Do something different this year with yacht charter from Athens

Pictures: Pexels

It’s no longer enough for the modern holidaymaker to board a plane and spend a week relaxing by the pool in some Spanish tourist resort. The modern tourist demands something different, something more exciting, something which can be found on a yachting holiday…

Interested? Good! Here, you can find out everything you need to know about chartering a yacht from Greece’s historic capital to explore some of the stunning islands and islets off the coast of the mainland.

Chartering a Yacht:

You might think that chartering a yacht for a holiday is something out of the realms of your budget and only available to celebrities. Fortunately, that isn’t the case as in recent years prices have come down enormously thanks to the emergence of Airbnb-style websites like Borrow a Boat.

Their website features over 35,000 yacht rentals to cater to almost every budget. Simply enter your location, choose the dates that you want to travel and you’ll have your pick of thousands of yacht and boat hires in Greece.

You can hire a boat for as little as £65 a day or push the boat out (pardon the pun) by renting out the 176-foot long Persefoni for just under £30,000 a day!

Yachting from Athens: Route

There are plenty of routes you can take from Athens on a yachting holiday that will give you the perfect balance of culture, sun, and sea. Then of course there’s the possibility of ignoring the beaten path and picking out your own route altogether.

If you’re struggling for inspiration though, why not try out the following itinerary, carefully planned out to provide you with a holiday to remember:

Day 1: Athens to Aegina

After spending a couple of days in Athens acclimatising to the heat and taking in some of the sights, it’s time to set sail for your first destination – Aegina. Situated just 15 miles southwest of the capital, Aegina is the perfect place to take stock and build up on provisions for your onward journey.

Whilst here make sure to visit the famous fruit boats along the quay and take a trip to the temple of Aphaia. Built around 500BC, the stunning remains give you an insight into life in Ancient Greece as well as providing stunning views over the Saronic Gulf.

Day 2: Aegina to Poros

The following day you’ll set sail 13 miles south to experience the Greece that you’ve read about and seen on TV at Poros. Sailing past the dormant volcano of Methana, you’ll port at the entrance to Russian Bay where you can swim in the crystal clear waters.

Further inland at Poros Town you’ll experience the very best of traditional Greek culture. The town is jam-packed with pretty tavernas, quaint little shops, and food stalls.

Here’s what you can expect from Poros Town.

Day 3: Poros to Palaia Epidavros

During the Trojan War, the harbour of Palaia Epidavros was a strategic hub, providing over two dozen ships for the war effort. Nearly 3,000 years on the port is no longer playing an important role in war, instead, it is a fishing hub.

The main draw for tourists here though is the sanctuary of Asklepios, a huge 10,000 person amphitheatre that gives you an awe-inspiring insight into the past of this historic site.

Day 4: Palaia Epidavros to Korfos

After a day of exploring ancient sites and ruins it’s time to kick off your walking boots and relax in Porfos, just a 12-mile sail from Epidavros. Anchor your boat just off the coast and you can sit with a book on deck and wait patiently for the often spotted local dolphins to make an appearance.

In the evening head ashore to try out the local delicacies in one of Korfos’ many seafood tavernas.

Day 5: Korfos to Agistri

It’s another day of sun, sea, and relaxation for you but this time on a slightly larger scale on the quiet but enchanting island of Agistri. Ever looked on with envy on social media as friends or family take videos of white-washed houses on a Greek Island?

Well now’s your chance to make them jealous by making videos of your own. After doing that you can take to a secluded, white-washed beach to relax and recharge your batteries.

Here are 10 things to do on Agistri, the so-called ‘Paradise Island’.

Day 6: Agistri to Perdika

On your return back to Athens you can head back to Aegina or stop over at Perdika instead. During the day you can relax and chill out in the quiet streets of Pedrika or head out to the nearby Moni Island which is an uninhabited nature reserve.

In the evening you can really let your hair down in Perdika and experience the village’s famous non-stop nightlife.

Day 7: Perdika to Athens

With a heavy heart it’s time to end your Greek Odyssey and whilst your trip may not have been as fraught with danger and drama as Odysseus’ you will, at the end have grown and improved yourself spiritually and culturally.