Located off Greece's north-west coast, the Ionians Islands offer some of the country's loveliest natural settings and are the perfect place for an Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Charter. Most of the islands are short distances apart. It’s hard not to fall in love for their natural beauty. Each island boasts a distinct tradition, cuisine and architecture. It’s easy to get off the beaten track and find your own isolated swimming coves or wander through olive groves. Cultural adventurers can involve explorations of fortresses, Byzantine churches and Homeric sites. Adventure addicts can trek, cycle, windsurf and scuba dive. Sea lovers will enjoy the crystal waters and the superb sailing conditions. The ideal starting point for your cruise is Corfù, a 15 minutes drive from Corfù International Airport.
Day 1Corfù - Sivota
Arrive To Corfù and board your yacht. Get settled on board and after a short briefing, departure forSivota where the boat can stop and anchor for lunch. The small port village of Sivota is situatedoppositethe south part of Corfu island, the tip of Asprokavos, separated by a narrow channel of 4 nautical miles.In front of it there are four small isles. The most beautiful of them are the isle ofBella Vraka and the isle of Saint Nicolas. As the most coastline of mainland also the green vegetation of Sivota tries to reach the Ionian Sea, which is often separated by small sandy strips. In Sivota you will find a lot of amazing small beaches like Zeri, GalikosOrmos, Bello Vrako, Zavia and the exotic bay of "Pishina" where a part of the famous film "Blue Lagoon" was filmed. The nightlife of Sivota is largely focused around the waterfront, with a number of traditional tavernas, restaurants and cafés lining the quayside. There is a disco that opens down by the waterfront in high season, however things are generally pretty low key here and tend to be centred around good food and drink.
Day 2 Sivota - Gaios
Aftera nice breakfastthere will be a one hour sail to Gaios on the island of Paxos.Paxos covers an area of some 19 square kilometres and is one of a cluster of picturesque small islands set in the Ionian Sea. Paxos has can only be reached by boat and therefore, has been able to protect itself from the strain of modern tourism. The eastern coastline of the islands are gentle compared to the west coast which are bold and abrupt, with caves, arches and shear cliffs. Gaios is a picturesque village built around a port which is protected by two small islands Agios Nikolas and Panagia. You will find the pace is still unhurried, very relaxing with genuine friendly Greek hospitality at its best. The main square of Gaios is home to the open-air cafes that make such a wonderful amusement and atmosphere either day or night. Along the meandering quayside and in the narrow streets leading back from it, are numerous small and very pleasant tavernas and bars. You will soon find your own favourites. The food on offer in Gaios is Greek and also plenty of Italian dishes can be found. The little town is filled with alluring shops and boutiques, where jewelery and clothing can be picked up at very reasonable prices. Pottery is a good buy here on Paxos too. The ruins of the 15th century Fortress of St Nicholas, are on the islet of the same name that lies immediately opposite Gaios, on Paxos. A permit must be obtained from the municipality in order to visit this fortress. The Monastery of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) on the islet of the same name, is also opposite Gaios.
Day 3 Gaios – Lefkas
After an early breakfast, you will cruise south to Lefkas and transit Lefkas channel, one of the loveliest channels in the Ionian. Arriving in Lefkas mid afternoon you can jump into the beautiful clear water in this harbour. And if you feel like stretching your legs you can take a hike ashore and visit the site of a temple dedicated to Apollo. Lefkas is a beautiful island with vastgreen valleys, waterfalls and endless beaches surrounded by uninhabited islets. Spectacular villas, Byzantine churches and colorful streets make Lefkas one of the most interesting island in the Ionian.Lefkas is the only island linked to the mainland. A swing bridge gives easy access by road. The island and the surrounding area has a lot to offer - anything from windsurfing, cycling, scuba-diving, walking, exploring ancient archaeological sites or just that lazy beach relax. You will probably find some of the most picturesque views around, looking out from the calmer waters of the east coast overlooking the famous Onassis island of Scorpios, the other islands and mainland Greece and you will find the best beaches and most spectacular sunsets. Lefkas maintains its charm because of the strict building laws which do not allow high storey blocks. Off the beaten track you will still find villages where old stone houses are being renovated and Greek women sitting outside crocheting and embroidering.Lefkas is the island that combines everything in a unique way! You can find a great variety of restaurants and bars. Either you are looking for a quiet restaurant for a tasty dinner or for a bar in order to enjoy a drink, or for a club in order to dance all night, you can find it here. Night clubs and bars are found mainly in Lefkada town, as well as in the most popular tourist resorts, Nydri and Vassiliki. Lefkas highlights: Museums, Monasteries; Venetian Castle; Churches; Colorful streets; Beaches (sands and pebble).
Day 4 Lefkas - Antipaxos
In the morning cruise toAntipaxos.Although a small island, it is endowed with outstanding beauty. The island of Antipaxos (literally meaning “opposite Paxi”) lies at just 3 nautical miles from the port of Gaios. Antipaxos is famous for its renowned beaches, among which Voutoúmi, with its exotic turquoise waters, is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. But travellers will cherish the place as much as the wine, the natural landscape is full of vineyards that produce excellent wine. Apart from the traditional methods of producing wine of fine quality and other Greek varietals (the worldwide famous “mavrodáfni” is one of them), enhanced, biological cultivations transform the local wine into a product of high nutritional value. Inhabited by merely two hundred people, this island is a quite and remote paradise with beautiful sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Here you can stop at one of the secluded coves that can be found around the island's coastline. It is believed that the crystal clear turquoise waters off Antipaxos offer some of the best swimming and snorkeling opportunities in the Ionian sea.
Day5 Antipaxos – Parga
Parga is a small town situated in a secluded bay and has an intense island feeling. The colorful houses of Parga are constructed amphitheatrically along the slopes of a mountain, offering nice view to the sea. A green islet with a white church stands at the entrance of the port, while the ruined walls of a Venetian castle can be seen on top of a hill above the town. Most of all, it is famous for the amazing beaches with the exotic water.
Day6Parga – Lakka
This morning it is time to start sailing toward Lakka: Lakkais the northern port of Paxos set gorgeous horse shoe shaped bay and flanked by high ground covered in olive and cypresses trees. The bay which is almost completely sheltered from the open sea is excellent for swimming, water sports and for mooring.Swimming at the beaches of Charami, Kanoni and Planoi. Ain this picturesque settlement, in lush green surroundings with beautiful houses, alleys and small squares, you are spoilt for choice of where to eat, with the bars and tavernas offering a wide choice of very good traditional Greekfood.Sightseeing: the Church of Aghios Andreas, the sea cave of Ypapanti, the beautiful sunset view from the lighthouse.
Day7Lakka – Corfù
In the afternoon head towards Corfù where you can spend your last night either at anchor or in port. Its rich multi-cultural heritage, its historic monuments, its stunning natural landscape, its crystal clear seas and its excellent weather all year round explain why Corfù is one of the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean destinations weaving a powerful spell on its visitors. In the beautifully preserved Old Town of Corfù, a UNESCO world heritage site, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical “repertoire” came to be successfully applied to local artistic traditions. Palaces, fortresses, austere public buildings of the Venetian rule uniquely blend with lines of drying washing in tiny alleyways and small secluded squares. Corfù is considered the mostinternational island of the Ionian Sea, where it is easy to combine relaxation with intense nightlife.