My husband has a dream to sail among the Greek islands. Well, it looks like that would be an expensive dream. $3000-$3500/week for the two of us. I asked on another board and someone suggested looking at boats out of Turkey. I emailed several people listed in the recommendations but no one had sailed recently. Has anyone sailed on a boat recently for less than say $2000/week for two people? Or has anyone sailed for maybe 3 or 4 days? We may have to settle for a couple of ferry rides!!
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3401 posts
Lynn, I think I responded to your other queries, and I gave you a number of links to explore. That other board has many more knowledgeable/experienced "old greece hands" than this one... Steves Forum is mainly newbies. So don't hold out hopes for a sudden discovery; I think your issue is the familiar one of champagne tastes, beer pocketbook.
That being said, nothing wrong with ferry rides! Go off-season -- May/June. Take the excellent, reliable large (1200+ pasenger) modern Blue Star Line to Naxos... sit on deck & enjoy the sun; if at night, pay an additional 3€ for an inside reserve seat. From Naxos you can book a daily small "tin-pot" ferry Skopelitis (spray in the face, bouncy) to small islands like Folegandros, Amorgos, Koufinnissia. Get off and stay 1-2 days in tiny pensions by the sand. Sit under a flowering tree, watch the sun set. Fun.
Posted by
OP
Fairview heights, IL, USA
7 posts
Alas, the story of my life. My husband's champagne appetite on a worker bee paycheck. I will have to see what he is willing to give up to afford his dream! (I am not holding my breath on this one). Thanks for responding.
Posted by
OP
Fairview heights, IL, USA
7 posts
Thanks Ron. He is mulling over what he wants to do now. I will add this tidbit to his choices. Thanks.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3401 posts
Lyn, Naxos is ALSO one of the few islands where you can take "day cruises" on purpose-run boats. One of them goes to Santorini, arrives about 10:30, leaves around 5. IMO, plenty of time to see the caldera view, which really is the big thing about that island. The sail back enjoys the sunset. Costs about 50-50E per person. There are also 2 other day-cruises at similar prices. One of them gives you BOTH Delos AND Mykonos. 3.5 hours on each. The other one -- which i think is mainly in high season, takes you to beaches on 2 of the small "lesser cyclades" in a small boat. Sorta like a sail thing.
http://www.thenaxosguide.com/select_travel.asp?id=excursions
THese go 3 days a week. Best to wait & see what the weather forecast is for the next sailing day, and THEN sign up, to get the smoothest sailing. There are 2 boats for the Delos/Mykonos cruise -- M/V Alexander and Naxos Star. Alexanter, being a catamaran has less roll if sea turns choppy.
Posted by
OP
Fairview heights, IL, USA
7 posts
Janet- You have given me some great information. I was looking at the gullets out of Turkey (Blue Cruises) but I did see some concern over on Tripadvisor for fraudulent gullet bookers. And, my husband tends to be wayyyyy more conservative about places we go. He was really hesitant about Turkey...but then that is how he approaches anything new and different. (We just came back from China and I took him kicking and screaming to the airport. At the end of the trip, he announced it was the best trip of his life.) Anyway, I was having difficulty figuring out how to get from Athens to Bodrum or Marmaris. (Marmaris had 3 day trips) Just about then is when he got cold feet so I stopped looking.
I will offer him this new info and see if I can get him jump started into a new plan. I REALLY appreciate your help.