Athens to Santorini Seven day Itinerary

We will meet at 17:00 at the skippers bar. There will a table reserved for you as per the meeting instructions. You will meet your skipper and get acquainted with the rest of your travel mates. Your skipper will give a brief explanation regarding the trip. You well then go to the yacht to unpack and you will be acquainted with your yacht, safety procedures.  You will then have time to pick up supplies for the super market across the street. The evening can be spent either at one of the local restaurants, the beach front or just strolling around the marina.

After breakfast we will set sail for the beautiful island of Kea. Before arriving to Kea we will anchor in the beautiful bay of CapeSounion. There you can either lie back for a swim or visit the temple of Poseidon. Upon arriving in Kea we will moor in the harbor of Vorkari. A small fishing village located close to the capital. For those who prefer to walk the island offers 36 kms of foot paths which 65% are cobblestone. Most these paths date back to ancient times from 7 – 6 BC.  Today, some of these footpaths have developed tourist and are ideal for long walks. Along the road, are signs showing the way.

Routes you can follow are:
1) Ioulida – Leon – Dosonari – Diaselli – Otzias (length: 5.100m).
2) Ioulida – Agios Konstantinos – Mylopotamos – Flea – Korissia (length: 3.100m).
3) Ioulida – Mesaria – Prophet Elia – Astra – Ellinika – Agios Simeon – Karthea (length: 11.850m.).
4) Moni Episkopis – Sotira – Parameria – Tria Maderika – Sikamia (length: 4.450m.).
5) Katomeria – Kalodouka – Pigi Vathipotamou (length: 3.150m.).
6) Stavroudaki – Pigi Vathipotamou – Karthea (length: 2.300m.).
7) Harvouna – Agios Taxiarhis – Pigadaki – Kaliskia – Karthea (length: 1.700m.)
Each one of these routes has historic-archaeological interest. Apart from natural beauties, you will have the chance to see part of the island’s cultural inheritance. Paths lead to the remains of ancient cities and help those having imagination to travel in the past and admire it with awe.

Will enjoy our breakfast on board in the lovely bay of Vourkaris and then set sail for Syros. We will stop in a nice bay on the way to snorkel, fish and prepare a light lunch and maybe see a few dolphins.
We will then set sail for Syros. Depending on weather conditions we will either moor in the main harbor of Syros which is called Hermoupolis or in the small fishing village in the bay of Foinikas.  A hilly, mostly barren island. The northern side is rugged and mostly uninhabited while the southern has gentler slopes and is cultivated near the cost. Most of the population lives in Ermoupolis, the port and also the nominal capital of all Cyclades. Nothing much remains of ancient Syros which was sited where Ermoupolis now stands. In the middle Ages the inhabitants moved island until the Venetians, ever mindful of the potential of the harbor and the strategic position of Syros along the Aegean trade route, occupied the island and restored its prosperity. In the17th century the island came under the protection of the French and so escaped Turkish occupation.
Syros is famous for its churches and  Loukoumi, a Tourkish Delight which here is excellent and cannot be confused with some of the sickly-sweet imitations made elsewhere. Spend your late afternoon exploring the hundreds of churches, the museum of Cycladic art or just sipping an afternoon ouzo.

DAY FOUR – After breakfast we will go for supplies for our barbeque lunch on the beach. We will then set sail for the inhabited island of Rinia. We will enjoy the day on the beach, and preparing for our afternoon barbeque.  After we hoist our sails for a short trip across to the island of Mykonos.
his bare, but splendid island, where beautiful churches seem to sprout all over, has become a legendary holiday resort for movie stars, famous artists, intellectuals and anyone who is a member of the jet set. But, in spite of its many tourist attractions and its crazy night life, it also offers many isolated spots and incredible beaches, where you can enjoy its beauty undisturbed. From the architectural point of view only the Hora (main town ) is of particular interest. Nevertheless, Ano Mera the island’s sole village apart from Hora and the new small summer settlements built on protected coves are worth a look. These include Ormos, Ai-Giannis, Agios Stefanos, Tourlos and Platys Gialos. Spend the afternoon visiting the many attractions of Mykonos listed below:
Petros the Pelican - An old celebrity of the town's waterfront, "Petro" has been the official mascot of Mykonos for many years. Found after a storm in 1954 the pelican gave up its migrating to become a local resident. After more than thirty years of making the island his home, Petro eventually died. The loss of such a personality was so deeply felt by both Mykonian and tourist alike that a replacement was soon found and a tradition established. Through the care and protection of the islanders, the spirit of Petro lives on in his predecessor who continues to this day to make his home on the island's waterfront.
Windmills - From as early as the 16th century one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos have been its windmills. Due to its geographic position, Mykonos was situated on major sea trade-route which at one time joined Venice, the gateway of Europe, to Asia. The need to refine grain and compact it for transport combined with an ample year round supply of wind made Mykonos the perfect location. Easy access to the harbour was necessary so most of the island's mills were positioned in or around the main port with the highest concentration covering the entire western portion of town. With the coming of industrialization the windmills importance began to decline as well as their numbers. Today only a fraction remains of what was once an active era in :Mykonian history.
Little Venice- Where the most western part of the town meets the sea is the area known as "Little Venice". Here the buildings have been constructed right on the sea's edge with their balconies overhanging the water. During the 16th and 17th century pirating was common and it is believed this area was used for the necessary quick loading and unloading of goods.
Paraportiani - One of the most famous architectural structures in Greece is the church,  Paraportiani. Positioned near the main harbour entrance, this church is the central feature of the "Kastro" or castle area, the oldest section of town. It's name means inner or secondary door which it was to the Medieval stone walls which encircled the area. First begun in 1475, Paraportiani in reality is a group of five smaller churches which were constructed over a period of time and not completed until well into the 17th century. The two story structure was moulded together utilizing four of its churches to form a base for the fifth church which when placed on top formed a central domed roof.
 ArchaeologicalMuseum - Located adjacent to the town's commercial harbour this museum houses marble sculptures, ceramics and jewellery, recovered from the islands of Delos, Renia and Mykonos.  Included in this collection is a large ceramic vase dated 7th century BC which shows the oldest graphic record of the Trojan horse.

DAY FIVE – After breakfast you have free time to continue exploring the island around noon time we will set sail and explore theisland of Delos. Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, full of ruined houses, temples, statues and mosaics, such as the sanctuary of Delos, the theatre district, the sanctuaries of foreign gods and the archaeological museum. After exploring Delos we head off to the beautiful island of Paros.
Paros is famous for its sparkling blue waters, its dazzling sunlight and its marble, this island has  become a permanent home of many artists. Visit the charming main port of Paros, with the semi ruined Venetian castle; it’s well kept homes, and its many impressive churches.
While in Paros take time to see Church of Ekatontapliani  ("Our Lady of a Hundred Doors") in Parikia just 200 m from the port. The most imposing church in the Cyclades and one of the most important in Greece, approx. 1.600 years old. On the 15th of August its nameday (a public holiday) is celebrated with a lot of festivities. Actually they are three churches in one, and legends rank about the fact that only 99 doors have been counted.
For those who want to spend the late afternoon watching the sun set – take the local bus to the village of Naoussa but be prepared when the sun goes down. Naoussa is also full of great clubs, bars and cafes that are housed in old fishermen’s storage areas. Some of the most popular nightlife venues in Naoussa are Agosta, Barbarossa and Café del Mar, which are cafes in the morning and bars in the evening. Vareladiko Club is the place where Greek music lovers go, while Nostos is a mainstream club with beautiful island-style décor.
Paros is also well known for windsurfing and is considered by many as one of the best spots in the Greek islands.
Paros as most of the islands in the Cyclades, offers ideal weather conditions. For that reasons, Paros was chosen by the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) and each year, since 1993, the beach of New Golden Beach welcomes the World Cup.
It is the only professional race in Greece and its takes place in early August.
There are plenty of windsurfing areas all over the island and some of them are fully organised, proposing rentals and courses

After breakfast we will sail off to the island of Ios. Ios has plenty of facilities for its crowds. It became a legend in the 70s, a hippy’s paradise with lots of bars, beach bars, nudist beaches and an exotic nightlife. Ios is suppose to be the burial place of Homer. On an island renowned for its beaches, the best are, Mylopota, the string of sandy coves at Manganari bay and in the north-east and Psathi , with its engaging taverna on the hill above.
According to Herodotus, Ios was the home of Homer mother Clymene, and the burial place for Homer. On 15th of May each year, the Homer festival -Homeria takes place in IosIsland and a flame is carried from the port to his tomb in Plakoto. 
There are many things to see in Ios apart for its nightlife. First of all, a day walk around the lovely narrow streets of the beautiful Hora is a must, as is a stop at Panaghia Gremiotissa, on the highest point of the village, to enjoy the magnificent view.
On the eastern side of Ios island, on top of a small hill at Paleokastro, are the remains of a 10th century marble Venetian castle, surrounding a lovely Byzantine chapel.
A nice footpath above Psathi offers a 15 minutes agreeable walk to this interesting site.
The windmills and the beautiful amphitheatre Odysseas Elytis, on the top of Hora constitute a nice excursion and walk and offer a panoramic view of Mylopotas.
A road from the windmills mark the direction for Homer’s tomb in the north, nearby Plakoto; at the end of the road, a footpath leads up the hill where several graves dating from the Hellenistic period among which is supposed to be the grave of the great Greek epic poet Homer
Taxi-boats daily leave from Ormos for a day excursion to ManganariBeach, a great destination and place to enjoy a peaceful day and eat at one of the excellent taverns.
 

After our party night in Ios and perhaps a little coffee and breakfast we sail for the jewel of Cyclades.therwise known asThira, this volcanic island is truly unique. Human presences on the island seem to have existed since the middle of the 3rd millennium B.C. The excavations at Akrotiri have confirmed that human activity on the island continued until the eruption of the volcano  around 1500 B.C, which entirely buried the island beneath very thick layers of pozzuolona, At that point, all traces of human activity vanished from the island until the end of the 13th century B.C. According to Herodotus, the island was initially called Strongyle (the Round One). Then later, because of its beauty, it was named Kalliste (the Fairest One). The Phoenicians settled in Kalliste, and after the Phoenicians, the Lacedaemonians arrived and renamed the island after their leader, Theras. In the 9th century B.C. Thera, became an important stopping point of that era in the travel routes between the East and the West. The Phoenician alphabet was adopted at this time for writing in the Greek language. Interestingly though, the conservative Therans, did not follow the cultural development of their counterparts in the other Cycladic islands. At about 630 B.C the Therans reached the north coast of the African continent where they founded Cyrene, the only Theran colony. From as early on as the 6th century B.C. Thera had its own coinage. During the Classical period in Greece [5th and 4th century B.C.] Thera did not play any significant role in the events of that Hellenic time. During the Peloponesian War Thera sided with Sparta, as expected. In Hellenistic times the island's strategic position made Thera an important base for the war campaigns in the Aegean of the successors to Alexander the Great.
After our swim we will moor in Marina Vlichada. We will take the bus from Vlichada to visit the main town “Fira