Luxury skippered yacht charter at affordable prices.
Enjoy cruising the Ionian Islands under sail, onboard Yacht Cecily, a beautiful wooden sailing ketch.
Itinerary and cruising area.
Sailing among the Greek Islands in style and comfort. Cecily sails out of Kefalonia (Cephalonia) and Levkas, visiting many idyllic islands en route.
A typical week long itinerary could take in places such as:-
Kefalonia
Cecily starts many of her excursions from this famous Island. Calling at the cosmopolitan port of Fiskardo, well known for it’s vibrant harbour front boulevard and stunning Venetian architecture.
Just an afternoon sail away are the quiet, unspoiled fishing villages of Ayios Eufemia and Poros, sleepy places where life continues at an unhurried pace.
Ithaka
The small mountainous island of Ithaka is separated from Kefalonia by just a narrow strait of ‘wine dark’ Ionian Sea. Known world- wide through it’s links with Homer’s epic The Odyssey. However Ithaka continues to be unaffected by tourism due to the lack of a commercial airport and subsequent influx of tourists.
The town of Vathi remains the hub of Island life and is very much the staging post for locals and visitors alike, with inter- island ferries calling here on a regular basis.
Cruising along the East coast of Ithaka you will find the picturesque tiny fishing hamlets of Kioni and Frikes. Tucked safely into the cypress and olive edged coves, these anchorages offer good protection from the prevailing winds and are magical places to sit and enjoy an alfresco dinner at one of the simple tavernas serving locally caught fish and octopus.
Lefkada (Levkas)
Linked to the Greek mainland by a floating ‘ferry bridge,’ Levkas is just a short sail North from Ithaka. The first port of call is the village of Sivota, with it’s deep, sheltered anchorage and plethora of harbour front tavernas. For windsurfing fanatics, there’s also the Bay of Vassiliki nearby, with it’s strong katabatic afternoon winds and legions of windsurfers hurtling at unbelievable speeds across the bay.
A passage through the Meganissi channel leads into a sheltered area known as the Inland Sea, and a chance to take a close look at the island of Scorpios, the private island of the Onassis family, and once playground to the rich and famous.
The neighbouring Island of Meganissi and its deep olive studded bays is a firm favourite on Cecily’s itinerary. A mixture of secluded swimming holes and remote anchorages make this island one of the most idyllic in the group. Also known for it’s unbelievable clarity of water, Meganissi leaves a lasting impression of beauty in the memories of those who are fortunate enough to visit.
At the Northern end of the Inland Sea lies the town of Levkas, a lively and thriving place, with a spectacular approach through the salt marshes and man made canals of Levkas Island. A perfect place for bargain hunting and replenishing ships supplies.
PAXOS
Just a few nautical miles South of Corfu, Paxos and it’s sister Island- Anti Paxos offer an abundance of natural beauty combined with an indolent lifestyle that can make ones everyday stresses seem a million light years away. Being the smallest inhabited island, just eighteen square miles, Paxos has not seen the commercial development of some of its larger neighbours and has managed to retain an unspoilt and simplistic lifestyle. The Interior of Paxos is a vast olive grove, where many of the trees were planted by the Venetians who once inhabited this Island. The shoreline has many small deserted coves where the dazzling white pebbles contrast with the beautifully clear aquamarine sea.
At the northern tip of the Island within a horseshoe shaped bay, is Lakka. A sleepy fishing village offering sheltered mooring and simple but delicious seafood in its many local tavernas. Lakka is an ideal place to start an inland excursion either on foot or by car, and a chance to explore the famous olive groves of Paxos.
The Venetian town of Gaios, the capitol of Paxos is a bustling, cosmopolitan place. A popular haven for visiting yachts crossing from Italy and Malta, with many habour front cafes and stylish boutiques in which to while away the day. After a circumnavigation of the Island an idyllic place to spend the evening is Mongonissi, a remotely beautiful cove in the south of Paxos. With dramatic underwater topography and clear azure waters, this is a wonderful anchorage to snorkel and to enjoy the serenity of Paxos.
The Greek Mainland
The Epiros Coast which boasts the spectacular resorts of Parga and Sivota, combines the lush beauty and scenic seascapes of the Ionian Islands with the historic fascination of the mainland.
One of the first ports of call is Parga, just 10 miles East of Paxos – a 14th century castle dominates the fortified town standing dramatically above the bay and rocky promontory. Parga is a busy town in the summer with lively streets packed with a healthy tourist population that mingles busily in the narrow passages and the coffee shops that line its promenade. It seems to be a favourite destination of Italian vacationers who elect to spend their summer holiday here due to its proximity to the Italian coast.
The yacht mooring at Parga is in a sheltered bay to the west of the town and sailors are ferried into the quay onboard charming, traditional Greek water taxis.
SIVOTA, MOURTOS
A small, newly developed fishing harbour with fantastic sunsets and views across to Corfu. Sivota sits well into the bay of Mourtos, with many small coves to explore and a few tiny beaches to enjoy. Its focal point is its charming sailing harbour, an attractively landscaped, traffic free promenade where just under a dozen tavernas and cafes set out their tables.
These are just a selection of the many wonderful places to visit within the Ionian Islands. Yacht Cecily’s itinerary is completely flexible, depending on weather of course. |
