Sailing Vacation Greece - Cycladic Islands sailing charter - A yacht charter with the Manhattan Yacht Club via Paros, Mykonos, Folegandros, Santorini, Amorgos, Kos and to Coast of East Turkey

You can chose any week or both weeks at your convenience. When booking 2 weeks you receive a $100 discount per week on the normal price! Check out the discount policy.

From the Chora of Santorini

Itinerary week 1 Sat 09/22 to Sat 09/29

We will depart from Paros - in Parikia harbor (next to the ferry terminal)- on Sunday 09/23. We ask that you try to arrive early possibly on Sat 09/22 in Paros in order to enjoy this beautiful village and meet the crew.

Paros Naoussa harbor

It looks like we will have at least 2 boats for the first week. If this is the case we will follow each other via Antiparos, Folgandros, Santorini to Amorgos.

Cliffs of Folegandros

We will then sail to Amorgos on Thursday 09/27 and on Friday 09/28 when we will split in two groups.

Amorgos Castle

The boat with the crew for the first week only will return to Paros via Naxos (ETA Paros Paroika 12.00 on Sat. 9/29, the second boat will continue to Kos (See maps below green itinerary) with the rest of the crew (ETA Kos Sat. 9/29 at 12.00). In Kos we will wait for the rest of the crew to arrive for the second week. We will depart from Kos to Bodrum on Sun 09/30.

Kleftiko

Therefore if you intend to come only for the first week arrange to travel from Athens to Paros (departure from Naoussa harbor see picture below) and then Back from Paros (Paroika harbor) to Athens, unless you prefer to stop on the way somewhere.

Itinerary week 2. Sat 09/29 to Sat 10/06.

Will meet the second week crew - people not yet on the boat from the first week - in Kos on Saturday 09/29. See further below "How to get to Kos".

Pyli Church in Kos

We will then probably depart for Bodrum on Sunday 09/30.

A view from Bodrum!

In Bodrum we will decide of the best itinerary possible, depending upon the weather and foremost the wind.

Pamukkale

If we have light winds, we would favor a northern itinerary closer to the wind and therefore with more speed - apparent wind.

Isabey Mosque Selcuk

We would then try to spend time especially around Ephesus and allow for a trip to Pamukkale and Selcuk where we can admire one of the 7 th wonder of the world - the temple of Artemis.

Celsus' library Ephesus

See chart below.

If we have strong winds, then we would favor a Eastern and South Eastern itinerary.

Little bay near Gocek

This itinerary would also possibly allow for the discovering of more southern locations such as Datca, Bencik and Bozborum, Bozuk and Bozuk Butu, see charts below.

As mentioned previously, because of the proximity of these different sites we might also choose a more southern itinerary to the bay of Fethiye and Gocek, if winds are favorable, see below.

Please remember that itineraries are only indicative and that at any point in time we can change the route depending on the interest of the crew and the weather conditions. In any case, itineraries will be discussed daily with the crew depending upon the weather conditions and the interests of all.

In Fethiye bay

Therefore if you intend to come for the first and the second week arrange your travel between Athens and Paros for the departure and from Kos to Athens for the return. See below travel information.

If you intend to saily only for the second week arrange your travel to Kos or Bodrum on Sat or Sun Sept. 29th or 30th and for a return from Kos on Sat Oct. 06th.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU PREFER TO GO BACK TO PAROS OR KOS, LET ME KNOW...

Although as the skippers might be obliged to bring back the boats to Paros or Athens after Kos (depending on the schedule of the boats), and if you are flexible in your travel dates you might be able to sail back to Paros or Athens for free on Sunday or Monday Oct. 7th or 8th. We will know for sure that this option is available only for the departure...

Typical winds in Greece and Turkey in September/October

How to read this wind rose?

The wind rose graphically depicts the following wind characteristics:

Look at Kos area.

Percentage of calms: The number in the center of the circle represents percent occurrence of calms for this area for a given month. For Kos 5% at the end of September to the beginning of October.

Percentage occurrence of wind in eight compass directions: The length of the 8 lines radiating out from the circle indicates the percent occurrence of winds from each compass direction. The longer the line the higher the occurrence from that direction. If the length of the line exceeds 30 percent, the actual percentage is displayed.

For Kos 39% of the winds are coming from the NW at this period of the year.

Beaufort wind force: The number of feathers on the line indicates the Beaufort force of the wind from that direction. Each small feather equals 1 Beaufort of wind force. If the Beaufort wind force exceeds force 6, a single large red arrow is displayed instead of the individual feathers. For Kos winds are coming from the NW in majority 39 % at 4 Beaufort in average for this period of the year. about 70% of the winds are coming from the N or the NW for Kos at this period.

Departing point and arriving point Week 1

We will be leaving and coming back in Paros, an island located in the center of the Cycladic Islands. This will allow for more sailing time and visits without spending hours in the middle of the VERY busy channel leading to Athens. Believe me we have done it and it worth the extra money that you will spend.

Paros is a very pleasant island and has 2 main harbors; Parikia and Naoussa. Both are close to airports and ferries by cab or bus. Our preference goes to Naoussa but at this time Parikia seems more convenient at least until the sat evening. Departure from Paros is Sun am.

For the return we will make sure to arrive in Parikia, in order to be closer to ferries. As for now it looks like neither Olympic airways or Air Sea Lines offer services by air from Paros on Sat 09/22 or Sun 09/23

Return to Paros is scheduled on Sat 9/29 at 12.00 (noon).

How to get to and back from Paros?

I would suggest to fly to Athens Eliftherios Venizelos airport and to either take a small flight to Paros or the ferry. If you take a ferry - I would suggest not to book your ticket in advance as schedules change. In addition you might be able to find better options once at the harbour as we are not at the peak of the season.

Another alternative is to fly to Mikonos and then to take a ferry to Paros but that's a lot of transfer...

To go to, from and around Athens Airport - including to the city and the Lavrio and Pireus harbors, check this link out.

As a general rule, allow plenty of between flights/ferry in case you are delayed. Also note that the latest possibility by ferry to Paros leaves from Pireus at 17.30 and the last flight at 14.45 from Lavrio harbor or 13.45 from Athens airport. If you are delayed, do not worry. Find a nice hotel in Athens, have a good dinner and take the first flight on sunday morning to meet us in Paros. Guess what? We might even wait for you:) Just send an SMS or an Email to Thierry to let him know what is going on

Airlines for Paros.

Olympic Airways fly out of Athens Sat 09/22 to Paros

Dep. 08.55 arr.09.30 or

Dep 13.45 arr. 14.20.

Cost is 57 Euros. This is the best solution.

AirSea Lines is a small but very nice little airline flying sea planes. They leave from Lavrio Harbor - therefore a 40 min cab ride or a 1.2h bus ride away from the airport.

From Lavrio Sat Sept. 22 for Paros

Dep 14.45 arr. 15.25

Cost is 70 Euros

As for now it looks like neither Olympic airways or Air Sea Lines offer services by air from Paros on Sat 09/22 or Sun 09/23

Airlines to Mykonos

AirSea Lines for Mykonos for 70 Euros

Leaves from Lavrio harbor Sat Sept. 22.

Dep. 17.05 arr. 17.40

Aegian Airline

3 departures from Athens airport to Mykonos from 10 Euros

Leave Athens on Sat Sept. 22

Dep. 06.50 arr. 0650 or

Dep. 11.45 arr. 12.20 or

Dep. 19.10 arr. 19.45

Olympic Airways has 3 departures from Athens to Mykonos

on Sat sept 22. from 30 to 70 Euros

Dep. 05.55 arr. 06.35 or

Dep. 12.40 arr. 13.20 or

Dep. 18.25 arr. 19.05

Ferries from Athens to Paros.

There are tons of ferries. Below are few convenient possibilities. Note that ferries can be express (twice as expensive as normal ferries and therefore twice as expensive).

They mainly leave from the Pireus harbor of Athens which is on the west side of town - different from Lavrio. Prices vary depending on the class of seat and the speed of the boat from 17 to 35 Euros.

Please contact the ferry company to confirm availability and departure times. Schedules change frequently. This by far the best solution considering the flexibility that you may need.

Hellenic Seaways Highspeed ferries from Pireus Athens to Paros.

Highspeed 3 daily. Dep. 07.20 arr. 10.30

Flyingcat 3. Dep 16.00 arr. 23.15 (not confirmed yet)

Highspeed 2 daily. Dep. 17.15 arr. 20.45 (not confirmed yet)

Blue Star Ferries from Pireus Athens to Paros. From 10 Euros

Dep. 07.25 arr. 11.40

Dep.17.30 arr. 21.45 (BEST Choice in case of late arrival in Athens)

Nel Lines from Lavrio to Paros.

Panagia Hozoviotisa. Dep.08.00 arr. 17.05

For the return it looks like ferries are the only options so far.

Blue Star Ferries from Paros to Athens

Sat 09/22

Dep. 10.45 arr. 15.00 or

Dep. 19.15 arr. 23.25

Sun 09/23

Dep. 10.45 arr. 15.00

Dep. 19.15 arr. 23.25

Hellenic Seaways Highspeed ferries from Paros to the Pireus

Sat 09/22

Dep. 12.35 arr. 15.45

Sun 09/23

Dep. 19.05 arr. 23.25

If these schedules work for you when returning I would recommend that you book a hotel in Paros Saturday eve. Rent a scooter or a go car and have fun.

Ferries Mykonos - Paros

They are other possibilities but we haven't been able to translate them yet. Note that it might be difficult to find a late ferry to Paros...

Hellenic Seaways- from 10 to 35 Euros

Flyingcat 4 daily. Dep. 14.45 arr. 15.45

Highspeed 3. Dep. 19.30 arr. 21.25

Blue Star Ferries- from 10 to 35 Euros

Seajet2. Dep. 10.00 arr. 10.40

Nel Lines- from 10 to 35 Euros

Panagia Thnou. Dep 13.25 arr. 15.05

To get to and back from Kos for the second week

We will depart and be back in Kos Marina. Because the ferry takes longer and because flights are open and cheap we would suggest to fly to and from Kos if you intend to only do this week. For those staying on the boat - first week - flights are easy to book in one way from Kos to Athens. Unless you really like to take ferries ... Most of them will travel at night for very little money and will arrive in the morning, although the choice is pretty limited. ETA for arrival in Kos on Sat 9/29 is 12.00. Dep from Kos to Bodrum is scheduled Sun 9/30 in the morning.

By Ferries from Athens

Blue Star Ferries

Fri. 09/28

Dep Pireus at 19.00 arr. in Kos 04.50

Sat 09/29

Dep. Pireus at 23.30 arr. in Kos 11.00 on Sun. 09/30

For the return so far Blue Star Ferries is the only choice on

Sat 10/06

Dep. Kos 12.45 arr. Pireus 21.00

By Plane from Athens

Aegian Airline (all direct flights simple to book in one way or round trip).

2 departures from Athens airport to Kos from 10 Euros one way

Leave Athens on Sat Sept. 29

Dep. 05.35 arr 06.25 - 19 Euros

Dep. 16.35 arr. 17.25 - 75 Euros

Leaving Athens on Sun. Sept. 30

Dep. 05.35 arr. 06.25 - 10 Euros

Dep. 16.35 arr. 17.25 - 92 Euros

Return from Kos to Athens on Sat. Oct. 6th

Dep. 18.00 arr. 18.50 - 92 Euros

Return from Kos to Athens on Sun. Oct. 7th

Dep. 07.00 arr. 07.50 - 75 Euros

Dep. 18.00 arr. 18.50 - 56 Euros

Olympic Airways has 7 departures from Athens to Kos

on Sat sept 29. from $248 round trip, the best are

Dep. 05.40 arr. 06.35 or

Dep. 09.00 arr. 14.40

Dep. 13.15 arr. 14.15 or

Dep. 20.45 arr. 21.45

Return Kos to Athens on Sat. Oct. 6th.

Dep. 15.05 arr. 20.10 (1 non stop)

Dep. 22.10 arr. 23.15

Tons of returns are available on Sat 10/06 and Sun 10/07.

We would suggest if you can a departure on Sunday from Kos. That way you will have time to relax in Kos which is a very quaint little town.

Return Kos to Athens on Sun. Oct. 7th.

Dep. 07.05 arr. 08.05

Dep. 14.40 arr. 15.40

Dep. 22.20 arr. 23.15

You may also decide for the second week to leave from either Bodrum, Izmir or Istanbul. You have lots of options available via Turkish airlines and ferries.

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