Athens

Athens is a fantastic stepping stone to the Saronic Islands, though we   wish that could be said of the primary recreational marina in Athens - Alimos Marina. Government owned, Alimos does suffer from under  investment in the number of berths and quality of the facilities so we do recommend getting out of there as soon as you can.

If you do plan on getting out of the marina on the first day please do let us know as the lack of berths necessitates rafting in the marina.

Kea

Located in the north west Aegean, Kea is one of the largest islands of the Cyclades, with stunning beaches, plenty of archaeological sites to visit and lovely traditional villages. Kea is a walker’s paradise, with an extensive network of ancient paths for those wanting to explore by foot. Wander through the island’s beautiful landscape, past olive trees, fruit trees, almond trees and oak trees. Head to the south side of Nikolaos Bay to the port of Korissia where you’ll find the remains of the ancient town walls and a Sanctuary of Apollo. Unspoilt by tourism, Kea is an authentic Greek destination with some of the best restaurants in Greece, serving traditional local fare. Nestled in a valley of trees is Pisses, our favourite beach. It is an excellent spot for snorkelling and the best place for a late afternoon swim while the sun sets over the horizon.

Kythnos

South east of Kea lies the island of Kythnos, an island unspoiled by tourism and very ‘Greek’ in every aspect. Attracting mostly Greek tourists due to its lack of commercialism, the locals here are very friendly and hospitable and the pace of life is slow. While the landscape is largely rocky and barren, the summer months bring out an abundance of colourful flowers and there's a stark beauty in the harsh mountainous terrain peppered with figs, vines and goats.

There are lovely sandy beaches, some only accessible by boat so this is the perfect place to get away from the crowds and find a beach to yourself. If you wander ashore you will find whitewashed houses, windmills, blue-domed churches and a way of life which seems to have remained unchanged for centuries. Kythnos is where you will find a taste of the ‘real Greece’, untouched by mass tourism and uncrowded even at the height of the season.

Sifnos

The island of Sifnos is a mountainous island which has been inhabited since 3000BC.  Sifnos is steeped in history, in ancient times Sifnos was a very wealthy island due to the islands gold and silver mines, production ceased either because the mines were flooded or they had worked it all out., there are also 365 churches on the island (not sure you’ll manage to visit all of them!) and several monasteries dotted around the island.  Today Sifnos is still producing pottery, with unique jars and pots acting as a trademark for the island.

A surprisingly green island for the Cyclades, Sifnos offers a good variety of peace and quiet and things to do. Even though it is a popular island, both amongst Greeks and foreigners, it has kept its originality and is resisting the commercialisation many other islands have suffered

Folegandros

Folegandros is a picturesque island, with charming windmills, Cycladic style houses and the crystal blue of the Aegean Sea which creates a truly breathtaking landscape that attracts a huge number of visitors each year.
You will find a great selection of traditional restaurants and tavernas where you can sample some very tasty cuisine, including some local dishes.
Folegandros hasn’t been impacted by mass tourism and still holds its traditions and character which only adds to the charm of the island.

Santorini

The most southern of the Cyclades Islands, Santorini (also known as Thira) is among the most well-known, with its spectacular landscape, dramatic cliffs and brilliant whitewashed buildings clinging to the  volcanic rock. Once a single island, Santorini today is a circular  archipelago of islands as a result of an enormous volcanic eruption over 3,600 years ago in the late bronze age. Volcanic ash and pumice buried the island, one of the most prosperous pre-historic settlements of the period and for this reason Santorini has been linked with the myth of the lost city of Atlantis. Fira, the capital of Santorini, is located above the old port on the western side of the island. It is famous for its stunning views out across the Aegean Sea and here you will find all the typical Cycladic whitewashed houses with blue roofs, narrow alleyways and winding stairs. Sunsets on the island are unforgettable and Santorini has long been known as a romantic destination. The approach by sea is breathtaking, with most yachts entering the caldera from the north west. The Vlichada marina on the southern tip of Santorini is the best place to leave your boat while you explore this beautiful island.

Paros

Paros is located in the heart of the Cyclades and is the third largest Cycladic island after Naxos and Andros. It is a very popular tourist destination, attracting people with its exquisite sandy beaches, traditional villages, whitewashed houses covered in bougainvillea and historic chapels. It is known for its excellent nightlife in Naoussa, one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the island. The mountains of Paros produce the best white marble in the world and most of the ancient Greek masterpieces were made from Paros’ fine marble, including Venus de Milo and the Parthenon.