Internationale groepsreis Edits: Sailing Yachts & Sandy Spots in Greece

Welcome to Greece. You’ll be met at the airport and take the 30-minute journey to the Alimos Marina. Here, you’ll meet your group, crew and skipper for a briefing aboard a sailing yacht and your home at sea for the next week.At around 4 pm, it’s anchors aweigh as you set sail for Methana, crossing the Saronic Gulf. By 8 pm, you’ll be anchored at its volcanic peninsula, and join your group for an optional welcome dinner at a seafront restaurant.

After breakfast on board, you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs on a four-hour hike up Methana Volcano. The trail rises through pine forest, eventually leading to the precipice of the volcano’s crater.Later you’ll set sail to Poros, less than an hour away. Separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow sea channel, this romantic harbour town is lined with pastel-coloured houses overlooked by the Clock Tower.You’ll spend the afternoon anchored in the bay, having lunch on board and swimming and diving from the deck. There’s the option for water skiing and other watersports on Poros Island too.Tonight, you’ll venture into town for dinner at one of Poros’ seafront restaurants.

After not-your-average-Monday breakfast, you’ll sail to Spetses, around four hours away and the most southerly of all the Saronic Islands. The town, enclosed by undulating hills and scented pine forests, is a lively spot steeped in naval history.There’s time for lunch before picking up e-bikes for an island tour, visiting the shimmering coves and immaculate beaches. The four-hour ride around the island will fly by, and before you know it, you’ll be back in the town.

This morning you’ll sail to sun-soaked Hydra, a highlight of the Saronic islands thanks to its horseshoe port, cobbled lanes, clear waters and sublime architecture. There are no cars, scooters or even bikes on Hydra, giving it a quixotic feel. With no wheels to transport you, you’ll motor under your own power, hiking for a few hours to the top of Eros Peak. Your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views across the sea and a refreshing swim at Vlichos Beach.Instead of hiking, you can opt to scuba dive off Hydra Island, at your own cost.Tonight is yours to explore the town.

Parting with gorgeous Hydra is never easy, but today you’re bound for Aegina Island, stopping at the uninhabited Moni en route. Here you’ll swim and snorkel and have a spot of lunch before continuing to Perdica, a fishing town on Aegina.Here there’s an optional visit to the Temple of Aphaea. It’s an ancient archaeological site that forms an equilateral triangle with the Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio. Otherwise, you can spend some time in the port, admiring neoclassical buildings and floating markets and sampling the local pistachios from the harbour-front kiosks.

Today you’ll set sail from Perdica bound for the aquamarine shores of Old Epidaurus on the Argolis peninsula. You’ll visit the ancient Epidaurus archaeological site, home of the god of medicine, Asclepius. There’s a well-preserved amphitheatre (with impressive acoustics) to admire before you visit an olive oil farm to learn about the oil-making process and taste the produce.Later, you’ll return to the port for a seaside walk towards the Sunken City.

After breakfast on board, you’ll head inland to Agkistri Island. Today the choice is yours – you can spend time kayaking around the island or spend your last full day swimming and snorkelling from the boat. Or maybe just soaking up the warmth of the sun on the deck, in a blissfully relaxing way to finish your week.

In the morning, you’ll disembark. Sunkissed and satiated, you’ll transfer to the airport.