SAIL AWAY TO GREECE
8-DAY GREECE SAILING TRIP
SAIL THE IDYLLIC GREEK ISLANDS OF THE SARONIC GULF
Trip Highlights
Sail on a small private catamaran with other like-minded travelers
Explore unique islands like Poros, Hydra & Aegina
Visit ancient sites like a Doric Temple & 4th century amphitheater
Feast on seasonal Greek cuisine
Swim in pristine waters & watch the sunset every night
Are you dreaming of crystal-clear turquoise waters, magenta-colored bougainvillea or olive green hills in the distance? Tucked between the Greek peninsulas of Attica and Argolis, the Saronic Gulf is filled with incredibly unique islands like Aegina, where pistachio groves dot the hills, and Poros and Hydra, where you can step back in time. At each port you'll have the opportunity to enjoy onshore experiences, including a preserved Doric temple to a 4th century amphitheater famed for its acoustics and a visit to a local organic winery that has been family owned for generations. Aboard our catamaran you'll enjoy daily breakfasts and lunches freshly prepared with local produce and specialties as well as the opportunity to learn or practice your sailing skills. And of course many gorgeous sunsets and midday swims in the crystal-clear waters.
Join us in May 2025 for a special yoga retreat with Leti Alvarez! Enjoy morning flows on the deck and evening meditations as the sun goes down.
Book our 8-day Greece sailing group trip or select Custom Dates for a Greece sailing tour spring, summer or fall! Starting at $4495 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
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STARTING AT $4495
Special yoga retreat with Leti Alvarez May 2025!
Fully guided 8-day sailing tour with a Greek Captain + First Mate
6-16 people
Santorini add-on
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STARTING AT $4695
Fully guided 8-day Greece sailing tour with a Greek Captain + First Mate
Minimum of 6 people
Santorini add-on
trip INCLUSIONS
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1 night accommodation in central Athens
6 nights’ accommodations aboard a private catamaran yacht
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Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) on day 1 and return on Day 8
Shuttle to boat on day 2
Privately chartered catamaran tour of the Saronic Islands and Peloponnese peninsula
Dinghy transport in/out of busier ports
Shuttle from boat to Athens city center (and back to boat) on day 7
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Guided walking tour in Athens
Visit Aegina Island, Poros Island, Spetses & Epidavros port & more (exact sailing itinerary subject to change, if necessary)*
Time to explore each island with optional activities including visit to the Temple of Aphaia and the Ampitheatre of Epidavros
Optional self-guided bike or e-bike touring
Optional visit to an organic, family-owned vineyard for wine tasting and tour
Opportunity for learning to sail aboard our boat! Practice hoisting the sails, take the helm or sit on the bridge and keep a lookout. You can also learn to throw a line, coil and secure lines, read a chart, etc.
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Daily breakfasts + daily lunches + 2 dinners
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Visit with our local community partner + donation to their organization
Dedicated and experienced Greek sailing captain + first mate / Traverse Host
Boat insurance & licensing
Boat safety and information briefing
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure + Traverse host throughout itinerary
Small group experience, max 8 people
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Extra nights in Athens
Santorini package
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International Airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guide, Traverse guide, drivers, etc.
Required travel insurance
DAILY ITINERARY
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Arrive in Athens by 2 pm and be transported from the airport to our centrally located hotel. Settle in to your room before we gather together with our local guide to enjoy a walking tour of Athens. Gain insight into this ancient city and enjoy learning about local specialties and the unique history of this iconic metropolis. We'll end at one of our favorite restaurants with views of the Acropolis - a wonderful way to welcome you to Greece!
Add-on options: Athens food tour starting in the morning (approx 6 hours, requires an extra night prior)
Meals: D
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This morning following breakfast you’ll transfer from your Athens hotel to our meeting point at the marina. After a bit of time to unpack and settle in, our Greek Captain and First Mate will give a tour of the vessel with a safety briefing and what to expect.
Your home for the week consists of 4 double staterooms, each with its own head (toilet/shower), a well as a stocked galley that sits on the main deck with windows all around for excellent viewing, a covered open air dining area and a large bow area for those who want sun and take in spectacular views.
After familiarizing ourselves aboard our home, we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch on board as we set out for a short sail to Aegina Island (2 hrs) giving us a chance to get our “sea legs.”
Aegina is a bustling little port surrounded by numerous small shops tucked away in narrow back streets with colorful tavernas along its waterfront. For lovers of ancient Greece, an included excursion to the temple of Aphaia - one of the better preserved Doric temples in Greece - will surely delight. The temple is located on the pine-clad Mesagro hill on the northeast end of the island from which there are stunning views of the Saronic Gulf and the surrounding area.
In the evening, we’ll recommend one of our favorite spots for dinner with the most picturesque surroundings. Don’t forget to stock up on pistachios while on Aegina, which are grown in abundance on the island!
May 2025 Retreat: We'll have a minimum of one yoga session per day, sometimes two!, as well as meditation workshops. These will generally be in the morning/evening, dependent on the weather and the day's sailing schedule. Yoga mats are not included, but you can request one to be provided for you on site as an add-on option.
Meals: B, L
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Enjoy these idyllic days of sailing through the Saronic Gulf aboard your trusty steed! You’ll visit incredible ports and stop for refreshing swims in the turquoise waters and possibly a chance to SUP and snorkel.
On land, you’ll have opportunities to rent e-bikes, scooters or ATVs and explore on land. You can visit local markets and ancient sites, hike to spectacular viewpoints, and relax on picturesque beaches. You can even visit an organic winery, one of our favorites!
We’ll also be sure to visit the renowned Epidaurus amphitheater. Dating from 4th-century BC, the theater is famous for its perfect acoustics. In Greek mythology, Epidaurus was also the birthplace of Apollo’s son, Asclepius, the healer and a sanctuary to Asclepius was built near the amphitheater. This was the most celebrated center for healing in the Classical world; sick people would travel long distances to visit Epidaurus in the hope of being cured.
While sailing, it’s the perfect opportunity to put your bathing suit on, grab a good book or camera and relax on the bow, watching as the gorgeous coastline of Greece goes by. As we sail from port to port you’re welcome to help the captain hoist the sails, take the helm or sit on the bridge and keep a lookout. Learn to throw a line, coil and secure lines, and read a chart!
Each day you’ll enjoy breakfast and a light lunch aboard. Our meals are focused on local, seasonal Greek ingredients with lots of variety. You’ll enjoy Greek greens, cheeses, breads, select meats, herbs, olives and olive oil, fruits, nuts and the like. You're welcome to jump in on meal prep as an enjoyable way to get together and mingle with your travel companions.
Each evening, you’ll have the opportunity to dine ashore, with recommendations provided. Our favorite spots have outdoor dining with plenty to admire as you’re served delicious local Mediterranean fare made fresh to order. After dinner you can walk off a delicious meal by wandering the shops or the harbor. Indulge in a gelato if you must!
Your exact sailing itinerary day by day will be determined by a variety of factors including weather conditions, sail times, availability to anchor at ports, etc.
Meals: B, L
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Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a swim in the turquoise waters, before we again set sail for the final leg of our journey back to Athens. Cruising along these crystal blue Mediterranean waters with the sea air in your lungs and the dynamic postcard-perfect coastline is a feast for your senses to savor. No doubt your experience of sailing these beautiful Greek islands will last a lifetime!
We'll enjoy a fantastic Farewell Lunch together before making our way back to shore.
When we arrive at the marina we’ll have a special treat - a visit from our Community Partner on this trip - Lighthouse Relief. This incredibly important organization has been providing a dignified, respectful and empowering humanitarian response to those seeking safety and asylum in Greece for the past 5 years.
Enjoy one more sleep at our trusty home on the water.
Meals: B, L, evening snacks
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A final breakfast aboard the boat will be provided before departing our beloved catamaran. We’ll have a group shuttle to the Athens Airport (ATH) and downtown, leaving the boat no later than 10am. Those who opt for our Santorini add-on will have an early-morning taxi arranged and included to catch the fast ferry.
Meals: B
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Solo travelers will be paired with a roommate of the same gender unless you opt for the ‘my own room’ option.
$4495 per person, double occupancy
You’ll share a double bed stateroom on board our catamaran. Best for two friends or a couple booking together. Solo travelers are welcome but require that two of the same gender book so that they can room together; otherwise the “my own room” upgrade will apply.
+$1995 - “my own room” your own room in Athens and on the boat
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$4995 per person with 6 people
$4695 per person with 7 people
$4495 per person with 8 people
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Athens Food Tour on Day 1, approx 6 hours - +$150 per person (requires an extra night)
Extra room night in Athens - +$190 (per room)
Yoga Mat +$50 Quality non-stick yoga mat for those that don't want to bring a travel mat. We'll donate the mats to our Community Partner Lighthouse Relief at the end
Santorini - $895 per person, Add-on package is available after the trip. Solo travelers will be paired with a roommate of same gender.
A 3-day package which includes 2 nights accommodation at our hand-picked Santorini hotel including views of the Caldera, a fast ferry to Santorini and all hotel/airport transfers, breakfasts each day, a self-guided sunset hike on the famous Caldera trail, as well as your choice of several additional activities on Santorini.
FAQS
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Your home for the week is a catamaran boat and consists of 4 double staterooms, each with its own head (toilet/shower). The beds in each stateroom are made up of two single mattresses side by side with bedding that will be made up as two single beds for friends or solo travelers or as one double bed for couples. Though the rooms are spacious from a boating perspective, they are very compact compared to a hotel room. There is enough room to sleep and store your clothes and luggage (soft case suitcases are the best) and that’s about it! Think of it like camping on water 🙂
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Since this trip has more limited capacity, we recommend you sign up at least 6 months in advance to ensure your spot is secure. That said, we're always happy to fit you in last minute if we can!
Your First Mate and RETREAT LEADER:
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $250-500 non-refundable deposit is required for each traveler to secure the booking (varies by trip). 50% remainder due 30 days from booking. Balance due 60 days prior to trip start. Refer to the Flexible Booking Policy for cases in which the deposit may be transferrable.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) full payment on booking 2) Deposit on booking + payment schedule below. Payments will be invoiced via e-mail for credit card or Paypal payment online.
Cancellations Policy
Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 90 days prior to the trip start date unless otherwise specified.
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.