Greece Sailing Adventure: Kefalonia to Corfu

Kalimera! Welcome to Greece.  Your sailing adventure begins on the biggest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea – Kefalonia. Famous for its delicious wine – primarily Robola and Mavrodafni – Kefalonia is also home to a beautiful national park, white sand beaches and friendly locals. If you have the time, why not stay a few extra days and explore the island to its fullest, or you could visit Melissani Cave? You’ll have a welcome meeting at 4 pm this afternoon to meet your group and trip leader. This will take place at Sami Port, at the Taka Taka Mam (where you can grab an iconic souvlaki, too). Head out for some food shopping after with your group for some supplies. Tonight, you’ll head on a night out with your fellow travellers.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll head towards Fiskardo – with hills carpeted by cypress and olive trees, this fishing village is so beautiful that it was added to Project Natura 2000 for its protection. Declared as having ‘great natural beauty’, this harbour town has iconic Venetian architecture and is one of the only islands with its original buildings still standing. Explore the lush, verdant hills surrounding a winding coast that stands on the northern tip of Kefalonia and maybe take a swim to wash the day off in between.

Over the next two days, you’ll be exploring the beautiful islands of Atokos, Kastos, Kalamos and Ithaca at the group’s desired pace. Spend your days lounging on the boat’s deck, swimming in the glittering blue waters, eating out at local tavernas and watching sunset on the deck or the sands of a nearby beach.   

Visit remote Atokos – one of the most secluded of the Echinades Islands. A pebbled beach and small flat hinterland make Atokos, now a private island owned by the shipowner family of Panayiotis Tsakos. The tiny islet is uninhabited except for a few goats that roam freely. On the island, there is the small chapel of St. John and the beach at One House Bay. Atokos is inside a Natura 2000 protected area, and as such, the waters and surrounding environment are nothing short of stunning.  

Visit Kastos – where you’ll find peaceful beaches and a simple island lifestyle. Kastos is one of the smallest of the Ionian islands, with only a few hundred people living here, making it the perfect spot if you’re looking for some relaxation and peace.  

Visit Ithaca – this beautiful island is famously the homeland of Odysseus (Ulysses), the hero of the Homeric poem Odyssey. Ithaca is where the faithful Penelope waits patiently for twenty years for her husband to return from the Trojan War. Surrounded by lush green vegetation, European architecture and the deep-blue sea, you’ll see why this place caused such inspiration.   

This morning, you’ll head to Skorpios – primarily known as the private island of the late Greek shipping billionaire Aristotle Onassis, bought in 1963 for numerous high-profile parties. This was also the site of Onassis’ wedding to the former United States First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1968. Now, the island is owned by the Russian oligarch and art collector Dmitry Rybolovlev. Stop for a swim by the island before heading to the bays of Meganisi. This remote island is located between Lefkada and the Greek mainland. Untouched by mainstream tourism, it provides amazing crystalline waters and secluded coves that can only be reached by boat! Except for its two traditional villages and the small number of facilities they offer, the island is unspoiled. Take some time to explore the beautiful bays and then dock in the marina of the small fishing village of Vathi closeby.  

You might want to get up early this morning to see the sunrise on the deck or take a quick dip before breakfast. Today, you’ll sail north, passing through the north channel and docking in the beautiful marina of Lefkada. Featuring sheer cliffs and turquoise waters, this island’s busy streets are perfect for a blissful beach day or night out on the town. Lefkada is also home to some dense forests and world-famous beaches, which you have undoubtedly seen photos of (spoiler alert – it’s better in real life!). You’ll wander the busy streets with your group, find some delicious Greek food to feast on and maybe grab a cocktail (or two), before spending the night on the boat.

This morning, get an early start as you sail towards Paxos – the smallest of the Ionian islands – and Antipaxos – its sister island. Paxos is a unique blend of enchanting verdant landscapes set in an azure sea. Inhabited by some of the world’s most charming and hospitable people and constantly bathed in European sunshine, this is a gorgeous place to explore. Two miles south, Antipaxos is a small island home to some of the finest beaches in the Ionian Sea with transparent ocean and white sands. Antipaxos doesn’t have its own permanent population, but many Paxiots own vineyards and cottages here. Stop to take a refreshing swim in the glittering water before arriving in Gaios, the main port and the centre of life in Paxos. When you approach Gaios from the north, you’ll enter a beautiful river-like passing through the islands of Panagia, where you can see a monastery of the Virgin Mary and the pine-covered island of St. Nicholas with its 1423 Venetian castle hidden in the trees. Explore the village of Gaios and the stunning coastline with your group tonight.

Enjoy breakfast on the boat this morning and then set sail to the other most beautiful island in the Ionian belt – Corfu. Flanked by two imposing Venetian fortresses, Corfu’s town features winding medieval lanes, a French-style arcade and the grand Palace of St. Michael and St. George. When you arrive, you might like to swim and then walk the winding streets to see all the town's Venetian influences and gorgeous architecture. Liston is one of the most popular pedestrian streets on the island and a perfect meeting place for tourists, right next to the famous Spaniada Square. Maybe stop for a Greek coffee and some people-watching among the great seaside atmosphere. Tonight, hit Corfu’s main town for a final night out and farewell dinner with your group.

After breakfast this morning, disembark at Gouvia marina in Corfu and say goodbye to your skipper and fellow travellers. If you are flying out today, your trip leader can help you organise a taxi to the airport.