Sailing trips in Greece

Beer, the ultimate Greek summer drink

2019-05-30T15:21:53.626000Z

Cold beer served in frozen glasses while you enjoy the sunset view from a sailboat.

Cold beer served when you are in a beach bar on a Greek island. For sure a pleasant experience.

A great variety of beer is available for the visitors of Greece. Beers for the sophisticated guests who looking for special selections. A guest that can appreciate what they drink.

Choose among Greek beers. Greek beers guarantee a full flavor that reveals the nature and the quality of the country. Pass by the light, mainstream beers produced by multinational companies. Discover small and distinctive Greek beer companies.

Type of beers

Blonde, dark, brown, red …. Whatever you choose, you should remember that beer is a wild drink. It is wild drink not because when you open a bottle of beer the froth bursts but because of the way we make it. All kinds of beer are the result of a storm or of the fermentation which turns the glucose into alcohol.

Different rates of fermentation lead to different types of beer. Lager, Pils, Weiss, Ale are some kind of beers.

Lager beer is an ideal choice for the hot summer days or nights. Fresh aromas, balanced taste, and a cool sense are the assets of this type of beer.
A more bitter variety or a pils/pilsener beer is also a good choice. Full of esters, a more complicated flavor leaves in the mouth a floweriest and fruit’s aftertaste.
We produce an ale beer by high fermentation. You feel an intense fruit flavor, rich, full of flora that gives the identity of the place where produced.
Black beer is a strong beer made by roasted malt.

What is the best Greek beer?

Whatever you choose to have in mind that the Greek brewery covers all preferences. Taste a local beer and season your vacation time with new gastronomic experiences. A Greek beer combined with Greek plates on a beautiful place can give you a superior experience.

All Greek beers inspired by Greek nature and follow a certain philosophy. They are looking for a way to keep the Greek tradition alive through new, high quailed products.

Here are some beers we propose to visitors of Greece to taste :

‘Nissos’, an award-winning beer from Tinos an island in the Cyclades. Among the varieties of NISSOS beer is NISSOS PILSNER. You can find also ‘7 Beaufort Strong Dark Pilsner’ named by the strong winds of Tinos, Delos, and Mykonos.
‘7 islands Bare Handed’: an imperial stout beer, well matured, with 11% alcohol and very rich aroma.
‘Septem Kleos’: an epic beer. Matured with a flavor of roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and cherry. An extraordinary beer which does credit to its name (kleos in Greek means glory)
‘Delfi triple’: a double fermentation beer which bottled only in 1200 bottles. A beer for the demanding drinkers.
‘White mountains’: this Triple Hop Pale Ale beer, is the result of a combination of Greek passion and great ingredients. With the Belgian recipe made in Crete. Honey, orange flavor and a distinct bitterness offer a cool and fresh drink. Ideal for a relaxed night with friends.

Make your time in Greece a time that matters and a time to remember. Give food to all your senses and create a completely personal event that will last forever.

Beer, the ultimate Greek summer drink

2019-05-30T15:22:05.432000Z

Cold beer served in frozen glasses while you enjoy the sunset view from a sailboat.

Cold beer served when you are in a beach bar on a Greek island. For sure a pleasant experience.

A great variety of beer is available for the visitors of Greece. Beers for the sophisticated guests who looking for special selections. A guest that can appreciate what they drink.

Type of beers

Different rates of fermentation lead to different types of beer. Lager, Pils, Weiss, Ale are some kind of beers.

Lager beer is an ideal choice for the hot summer days or nights. Fresh aromas, balanced taste, and a cool sense are the assets of this type of beer.
A more bitter variety or a pils/pilsener beer is also a good choice. Full of esters, a more complicated flavor leaves in the mouth a floweriest and fruit’s aftertaste.
We produce an ale beer by high fermentation. You feel an intense fruit flavor, rich, full of flora that gives the identity of the place where produced.
Black beer is a strong beer made by roasted malt.

What is the best Greek beer?

All Greek beers inspired by Greek nature and follow a certain philosophy. They are looking for a way to keep the Greek tradition alive through new, high quailed products.

Here are some beers we propose to visitors of Greece to taste :

‘Nissos’, an award-winning beer from Tinos an island in the Cyclades. Among the varieties of NISSOS beer is NISSOS PILSNER. You can find also ‘7 Beaufort Strong Dark Pilsner’ named by the strong winds of Tinos, Delos, and Mykonos.
‘7 islands Bare Handed’: an imperial stout beer, well matured, with 11% alcohol and very rich aroma.
‘Septem Kleos’: an epic beer. Matured with a flavor of roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and cherry. An extraordinary beer which does credit to its name (kleos in Greek means glory)
‘Delfi triple’: a double fermentation beer which bottled only in 1200 bottles. A beer for the demanding drinkers.
‘White mountains’: this Triple Hop Pale Ale beer, is the result of a combination of Greek passion and great ingredients. With the Belgian recipe made in Crete. Honey, orange flavor and a distinct bitterness offer a cool and fresh drink. Ideal for a relaxed night with friends.

Make your time in Greece a time that matters and a time to remember. Give food to all your senses and create a completely personal event that will last forever.

An atmospheric journey in Amorgos

2019-05-30T15:19:49.339000Z

A DAY TOUR ON THE ISLAND OF AMORGOS IN THE CYCLADES.

An island almost mythical. We start today an atmospheric journey.

It is the island of Amorgos with its endless blue, Amorgos with its energy fields, its glittering light, and its poetic beauty.

The island of Amorgos, the birthplace of the poetry and the poet Nikos Gatsos, and of ordinary people.

Located on the south end of the Cyclades but in the heart of the Aegean Archipelagos. A day tour on one of the special islands of Greece.

7: oo am.

As the day’s first-day boat departs from Aegiali, heading West towards the Cyclades and Piraeus. We guess on the faces of the passengers the possible end of their vacation, and this sweet fatigue that leaves you a nice trip when it reaches its end. However, our day tour in Amorgos just begun.

8:40 am, South East of Cyclades

Amorgos, it is said that it took its name from the "Amorgis" plant as a kind of flax with which Amorgos tunics were made off. It is located at the north end of the Cyclades, after Naxos and the Small Cyclades. With two natural harbors, Katapola and Aegiali, and an incredibly beautiful "hora", one of the most beautiful of the Cyclades, Amorgos seem to intersect the Aegean Sea and its vastness.

9:35 am, the Amorgian Pastel

We start our day with a sweet the traditional Amorgian pasteli and a Greek coffee of course.

Amorgos is famous for some traditional and favorite products such as pasteli, rose-sugar, raki, raki …

Rose Sugar is a unique product made from wild rose petals that bloom in May that are kneaded with sugar and lemon. Pastel is made with honey and sesame seeds. It is the sweet offered on lemon balm, in case of baptism and celebrations, always accompanied with raki.

10:42 am, the "Captain Morgan" of the Cyclades

The French love Amorgos and Amorgos the French. In this long-lasting relationship of love and mutual respect, the story of Bertrand stands out. Bertrand from Amorgos made a long journey to almost all the world to return with his boat to Amorgos. Today he organizes cruises with a traditional-boat in the Aegean, which he considers the best place for such trips.

12:15 pm, a bit closer to God.

Visit the monastery of Ag. Georgios of Valsamitis.

A point where ancient times, Orthodoxy, a famous watermill, the god Apollo, Saint George, the water that foretells what will happen in the future, and the constant search for the truth, exist altogether. In the 8th century, an icon was found at that point and so a monastery was built. Today it is a place of spiritual uplifting, tranquility, serenity and internal search.

13:30 pm A long journey in the "chora"

The capital of the island, "chora" of Amorgos features the classic Cycladic beauty with narrow, cobbled streets, whitewashed two-storey houses, arches, and countless churches. The picture is completed with immaculate white, crystal nearly blue sky and the loud, warm colors of the bougainvillea.

All of these are known and beloved in our Cycladic color palette.

Another characteristic is the typical hill with windmills, which gaze out over the Aegean Sea, while people’s lives in the streets take this time a nice, leisurely pace.

A big contradiction if you consider the years of pirate raids. These winding, narrow streets, this maze of the "chora" served then to escape of inhabitants, who ran and lost in here to escape from the pirates.

14:45 pm, Meeting with the history

A visit to the folk museum, where the island’s historical archives are hosted. This archive has been collected over many decades and has been digitized in recent years. The archive has documents from 300 years ago.

In the documents, it is reflected the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the island and the changes that intervened during the centuries. Important historical facts and figures about the older picture of Amorgos are also on these pages of files. You can even find recorded, natural phenomena and disasters affecting the landscape but also the economy – society of the island.

15:45 pm, St Anne and the Virgin Mary of Hozoviotissa

Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and the Virgin Mary symbolically meets here on the East side of the island.

We are talking about the famous little chapel of St. Anne and the famous beach, with fantastically aquamarine colors of the water that formed the natural backdrop for the movie of Luc Mpesson "Big Blue". The Ag. Anna looks like it is here in an ongoing conversation with the monastery of Virgin Mary of Hozoviotissa, which stands for nine centuries perched up there on the steep slope.

Amorgos is famous for its hiking trails. The most famous route is the climb to the monastery of Hozoviotissa, 300 stairs and many stopovers to enjoy this sensational view that is breathtaking. Stand here, and admire the vastness of the world in one of the biggest and nicest balconies.

16:20 pm, Facing the Aegean Sea, seeking God

Built in defiance of the landscape, and at the same time extolling the greatness of the world, hooked on steep rocks, the monastery of Hozoviotissa looks poised as a miracle.

It seems to balance on a thin rope that separates the material world from the spiritual Hymn to human will, and faith. Almost against natural laws, a meteor in the Aegean. Meteor as the thousands of unanswered questions of mankind. The monastery was built in 1088 and the occasion for its inauguration was to find the icon of the Virgin Mary who arrived here from Hozhova in Palestine, a place near the Holy Land and Jericho.

An island, an immense blue embrace, and a miraculous place that affects the soul of the people

18:30 pm, the Vespers, and the Castle

We return to the "chora" and is already the hour of Vespers.

Visit then the many churches in the "chora" and we are heading towards the Castle that dominates on the rock in the middle of the village.

It is there since the 13th century. It is a Venetian building. At the top of the cliff will lead you a steep staircase built on the north side, while to exit the Castle you pass first from the chapel of Ag. George. From the Castle now the view is panoramic and reaches up to Naxos, the small Cyclades, and Ios island. From this point, the inhabitants could control the sea of Naxos and Astypalaia.

21:45 pm,

"Amorgiano mou perasma»

Stop at the coffee shop with traditional music played by young musicians. Amorgos is famous for the revels organized at every opportunity…

Visit Amorgos with a private charter.

Amorgos by poet N. Gatsos

To a green star
Evil witnesses to men are eyes and ears if they have barbarian souls.
HERACLITUS

With their country strapped to the sails their oars suspended in the wind
the shipwrecked slept tame as dead beasts on sheets of sponges
but the eyes of the seaweed are turned to the sea
lest the south wind bear them back with new-dyed sails
and a lost elephant is always worth a little more than the two breasts of a
trembling girl.
only let the roofs of ruined mountain chapels light up with desire for the
evening star
let the birds come in waves to the masts of the lemon trees
with the strong white gasps of new steps
and then the winds will come the bodies of swans that remain mild unsoiled
still
into the steamrollers of shops in the cyclones of cabbage patches
when the eyes of the women became dark and the hearts of the chestnut
sellers broke
when the harvest was stopped and the hopes of the crickets began.

Movies shot in the Greek isles

2019-05-30T15:19:49.552000Z

International cinema in the Greek islands

The unique Greek landscape is in itself the ideal backdrop for cinematic productions with varied content. Greece, of course, is identified abroad with the sun, the sea, the Greek lifestyle, the excitement, the good food and the hospitality of the locals. All the above refer to the Greek islands, which since the 60’s have begun to be used as a space in which important international cinema films have evolved, which owe their authenticity, success, and recognition to the Mediterranean landscapes. These films contributed significantly to the acquaintance of Greek islands by foreign visitors and to the creation of the Greek mythical summer that never ends.

The most important and most famous of these films are the following:

"BOY ON A DOLPHIN",(1957)

"Boy on a dolphin" was the first film of international production ever shot in Greece specifically in Hydra, starring Sofia Lauren, Alan Ladd and Clifton Webb. The film was a landmark for the island which after the film made it a land of attraction for thousands of tourists and especially a place of holiday and residence of artists and intellectuals of that period. The cinematographic scene where Sofia Lauren sings the song "What is Love" is one of the highlights of the movie.

"BIG BLUE" AMORGOS BY LUC BESSON (1988)

The title conveys all the feel of the film and the sense of the island of Amorgos. Wonderful underwater shots that create a magical image that glorifies the Mediterranean and the importance of true friendship.

Luc Besson with these features created a monumental, mysterious movie for all time. The beach of "Agia Anna" in Amorgos will be for the whole world after this movie the blue summer we will always recover.

"MEDITERRANEO", (1991)

Italian film honored with an Oscar-winning film. The entire film is filmed in Kastelorizo, a landscape that is actively involved in the film’s affair and atmosphere. The beauties of the island are masterfully presented and make up a unique setting for the film.

"CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN",(2001)

In 2001, the island that has been honored by American cinema is Cephalonia. The case takes place during the Great War and finds on the island the most authentic scene that her director could dream of. Major actors in the main roles (Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz), beautiful natural landscapes ensured success and made the island of the Ionian known.

"ZORBA THE GREEK" (1964),

Zorbas The already well-known novel by N. Kazantzakis, which translated with great success into many foreign languages, became a well-known American film in 1964. The film unfolds in the village of Stavros, Chania. There, on a beach, we watch Anthony Quinn as Zorba dancing the Syrtaki in music by M. Theodorakis, which will become the most famous Greek music ever since. The Lady Kedrova Oscar also belongs to the parchments of the podium. After the film, the name Zorbas will represent anything Greek and will become the symbol of the completely unaltered spirit. Outstanding and the interpretation of Alan Bates, who is the hero on the opposite side of Zorba.

"SHIRLEY VALENTINE", (1989)

Mykonos for Shirley Valentine (1989. The name of the housewife of the film that will become synonymous with the joy of life and love thanks to a trip to Mykonos. Thus, the famous nightlife island, the cosmopolitan environment, the exuberance and the absolute summer of Greece will find its most suitable exponent. Tom Conti will now be the best Greek, traditional figure and fantasy of all the housewives of the world. The tavern that stars in the movie on the beach of Ag. John.

"NAVARONE CANNONS",(1961)

One of the world’s second classical films starring Anthony Quinn. The old town of Rhodes is the perfect scene of the film in which some of the most important monuments of the island are displayed. The film is classical and its success was sealed with an Oscar nomination and an Oscar for the best effects. Later, the international audience will be reminded of Rhodes through Roger Moore, TellySavalas, Claudia Cardinale, Jaqueline Bisset, Ben Kingsley starring in films filmed on the island.

"FOR YOUR EYES ONLY", (1981)

Corfu with its cultural monuments, its historic mysterious atmosphere, and its golden beaches, was the ideal setting for an adventure by the most famous cosmopolitan cinema agent. Greek beauty is revealed by the beauty that the agent falls in love with and the sights of the island. Roger Moore even disclaims his favorite martini cocktail for the sake of Corfiot wine drinking on a movie scene at the imposing beautiful Theotoki winery.

"SUMMER LOVERS", (1982)

Darryl Hanah and Peter Gallaher as new gods of love live in the most magical place of summer erotic adventures on the background of the Santorini caldera. The sunset and the view from various parts of the island make the island a well-known place of destination for all lovers.

"LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE", (2003)

Lara croft tomb raider: the cradle of life (2003) In 2003, Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft is at the peak of her glory, and Santorini takes off with her on some scenes of the film that makes a difference. The magical image of the caldera steals the show and Santorini rises to the top of the most impressive islands in the world.

"MAMMA MIA!", (2008)

It is really Skopelos! It’s about transferring Broadway’s musical to the big screen. The story is placed in Skiathos and brings the Sporades in the spotlight; viewers discover a different beauty away from the images that are accustomed to the Cyclades. Throughout the film, the exterior dominates by presenting a unique setting of beautiful beaches, chapels, and coves. The case is framed by ABBA’s classic songs that are greatly supported by Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Amanda Seyfried starring. Nothing is like the Greek Kalokeri of the film.

"THE IMMATURE", 2014

Italian film was filmed entirely in Paros, which is for the protagonists the place of escape from the tiring everyday life. Together we watch a panorama of Paros with the beaches, the villages that capture the beauty of the island and carry the Cycladic scents and the sense of the holiday.

Sailing trips Greece

Greek Water Yachts

Skippered sailing vacations in Greece

2017-01-13T07:47:26.330000Z

Endless hours on the beach, overlooking the blue horizon, the night sky and stars. Early in the morning a cup of coffee, pyjamas as swimwear and then dive to the “big blue". Only you and your mate, in secluded bays, and yet in the most popular islands. The sailing holidays are a way of life, which however can be followed by all.

Let’s start our sailing trip from Paros Island. The advantage of Paros lies in the fact that Paros is located exactly at the center of the Cyclades with so many islands around, thus making your cruising vacations in Greece an ideal option.

This gives you the opportunity to sail out every day, no matter where the wind blows from, making your islands hopping a dream.

There are so many choices and so many anchorages to stay even in very rough conditions, that sailing is safe and enjoyable even for relatively inexperienced crews.

Day 1: Set sail around Paros for your first destination, Naxos. Depending on the weather conditions it’s going to take 3-4 hours sailing. Naxos is one of the biggest islands of the Cyclades with great interest and many sights. Don’t miss the sunset at the ancient temple of Apollo, just a few meters away from the marina. Grilled octopus with “ouzo" is a “must" here.

Day 2: Today set sail south following the west coast of Naxos ending up in the southernmost of the island, at Kalando bay. In the mid way we will stop at a nice anchorage, Roga, for swimming and lunch. Kalando is a special place. It is not a village, but it offers a perfect shelter for the yacht. It’s an isolated area with a long sandy beach and many kilometers of trails by the seaside, ideal for hiking in the pure nature. For dinner a kiosk run by a local shepherd offers BBQ only with local products. Don’t expect luxuries here. Undoubtedly, it’s going to be your favorite place at the end.

Day 3: Set sail from Kalando heading for Koufonisi. A short stop at a wonderful spot, called Rina, where you can swim inside a sea cave. Amazing colors everywhere.Koufonisi by far the most beautiful of the small Cyclades islands with many sandy beaches all around. Rent a bicycle and visit all of them. Dinner at “Captain Nicolas" place is out of any kind of negotiation as well as a frozen mojito at the windmill bar just above the marina.

Day 4: If the wind is strong, stay in the area visiting the nearby island of Kato Koufonisi and swim in the crystal clear waters, snorkelling or go hiking around. The area is very protected from big waves because the huge island of Naxos to the north blocks the wind in order to make our life on board more comfortable. In the afternoon return to the same marina in Pano Koufonisi.

In case that the weather permits set sail to Amorgos, the island of the “Big blue" movie. Rent a car or a bike here to explore the wild beauty of this heaven. Visit the famous monastery with the breath taken view from its balcony and try “rakomelo", the local alcohol drink. Dinner at “Xilokeratidi" is going to be a memorable romantic event by the seaside.

Day 5: Iraklia is another island of the “Minor Cyclades" which is worth to be visited especially for those who want to experience tiny, quiet, cute and isolated places, representative of the Greek spirit. So after a short stop for swimming at Antikeros on our way from Amorgos to Iraklia we will end up at the picturesque port of the island.

Here you can swim to the nearby beach, diving from the yacht and hiking around enjoying the pure nature. Dinner at Iraklia means fresh fish and the local tavernas more hospitable than anywhere else are ready to fulfill your expectations.

Day 6: Antiparos, the last island of your sailing cruise. After a 4-5 hours sailing trip and of course after the vital stop for lunch and swimming we end up in Antiparos late in the afternoon. Wandering around the small streets of the beautiful village, have dinner in one of the hundred restaurants and continue with a drink at one of the local bars. Nightlife here, especially in high season, is a must for everyone.

Day 7: Before setting sail for your final destination visit the cave of Antiparos. Buses are available just 100 meters away from the yacht. On your return on board leave immediately for a nice anchorage at a small island north of Antiparos with crystal clear water. The afternoon has already come as well as the farewell time.

Rent a yacht in Greece and enjoy your sailing vacations in Greece – Aegean Sea.

Fact, Myth or Urban Legend for sailing cruises in the Greek isles

2016-12-31T17:53:57.040000Z

How easy is for someone to go for a private sailing trip in the Greek islands? Are there urban legends about a sailing cruise for you and your friends?

1.
Myth: I cannot go for a sail cruise because i have never sailed before.
Fact: Sailing trips are for everyone. Skippered yacht charter is a perfect choice if you want to discover the Greek isles.Your skipper can sail you to your islands and get you familiar with the yacht.

2.
Myth: Private sailing cruises are expensive
Fact: In fact sailing cruises are cheaper if you take into account the costs of ferries and overnight stay in a hotel in the different Greek isles that you will visit. The cost per person/ per day for a skippered charter can be as low as 105EUR for a group of 4 in low season.

3.
Myth: Sailing is dangerous as a vacation choice.
Fact: All your skipper has to do is to respect the weather. The boats are extremely safe and can go even without engine. The sailing yacht is the most stable vessel.

Myth: You can not rest on a sailboat
Fact: Hire a skipper and you will have nothing to do except relax, swim, read, and discover the places you will visit.

Myth: I can visit almost all the Greek isles in a 7 days sailing trip
Fact: You can visit 6, 7 isles in a sailing trip. The Greek islands are more than 2000!

Myth: Sailing yachts use a lot of diesel and does not respect the enviroment.
Fact: Sailing trips are in fact one of the most enviroment friendly way for vacations. A sailing yacht can use as low as 0 litres to travel between islands.

Sailing the greek islands trips

2016-12-02T20:20:21.943000Z

Sailboat charter in Greece with skipper; start your Greek island sailing tour from the center of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean sea and set sail around the Greek Islands.

Greek Water Yachts, an eco friendly sailboat rental company, offers crewed (skippered – captain) private charter sailboats for your Greek sailing trip, based on Paros island in the very center of the archipel of the Cyclades.

Our small fleet of modern yachts can acommodate 2,3 or 4 guests, are maintained to the highest standards of safety and comfort, and staffed by an exceptional crew(captain – sailor)with many years of local knowledge and experience and they will guide you safely in beautiful places.

Our private yacht cruises from Paros island, are designed to avoid long, exhausting sailing legs and exposure to inclement weather – ideal for the experienced sailor and beginner alike.