Sailing Greece - Athens to Kos Adventure Tour

A yacht adventure is the ideal way to experience what many consider the world's most beautiful islands: the Greek Islands. Sail for up to 22 days aboard our 15m (50 ft) yachts, with time for hiking, snorkelling, and relaxing. Explore ancient archaeological sites and taverna-lined harbours, dine on fresh seafood and don't forget to try the Ouzo!

Meals  

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

On our Greek sailing trips, your G Adventures skipper will offer to make a food kitty for small items, such as ice, water, coffee, tea, milk, snacks, drinks, and so on. The average amount suggested for the kitty is around EUR 30 per person, per week.

Accommodation  

4 twin/double bed cabins, 3 bathrooms, 2 showers (21 nts).

Emergency Fund  

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Minimum Age  

Minimum age of 16 years for this trip.

Trip Specific Safety  

Greece is a relatively safe country if you take the same precaution you would back home in any major and/or touristy cities, use comon sense and do not hesitate to ask your skipper about specific areas to avoid. Also it is recommended to carry with you only the money and documentation you need for the day. Always keep an eye on your belongings, while having a drink, at the internet cafe, waiting at the bus station...

International Flights  

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

Group Leader  

Skipper/CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

What's Included  

Sailing the Greek Islands. Fully licensed skipper. Snorkelling equipment.

Departure Tax  

Usually included in international air ticket

Health  

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

No particular health issues in Greece, just that in some more remote islands bottled water is more recommended to drink. Just keep in mind that some heat waves are possible from June to October all over the country. People who are sensitive to seasickness should come prepared.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit, hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements.

Tipping  

It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2). Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures skipper did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €20-25 per person, per week can be used.

Optional Activities  

No optional activities

A Couple of Rules  

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Max Pax  

8

About Accommodation  

A NOTE REGARDING SMALL SPACES ON SAILBOATS/YACHTS: Please note that the rooming for our yacht adventures is done on a first-come, first-serve basis and no particular cabins or berths can be guaranteed. Our skippers will pair up guests who have booked together, or, if you are travelling solo, you will be paired with someone of the same gender. Please be aware that as this is a real yacht (sailboat) and NOT a cruise vessel, the space on board is tight. You will be sharing a small cabin with one of your fellow passengers or your travelling companion, and sharing the three bathrooms onboard. The sleeping quarters on board yachts are generally kept to a minimum size in order to maximize public space and performance. Some people are not comfortable with the type of close-quarter arrangements typically found on sailboats, however if a real sailing experience on a real sailboat is what you are after, then this adventure should more than make-up for the cramped living quarters. Please note that the skipper will also be sharing the ship's quarters and facilities with you and your fellow passengers.

Laundry  

Laundry facilities can be found in some harbours, ask your skipper for the best places.

Money Exchange  

In Greece you can exchange your foreign currency and /or traveler checks in banks and money exchange "kiosko" in all cities, remember that the banks are open from 8:00am until 2pm and won´t reopen later, also be aware of national holidays. The only currency accepted in Greece is the EURO.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Spending Money  

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Itinerary Disclaimer  

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Visas and Entry Requirements  

Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

All visitors to the EU (European Union) and EEC (European Economic Community) countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area (see below), however they may not stay longer than three months in any 6-month period.

For other nationalities, travelling in Europe has been simplified with the introduction of the Schengen visa. As a visitor to the Schengen area (Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland) you will enjoy the many advantages of this unified visa system. Generally speaking with a Schengen visa, you may enter one Schengen country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of your visa. There are limited border controls at Schengen borders, if any at all.

Please note that the UK and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen agreement.

A Schengen visa is applied for at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country in which you will be spending the most nights on your trip to the Schengen space. If you are only visiting one country on your trip then you apply for your visa at the Consulate of this Schengen country.

Travel Insurance  

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Highlights  

Sail through the pristine waters of the Greek Islands aboard a yacht, savour traditional Greek food and wine, capture the ultimate Greek snapshot on Santorini, live it up on Mykonos, wander through whitewashed villages.

Group Leader Description  

A G Adventures skipper will be with the group throughout your journey. The aim of the skipper is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible, as well as taking complete charge of the sailing, your safety on board and the safety of the vessel. As this is a real sailing adventure, our skipper might also request your help on board and will be more than happy to impart some of their vast sailing knowledge during the course of the journey. Our skippers are all fully licensed with many years of experience sailing in the area. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and you can expect your skipper to have a broad general knowledge of the Greek Islands you will visit.

Emergency Contact  

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office, or our Assistant Head Skipper. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

Local Emergency Cell Phone:
+306946574957
+447979210103
+447487842737


If you are unable for any reason to contact us locally, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Outside North America, Australia and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Detailed Trip Notes  

Welcome on board!! We are happy that you have decided to be a guest on board our sailing yachts for your holidays. To make sure it's a real one of a kind experience, your skipper would like to give you some information about the things you'll come across on the yacht and on the trip as a whole. Don't worry, we won't make you spend your precious time on reading through too much information, simply enjoy it as a way to start your adventure from the comfort of home!

A Brief History of Yachting:
Known since the old Egyptian Empires, yachts were dedicated to the pleasure of their passengers in the exclusive and independent surroundings of a private floating holiday home. A long time before tourism discovered the indulgence of large steamboat cruises around 100 years ago, the wealthy sectors of societies were enjoying yachting in many different ways: cruising the Nile, sailing the Greek Islands or enjoying huge parties on board the Emperor Caligula's yachts in a lake south of Rome.

Fortunately, technology developed allowing us the opportunity to sail the oceans in smaller vessels. The yachts of today are constructed under the rules of hydrodynamics, defining the shape of the hull, the needs of stability and comfort. When only twenty years ago, running water and a stove were pure luxury on board a yacht, you'll find almost everything you need on your yachts today: electricity - though it's only 12V offshore and only sometimes 220V when we're moored, refrigerators, showers, hot water, music and much more.

But never forget: a yacht is always ‘on a budget balance'…budgeting and balancing room and weight with mobility and supplies for continued comfort. Each of our yachts comes fully equipped with the safety gear and instrumentation required by law to ensure you a safe and successful holiday.

The following are some technical terms for you to learn to help you orientate yourself when you arrive on board:

Boat
Hull: the ‘body' of the boat
Keel: stabilising part of the hull under the waterline to prevent capsizing
Deck: upper level of the boat
Cockpit: area in the back from where we are operating the boat
Bow: Forward area of the boat
Stern: Backward area of the boat
Helm: steering facility
Helmsman: Person at the helm, not necessarily the skipper
Starboard: right side of the boat looking forward from aft
Port (side): left side of the boat looking forward from aft
Rigg: all fixed equipment standing up above the deck
Mast: vertical massive pole to fix the sails
Boom: horizontal massive pole going backward from the mast
Mainsail: sail at the rear of the mast
Foresail/Genua/Headsail: sail in front of the mast
Fender: sort of ‘bumper' to avoid damage of the hull when moored
Winch: sort of drum to operate loaded lines or anchor chain
Beaufort: international scale for strength of winds, starting from 0 (lowest strength) up to 12 (highest strength)

Operations
Manoeuvre: changing the course of the boat or doing several operations
Tacking: turning the bow through the wind
Gibing: turning the stern through the wind
Round up: turning the boat exactly into the wind to stop moving
Fetch sth.: pulling tight a line
Ease sth.: detaching a line

Lines
There are only LINES on a boat, no ropes etc.
Most important ones:
Furling lines: to set and take away the sails
Sheets: to adjust the sails during sailing
Mooring lines: connecting the yacht to the peer
Ground lines: fixing the bow when moored ‘stern too' (the peer)

Knots
Figure-of-eight knot: belongs to the end of certain lines to avoid going by the run
Half hitch: easiest knot to fix a line somewhere, not very strong one
Clove hitch: famous knot to fix various lines like mooring, fender, etc.
Reef knot: used to connect two lines of same size to each other
More ambitious but often used:
Bowline: creating a strong and everlasting loop to a line

What to Take  

There is limited space on the yachts. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack. A good size daypack is also essential. PLEASE NOTE: No hard suitcases are permitted.

Meals Included  

No meals included

Group Size Notes  

Max 8

Transport  

15m (50 ft) sailing yacht.

Arrival Complications  

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your group leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Joining Hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Finishing Point Instructions  

In regard to booking onward travel for the last day of your Greek Islands Sailing Adventure, a flight time of 2pm or later is ideal as this will add further flexibility to your itinerary, however earlier flight times can be accommodated if necessary. If you have a very early flight time on the last day, please advise your skipper at the welcome meeting on Day 1.

Packing List  

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)

Essentials:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves

Marine:
• Drybag (Will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
• External battery pack
• Motion sickness tablets
• Sarong
• Snorkel gear (optional) (Only if own equipment is preferred.)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Dossier Disclaimer  

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Important Notes  

1. A NOTE ON THE ITINERARY: Please note that while it is our intention to adhere to the route described in the itinerary, there is a degree of flexibility built into the program and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. This itinerary may need to change due to inclement weather conditions. This decision will be made solely at your skipper's discretion, based on the safety of the group and the yacht. On Day 1 of your tour you will be advised of any amendments and should be prepared for possible further changes at the discretion of your skipper.

2. A NOTE REGARDING SMALL SPACES ON SAILBOATS/YACHTS: Please note that the rooming for our yacht adventures is done on a first-come, first-serve basis and no particular cabins or berths can be guaranteed. Our skippers will pair up guests who have booked together, or, if you are travelling solo, you will be paired with someone of the same gender. Please be aware that as this is a real yacht (sailboat) and NOT a cruise vessel, the space on board is tight. You will be sharing a small cabin with one of your fellow passengers or your travelling companion, and sharing the three bathrooms onboard. The sleeping quarters on board yachts are generally kept to a minimum size in order to maximize public space and performance. Some people are not comfortable with the type of close-quarter arrangements typically found on sailboats, however if a real sailing experience on a real sailboat is what you are after, then this adventure should more than make-up for the cramped living quarters. Please note that the skipper will also be sharing the ship's quarters and facilities with you and your fellow passengers.

3. COMBO TRIPS: Please note that this tour is a combination of several G Adventures tours. As such, your skipper, fellow passengers, or vessel may change between the individual tour sections.