Cruising the little-visited Greek island of Evia. Warm hospitality aboard with our experienced family crew. Excellent climate, wonderful food and plentiful swimming. Independent family trips available on request.

The Aegean island of Evia remains refreshingly untouched despite being close to Athens. For those who are nostalgic for the Greece of yesteryear, this is the ideal place to visit. Between exploring remote coves, sandy beaches, a spectacular fjord and exclusive private islands, there is always plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling, or sunbathing on deck. We take (optional) excursions each day into the surrounding countryside, hiking to typical old white-washed villages, as well as visiting the ruins and ancient buildings for which Greece is justly renowned. Our home for the week is a comfortable, traditionally-built Greek caique (pronounced cay-eekee); 16 metres long and 5 metres wide, it is single-masted with three sails, although we will normally be powered by the 250Hp engine. There are 8 twin cabins with bunk beds below deck and 2 bathrooms upstairs. There is ample room to relax and stretch out on the sun deck, with mats provided. Part of the deck is shaded.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Those making their own flight arrangements should meet the group off their flight at Athens airport. We board our caique for our first night on board. 2 We cruise to the peaceful hamlet of Porto Lafia where we can swim off the boat in the crystal blue waters of Lafia Bay surrounded by high mountains. We cruise on to Panagia Harbour, a small fishing village at the end of a scenic fjord-like channel. There is ample time here for swimming off the boat, snorkelling, or exploring the old village of Argyro. 3 We cruise north to the famous city-state of the 4th Century - Eretria. The city was plundered and razed to the ground by the Persians but we can visit the remains of the Temple of Apollo, a gymnasium, theatre, houses of mosaics and the extensive museum. In the afternoon we provide an optional visit to the historic capital of the island - Halkis - famous for its tidal phenomenon of the Evripos Channel. One of the oldest cathedrals in the Christian world can be visited as well as an Ottoman castle on a nearby hill, a mosque and a synagogue. A drink on the promenade is a must before returning to Eretria. 4 After breakfast there's an optional visit to Eretria's museum and its ancient ruins. We then cruise southwards down the Evian Gulf to the secluded lagoon of Porto Buffalo. The rest of the day can be dedicated to sun and water! We can swim off the boat in the lagoon, before a small tender will take us to a tiny hamlet for dinner. 5 After breakfast we set out towards Styra. Sailing past the as-yet uninhabited islands of Kavalliani and Stira, we dock at the pretty and lively seaside town of Nea Styra. Popular with visitors to Evia, it has a lively family atmosphere and is an ideal place for seafood lovers. During the day we have the option to explore by taxi or on foot, the time-forgotten villages of Mesohoria and Limionas Bay on the Aegean Coast of the island. There is time to swim and snorkel on the tranquil beach before we travel back to Nea Styra in the late afternoon. 6 We cruise to the exclusive group of private isles of Petali, once the summer residence of the Greek royals. Nowadays the Picasso family and wealthy shipping tycoons occupy the seven gems and we anchor off the biggest island for a swim and snorkel. We continue on to Marmari Village, which is amphitheatrically built on the rolling hills opposite of the Petali Isles. From here we can take an optional walk to the Zastani Coves for further secluded swimming and snorkelling. Marmari has a picturesque promenade that is dotted with waterfront coffee shops and tavernas that overlook the small fishing boats and is an excellent spot for dinner. 7 Sailing past some picturesque coves and bays, we enter the broad beach-clad bay of Karystos. Situated at the bottom of the majestic Mt Ochi (1,400 m.) is the harbour - our final stop for the week. An array of ouzo/meze tavernas with their octopus lying out to dry are scattered along the waterfront. Mulberry trees line the promenade and fishermen often sit and mend their nets here. Karystos is a traditional market town where farm folk from surrounding villages trade. In the afternoon we can take taxis (optional) to explore the hanging Gourna villages that lie above Karystos town below Mt Ochi. Driving past watermills, olive trees and rivers, we'll stop at the medieval castle of Castello Rosso. Sitting impressively on a lone hill, it overlooks the town and bay. The castle has some romantic but also bloodthirsty stories attached to its long history. Franks, Venetians, Catalans and Turks have all overrun the castle at some point in history. On foot we'll descend to the lush village of Mili for a drink in one of the cafes. We descend further to Karystos for some last minute shopping and a slap-up farewell meal in one of the tavernas. 8 Morning free for swimming and shopping. Transfer to Athens, end Athens.

Mode of travel: Flights direct with Olympic Airways. Transport minibus, taxis, ferry and caique. Min. Age 5 years.
Group size: Min. 6, max. 12, plus family crew.
Accommodation: 7 nights on the caique.
Food: All breakfasts included.
Trip Reference: FVG
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.