but have never known where to start. If you follow the 'Introduction to Yachting' course in the first week then you will be sufficiently experienced to sail your own yacht in the second. The lead crew will be on hand to offer help and advice if needed.
Those who haven't sailed for a while and are feeling a bit rusty. Refresh your skills with our 'Brush Up' course to increase your confidence for the second week. Combine this with windsurfing, biking or dinghy sailing which can either be pre booked or organised in resort (subject to availability).
Experienced sailors who want the best of both worlds. Enjoy the full benefits of our shorebased Active holidays in the first week or alternatively relax and enjoy the comfortable hotels' pools and grounds or explore the nearby towns and villages. If you haven't got two weeks to spare or would like to try yacht sailing out before committing to a holiday, why not do your training before the holiday? We can provide all the pre flotilla courses on our yachts in Brighton.
Please note: we require a minimum of 2 people per booking for these trips.
We offer the highest specification flotilla boats on the market and operate a lead crew and support service second to none. All of our boats have been built and specifically modified for Mediterranean sailing with aft cockpits, headsail roller reefing, electric anchor windlasses, holding tanks and bathing ladders. Showers, cockpit cushions and sun awnings provide essential comfort with biminis fitted to all boats. Comprehensive safety equipment is inspected every year and we add VHF radios for further security, ensuring we always surpass the most stringent of safety standards.
May/ Jun: Brilliant sun, warm seas (20-22ºC), pleasant air temperatures, warmer nights. Regular north west winds start. Great time to travel, before the peak season rush.
Jul-mid Sep: Hot sun, warm seas and regular north west winds. May, September and the first half of October tend to be the driest months.
Late Sep-Nov: Warm, sun not so intense, sea at its warmest (up to 22-24ºC) and cooler evenings. North west winds become sporadic. Unsettled periods possible.
Winds: 'Meltemi' winds dominate the summer season. These north westerlies are persistent and reliable, starting mid June and continuing through to mid/ end September. Outside the windy season the Meltemi becomes less frequent, and is more likely to be upset by a spell of unsettled weather, which causes the winds to blow from any direction.
Complete beginners to yacht sailing can also join us during the first week where you will learn to sail a yacht before you join the flotilla for the second week.
The Ionian is one of the Mediterranean's most popular yachting destinations with gentle breezes and picturesque islands and sheltered harbours offering the perfect introduction to sailing.
PLEASE NOTE: This holiday can be booked with or without flights. Flights are available from the following UK airports: Gatwick and Manchester. When enquiring for further details it would be very helpful if you could let us know how many people in your party.
Flotilla starts and finishes alternate with Mourtos, further north up the coast, where a small village with a selection of restaurants acts as a great base in this largely undiscovered area of the Ionian. The Southern Ionian is ideal for the less experienced sailor due to its sheltered waters and generally shorter routes, whilst the Northern Ionian offers more adventurous sailing with longer passages, less crowded waters and steady breezes.
- Beginner and intermediate sailors
- Light winds, generally north west, force 2-4
- Stunning sailing scenery
- Short transfer
- Singles, couples, groups and families
Sun and sail holidays
A week spent ashore before a week afloat offers the perfect formula for yachting beginners or anyone looking for more than just a flotilla holiday. A variety of options allow you to tailor your own mix of flotilla sailing with yacht training, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking, sightseeing or simply relaxing. Week 1 - Living Ashore. During this week, you stay in one of our seafront hotels - you can either learn to sail a yacht on the 4 day Introduction to Yachting course, brush up on your skills, join our beach based activities or just relax by the pool.
Week 2 - On Flotilla. After your initial week of activity or relaxation you will be ready to join your yacht and embark upon your week on flotilla. You and your friends or family have a broad choice of yachts, all offering a floating base from which to enjoy the second exciting week of your holiday. If you have just completed your yacht training, you’ll be pleased to know our lead crew will be particularly sympathetic to your experience level and will be happy to encourage and assist you. Our lead crew endeavour to reach each evening’s destination before you, so the finer points of mooring in each new location can be explained to you by our skipper, before our mate shows you to the best local restaurants.
Ideal for:
Please note: we require a minimum of 2 people per booking for these trips.
yacht types
Beneteau 361 - Beneteau 393 - Moody S38 - Beneteau 331 - Beneteau 343 - Beneteau 373 -Sun Odysey 292 - Moody S 31 - Oceanis 320 - Dufour 325 - Dufour 34 (2 cabin) - Dufour 34 (3 cabin)We offer the highest specification flotilla boats on the market and operate a lead crew and support service second to none. All of our boats have been built and specifically modified for Mediterranean sailing with aft cockpits, headsail roller reefing, electric anchor windlasses, holding tanks and bathing ladders. Showers, cockpit cushions and sun awnings provide essential comfort with biminis fitted to all boats. Comprehensive safety equipment is inspected every year and we add VHF radios for further security, ensuring we always surpass the most stringent of safety standards.
weather
Late Apr/ May: Good English summer temperatures arrive; unsettled weather becomes infrequent, winds are still fitful. Nights still cool. May/ Jun: Brilliant sun, warm seas (20-22ºC), pleasant air temperatures, warmer nights. Regular north west winds start. Great time to travel, before the peak season rush.
Jul-mid Sep: Hot sun, warm seas and regular north west winds. May, September and the first half of October tend to be the driest months.
Late Sep-Nov: Warm, sun not so intense, sea at its warmest (up to 22-24ºC) and cooler evenings. North west winds become sporadic. Unsettled periods possible.
Winds: 'Meltemi' winds dominate the summer season. These north westerlies are persistent and reliable, starting mid June and continuing through to mid/ end September. Outside the windy season the Meltemi becomes less frequent, and is more likely to be upset by a spell of unsettled weather, which causes the winds to blow from any direction.
traveller reviews for Learn to sail a yacht in Greece, The Ionian Sea
We felt we had been away for more than two weeks as we transferred to the second centre for the Flotilla week, the most exciting moment of the Flotilla was sailing with dolphins swimming under our bow and then jumping out of the water and talking to us. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
|
The very nature of our yachting holidays involves our guests visiting different out-of-the-way places each day, places which enjoy the extra revenue generated by our visits that they might not otherwise expect to benefit from. Shopping for groceries and eating out at the local tavernas in each port of call is an integral part of the social aspect of our holidays.
We recognise that we operate our yachting holidays in pristine marine environments and we understand the importance of conserving them for future generations. All our yachts are supplied with a handbook which contains tips for our guests on how to help conserve the unspoiled locations they love to sail in. All our old oil is siphoned into cans to avoid any possibility of spillage. Where possible, all materials are reused in some way, for example, old yacht ropes become mooring lines for dinghies and old sailcloth is made into laundry bags or car covers, even old uniforms are used for cleaning engines. Approximately three quarters of our yacht spares are sourced locally. Not only does this benefit the local economy, it cuts down the transport miles and all the associated impacts that go with that aspect of importation. In addition to sourcing standard spares items, we are also working with local suppliers to supply some of our more specific needs such as customised flags and other branded items. We register all our yachts to fly under the flag of the countries in which we operate. While this can be an expensive process, (albeit benefiting the local economy) it ensures our compliance with local legislation, which in turn helps cement good relations with local authorities, essential for the smooth running and risk management of our operations. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
 Reviewed 02 Sep 2008 by Lynsey Newbery |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This holiday was one of the most enjoyable holidays we have been on, we made friends and my teenage son had ball at the retreat hotel at Sivota. We felt we had been away for more than two weeks as we transferred to the second centre for the Flotilla week, the most exciting moment of the Flotilla was sailing with dolphins swimming under our bow and then jumping out of the water and talking to us.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't take lots of stuff in August you don't need it, there is a good laundry service in the Retreat in Sivota and you can get most of your things clean for the second week. When you go on Flotilla just check that the foot pump fits your tender (blow up boat) we ended up swimming to shore.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The hotel in Sivota did use solar energy and we did go into the town, I would have liked to see more locals employed in the hotel. On Flotilla we tried to shop locally in each port we entered. On the Island of Kastos where there are 30 inhabitants and 4 Tavernas we tried very hard to spread our purchases between everyone.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the best family holidays we have been on, our kids enjoyed meeting lots of new people and we all just loved the area and the environment.
| Reviewed 27 Oct 2008 by Nathan Williams | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Anchoring in a bay off Lefcada without the sailing instructor for a dip. Also, managing to catch fish for dinner on our two nights with the flotilla!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Let the sailing instructor know a day in advance if you would rather have a picnic lunch than go to a taverna.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Loved every moment.
| Reviewed 25 Aug 2008 by Jon Morrell | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The sailing, fantastic fun. We'd never done any sailing before but after the 4 day introductory course felt well in control to take a boat out ourselves. Wonderful holiday. In the past I've tended to stay in fairly close touch with work whilst away but sailing demands your attention all the time and consequently I've had less contact this holiday and I've found this one of the most relaxing holidays for a long time.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
One night on flotilla we stopped for a beach picnic in the evening. Great fun, but it does get very very dark when you’re anchored in a bay that has no lighting, worth taking a lantern, rather than just using the torch provided on board the yacht.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Sailing, using the elements (wind) to have a great time and of course stocking up with provisions is aiding the local economy.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, would love to do it again.
check out similar holiday ideas...
responsiblevacation.com
iknowagreatplace.com
responsibletourismawards.com