Greece Sailing Adventure: Cyclades Islands

This is a sailing adventure so our time is spent on board a monohull yacht. You may be asked to assist on-deck, particularly when coming into or leaving port. No experience is necessary, but getting to know some 'sailing language' might help to get you into the spirit of the adventure.

Bow - front of the boat

Stern - rear of the boat

Port - left

Starboard - right

Deck - outside, upper area of the boat

Hull - the main part or body of the boat

Keel - part of the boat under water that keeps the boat stable and stops it capsizing

Mainsail - the large sail attached to the mast and boom

Mast - the big vertical pole that supports the mainsail

Boom - the big horizontal pole attached to the mainsail, coming off the rear of the mast (swing from side to side)

Jib, headsail, genoa, foresail - smaller sail near the front of the boat

Sheet - ropes used to control the sails

Booty - another word for pirate treasure

Lines - other ropes on the boat (ropes are never called ropes on yachts)

Spinnaker - large extra sail

Trim the sails - adjust the position of the sails when the wind changes strength or direction

Tiller or wheel or helm - used to steer the boat

Helmsman - person steering the boat

Running - sailing with the wind

Tack - turning the bow of the boat when sailing through the wind

Jibe - turning the stern of the boat when sailing through the wind

Figure-eight knot - the stopper: often used at the end of lines to stop them getting away.

Bowline (knot) - strong and dependable knot that is commonly used

Clove Hitch (knot) - not as secure it is often used to attach an object to a line

Boat

This trip is accommodated entirely on board a yacht of between 54ft to 56ft. A typical yacht for 11 travellers is equipped with a mixture of 2 x double cabins, 2 x twin cabins and 1 x triple cabin. There are 5 shared bathrooms. Our boats are real yachts and this is a real sailing trip. Yachts are designed to keep sleeping areas to the absolute minimum of space, while maximising common areas as much as possible.

Rooms are allocated on arrival by our skipper according to group composition, which means it is not possible to reserve or guarantee any specific berth or cabin. Single passengers will be paired up with another passenger of the same gender, this may mean sharing a double cabin with a double mattress. Everyone including the skipper shares the bathrooms on board.

While not everyone may feel entirely comfortable living in such close quarters, those who are looking to revel in the adventure and exhilaration of an authentic sailing trip usually find any discomfort from cramped living conditions is more than made up for by the whole experience.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION:

Please note that the majority of our sailing trips start and/or finish at a marina or port. For most of our destinations, we can provide transfers between the airport/hotel and the port/marina. Please check the joining and finish point information in the trip notes for details.

ELECTRICITY:

While there should be electricity on board throughout your trip the voltage is likely to vary widely, from 12V to 220V, and when in port or moored we are dependent on the supply available. Please be aware that the supply may not be sufficient to power some electronic devices all the time and that you may need a voltage adapter or similar (such as portable inverter used in cars). On some trips it may be possible to charge devices ashore at restaurants or resorts, however this is not guaranteed.

WI-FI:

Please note that our sailing boats do not have Wi-Fi. You will be getting off the boat and visiting towns regularly so you will be able to connect with the outside world then.

Overnight boat (9 nights)

berth-cabin: 9 night(s);

On this trip you will be accompanied by one of our skippers. Your skipper's role involves taking charge of the sailing, the safety of the vessel and safety for all passengers on board. Skippers all hold a Yacht Master Offshore license or higher and have completed an intense training and review process before sailing with us. They are also fully qualified in

CPR :

and First Aid. The aim of the skipper is also to take the hassle out of your travels by organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics and coordinating the kitty (where applicable). Your skipper will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect skippers to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.