Rebecca Coker review 28 Apr 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This is difficult to pin down. Was it seeing the dolphins (twice) or the spontaneous Greek dancing in a cafe on Amorgos?
Or perhaps the weather or the company of our hosts and the other guests.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with the flow - Soiris and Annie know ALL the best places!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely, all the places we ate in and bought food, water or gifts from were owned by the people who lived on each island and whilst on the boat we participated (minimally I admit) in gathering information on the pods of dolphins we saw.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10 based on the companionship, weather, knowledge and sheer good fun that was had by both of us during this holiday.
Lawrence Holden review 31 Oct 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The special quality of the experience made this a memorable holiday. Although the Cyclades are popular islands for holiday makers we felt that we were privileged to have a really personal experience on some of the smaller islands. The random nature of the voyage and experiences of small harbours and off the beaten track hill villages took us back to an earlier age- before mass tourism.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack light! We overpacked with warm weather clothes!
Learn about the long history of the entire Mediterranean Sea.
Buy local and enjoy the delicious local foods.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The operator were careful to spread our custom around especially to the lesser known and more remote places in need of the extra income. This added to the quality and variety of what we ate!
The journey itself was of very low environmental impact and the team clearly had done a wide range of environmentally sound and sustaining work especially in relation to under-water issues.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
First-rate. A great and memorable experience. It also introduced us well to the people of these smaller islands and their way of life. Happy to recommend strongly.
Janet Grimwade review 21 Aug 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It is hard to pick one thing... I have a long list... so here are the Top 2! One night we went swimming off the boat and saw stars in the water. It wasn't a reflection of the sky but light that tiny sea creatures gave out when we touched them. When we came out of the water it seemed that we were sparkling too! Another day we stopped for a drink at a taverna in the hills of Amorgos. We sat outside in the narrow street. At first there were just a few of us, then some musicians came along and started to play. More chairs were brought out, more and more people came. Soon the line of chairs was all along the street. It was such a lovely gathering, like being with friends who suddenly decided to have a party.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
To travel very light as there is limited storage space and to take covered walking shoes with good soles as some of the paths are rugged.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the operator is helping to support communities as they took us to some remote places – one island had only about 100 inhabitants and some were only accessible by boat or by infrequent ferries. They took us to local tavernas and cafés and suggested somewhere to stay for our second week, so we were felt that we were supporting small businesses. I think the environmental impact was limited as we were sailing most of the time and were careful about recycling and using water economically. The operator was also monitoring wildlife and looking for any changes in the marine environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It is like being on holiday with friends who share their favourite places with you and introduce you to their friends. It was lovely not to feel like a tourist and see places as they really are. A rare and very special holiday!
Sarah Phillips review 26 Oct 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Memorable moments for me included swimming in the sea, eating the delicious home- cooked food on Amorgos, and the beautiful beaches on Koufonissi.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack light!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We went at low season, as the tavernas were starting to close and people on the
islands were returning to Athens. Because our skipper and walking guide had
friends on every island people were really happy to open up especially for us.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I had a great holiday, I'd rate it very highly. I met some interesting people,
saw some beautiful sights and had a great time learning to sail, walking up
mountains and relaxing on deck.
diane barrett review 15 Oct 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The day we spent walking on Amorgos to the Monastery was fantastic. The scenery throughout the walk was superb.
Each evening we ate at a local taverna which was recommended by Annie and Sortiras, which meant at each island there was a
change in the food,
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The walks are moderate and I would advise closed shoes as the paths can be rough with thorny plants. They advise to pack light and you do need to. Space on the boat is limited and other than walking clothes and a change for the evening you don,t need much more. There is a " bare foot" policy on the boat so a pair of flip flops is useful for slipping on when getting off the boat. You do need to be reasonably fit, as I would describe the walks as moderate and you have to get on and off the boat up gangplanks and over the side.
Remember that it is a yacht so if there is no wind you cannot sail so need to be flexible, we walked a full day and sailed a full day
rather than half and half.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we ate at local restaurants/ tavernas which served locally sourced food and were encouraged to buy goods as required in each place.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great fun, we had a good group and Annie makes the whole thing work. We met really nice local people who opened up simply to serve us food even though the season was over.
