Greek Cruise and Island Walking

Over View

Explore Evia on this walking and cruise trip joining Captain Thanos on board his traditional Greek sailing boat. Cruise to beautiful bays and small harbours, with walks to hillside villages, through olive groves and to ancient sites.

Panagia – Walk in the hills above this beautiful fjord
Swim and Snorkel – From the boat in the warm, azure waters of the Aegean
Traditional Greek food – Enjoy the delicious regional cuisine on board and at waterside tavernas

Itinerary

Day 1 Join trip at Athens International Airport and transfer to caique on Evia

Our trip begins at Athens International Airport (ATH) at 6.30pm. The latest your flight can arrive is therefore 5.50pm. We will travel together as a group by bus to the port of Rafina or Marathon where we catch a ferry to the island of Evia. On arrival it is a short taxi or minibus ride to Karystos where our caique is moored. Before settling into our cabins we meet our friendly boat crew and enjoy a welcome drink.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may have time to wait ahead of our group transfer to Evia this evening. You can make the most of this time by taking the opportunity to explore the nearby city of Athens, which is easily accessible from the airport on regular metro trains – the signage is in English and no changes of train are required. There are also luggage storage facilities available at the airport.

The MV Isidoros II is a traditional family-owned wooden caique with just eight guest cabins that we exclusively charter. The caique is listed as a historic vessel and there are fewer than 80 of this iconic Greek designed boat left in existence, so being able to stay aboard is a real treat. It was built in 1962 and was originally used as a cargo ferry before being converted in 1974 to the comfortable passenger cruiser it is today.

Our boat has a large sundeck and a comfortable galley for meals. There is a bar where you can purchase a range of local wine and beer, spirits and soft drinks. There is also a boat ladder and snorkelling equipment available on board to make the most of the many swimming opportunities. All of the cosy cabins are en suite with windows and large fans and there is complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Our boat has a real home from home feel and you are free to move around as you please. You can even choose to sleep on deck under the stars if you wish to enjoy the clear night sky and cool night breeze.

Evia is one of the largest Greek islands, but still remains off of the main tourist trail. In summer and on the weekends you’ll find the main visitors are the Greek’s leaving the city of Athens to enjoy the waterfront tavernas and uncrowded beaches. Visiting Evia is therefore a very authentic local experience. The rugged coastline is dotted with market towns, fishing villages, secluded coves and wide sandy beaches. The sea is clear and warm, making it a wonderful spot to swim and snorkel. The pine covered hills provide the perfect backdrop and also help to keep the evenings temperatures cooler.

Please note that the order of the itinerary and inclusions may vary due to weather and cruising conditions.

Day 2 Enjoy a day relaxing and swimming from the boat en route to Panagia

Today we travel towards the Archipelagos of Petali, where seven private and exclusive islands offer the best of the ‘Jet Set’ in the Aegean. Once the summer residence of the Greek Royal family, today it is the playground of the Picasso family, the Embiricos family and other shipping tycoons. Maria Calas spent many summers here. We will have opportunities to swim from the boat throughout the day before arriving in Panagia, via the Fjord of Almyropotamos. Here we will visit the beautifully frescoed church and take a look at some of the 2500 year old olive trees.

Day 3 Walking around Panagia

Panagia is a small, traditional fishing village lying in the shelter of a fjord. From the harbour we drive up country lanes and tracks first to the village of Zarakes and then Argyro (400 m), where the tiny red-roofed houses are dwarfed by the mountains above. From here we descend to the coastal hamlet of Agios Dimitrios and walk back along the coastal road to Panagia. This afternoon cruise to Eretria, one of the best well known cities of ancient Greece, the birthplace of our alphabet – wrongly named Latin.

Today’s 10 kilometre walk is expected to take around four hours with 400 meters ascent and descent.

Day 4 Visit Eretria Archaeological Site and Museum; walk to the summit of Castelli Hill

Today we visit the local archaeological site and museum then climb up along the forest path to the summit of Castelli HIll (120 m) and discover the remains of the ancient acropolis there. Later we descend back to the port to enjoy our evening on the long cosmopolitan promenade of the town watching the small ferries coming and going to the mainland. Cruise to Nea Styra, an area of stunning beaches and coastline.

Today’s five kilometre walk is expected to take around three hours with 120 meters ascent and descent.

Day 5 Visit the Dragon House and return to boat via the Valley of Styra

This morning we take a transfer to the start of our walk in the rolling hills above the small summer resort, by the stone prehistoric ‘Dragon Houses’ (400 m). From here we walk down ancient paths and through olive groves to the Valley of Styra and back to the harbour. As the sun sets cruise to Marmari.

Today’s 10 kilometre walk is expected to take around four hours with 400 meters ascent and descent.

Day 6 Walk from Kampos to Marmari

Today we take a transfer to the start of our walk in the village of Kampos where the vineyards of the island grow. From here we walk round the headland of Lycorema to Marmari on local paths, through agricultural land. Marmari is a small port and fishing village with small tavernas and cafes dotted along the waterfront. In the afternoon we will sail around the headland to Karystos.

Today’s 10 kilometre walk is expected to take around four hours with no noticeable ascent or descent.

Day 7 Walk to Gourna Villages and Castello Rosso

After breakfast we take taxis to Mili where we begin our walk up to the villages of Gourna. These traditional villages sit beneath the imposing peak of mythical Mount Ohi. Continuing along paved paths and dirt track we arrive at the old Ventian castle ‘Castello Rosso’ (400 meters) and enjoy the views back across to Gourna and Mount Ohi, and down to the coast, returning to the boat. Tonight we will overnight in a small hotel in Karystos.

Today’s 10 kilometre walk is expected to take around five hours with 400 meters ascent and descent.

Day 8 Trip ends Athens Airport

Departing Karystos this morning we take a short taxi or minibus ride back to Marmari or Styra to board the ferry for the journey back to Rafina or Marathon on mainland Greece. Our ferry will depart at approximately 9.50am. From Rafina we transfer to Athens International Airport, where we will arrive at about 11.30am and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 1.30pm.