Let me tell you about a typical week on board Katja. Every week is different, and we adjust our route to the weather and the preferences of the crew, but your tour with us might look something like this.
Saturday – Ready to Set Sail
Whether you’ve already explored Greece on your own or are just arriving, you can relax as soon as you reach the pier. Drop off your bags and enjoy a refreshing drink at the nearby café while we take care of the last details like paperwork, shopping, and cabin preparations.
In the afternoon we warmly welcome you on board. After the boat briefing (How do I turn on the cabin lights? Can I use the net while sailing? etc.) and the safety briefing (Where are the life jackets? What should I do if I notice a fire?), we head out to the nearby island of Meganisi and dock in the harbor of Vathy. We moor right at the town quay, and you can choose from a variety of restaurants for your first dinner on this tour. Enjoy a delicious moussaka right by the waterfront and watch the comings and goings on the water as the sun sets.
Sunday – First Dip in the Water
The next morning starts with fresh bread and spinach pies from the Vathy bakery. While the divers are picked up by the dive guides from Pro Dive Meganisi, Katja sets off with the rest of the crew, and we drop anchor off the small island of Skorpidi, right next to the famous Skorpios, the former private island of Aristotle Onassis. There we meet the divers again as they explore the reef below while others swim, snorkel, or use the SUP on the surface.
When the wind picks up around midday and everyone is back on board, we set the sails and head for our next island, Kastos. This little gem is so popular that we avoid the crowded harbor and anchor in a small bay nearby. The afternoon is once again spent in and around the water. In the evening, a short walk takes you to one of the small tavernas in the harbor, known for its goat stew and possibly the best ice cream in the Ionian Sea.
Monday – In Odysseus’ Footsteps to Ithaca
The next morning there’s still time for a quick swim before Katja sails on to the island of Kalamos. There you can explore the ruins of Porto Leone, a village abandoned after an earthquake, or simply enjoy the peaceful morning hours swimming or on the SUP.
Back on board, you can settle in for a longer passage under motor to Ithaca, said in ancient legend to be the home of Odysseus. Thanks to the crew’s reliable navigation skills, finding Ithaca won’t be a problem.
In the largest town on your tour, another Vathy, affectionately called “Big Vathy” by the locals, there’s plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the town or go for a walk in the surrounding hills. Here you can stock up on ingredients for a home-cooked meal, since tomorrow you’ll be cooking on board. Tonight, though, there’s fresh fish and a cocktail waiting for you at one of the town’s bars.
Tuesday – Under the Greek Stars
We spend the next morning in Ormos Skinos, a large bay on Ithaca. Here the divers, together with the Odyssey Diving Club, explore a reef full of fish and fragments of ancient amphorae. When the wind picks up around midday, we take the opportunity to enjoy a few hours of sailing before dropping anchor just around the corner in a secluded bay.
Shortly after sunset, snorkelers can use their flashlights to explore the nighttime underwater world along the rocky cliffs. You might spot octopus, crabs, sea cucumbers, and many other nocturnal creatures. After dinner together, it’s worth staying up on deck to enjoy the incredible starry sky of this warm summer night.
Wednesday – Old Boats and Beautiful People
We chose this bay not only for its beauty above the water. Below the surface lies the wreck of an old sailing boat that sank here a few decades ago. What remains are the steel frame and the metal tanks, now home to moray eels, tube worms, and lionfish.
After a morning dive or snorkel at the wreck, we head to our final new island, Kefalonia. The charming harbor of Fiskardo is a meeting place for the high society of the Ionian Sea and offers the most entertaining harbor spectacle. Since the harbor is small, boats lie side by side along the quay, and there’s always something going wrong, making for interesting scenes. Just like the guests of the large superyachts, you’ll take the dinghy ashore and mingle with the beautiful people for dinner.
Thursday – Sun, Sails, and a Seat at Yianni’s
Today is a relaxed day: a leisurely breakfast, a swim, then off on the last long passage, unfortunately under motor due to lack of wind. In the south of Lefkada we stop for a swim in the bay of Mikros Gialos before arriving in the lively town of Sivota. There we visit our friends at Taverna Ionion. Yianni and his team always welcome us warmly and are incredibly helpful when it comes to mooring at the dock. That makes it all the more enjoyable to sit on the restaurant’s balcony with fresh fish and baked mussels. Afterwards, you can stroll through the little harbor to a cocktail bar in an old olive mill and end the evening with live music.
Friday – Blue Caves, Beats & Barbecue
Early in the morning it’s time to cast off, as we head to one of our most beautiful spots, the Blue Caves. Before the tourist boats arrive, you’ll have the cave all to yourself, whether on the SUP or with a snorkel. There’s even time afterwards to visit the nearby, legendary Cave of Papanicolis, where a submarine is said to have once hidden.
On the short return trip to our home port we stop for one last swim at Desimi Beach. Back in Vlicho, we turn up the music and clean the boat together, a lively and cheerful farewell party! Afterwards we all deserve a refreshing shower on land before taking the dinghy across the bay to enjoy one final dinner together at one of the excellent seaside fish restaurants.
Saturday – Farewell
The last morning brings packing, stripping the beds, and the sad goodbye. But most of our guests leave with a smile, having spent a varied and relaxing week with us. We hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday on board and that we’ll see each other again soon.
