Greece

I have holidayed in Greece on many occasions, on packages and latterly with Sunsail. This page was updated and used between 2004 & 2009. It was flagged by the broken link tool in 2017 and the content was pretty dated.  I removed most of it. 17 Feb 2018

Post Brexit thoughts

We don’t need a pre-visa check (ETIAS) yet but can I get a residents permit. The Greek Govt post about an investors route to residence, requiring the ownership of €¼m of property and this site, offers a guide in buying property there. There seem to be a few ‘advisory firms’ in this business which makes me suspicious, but Astons, have a guide on acquiring citizenship through the investors route; you need to wait 7 years (if not an EU national, thank you Brexit), and they make no mention of speaking the language. Global Citizen Solutions also have a guide. Allianz comment on the Greek health care system.

Getting there in 2022

As the train revolution continues a pace, the man in Seat 61 writes how to get to Greece by train (& boat), and specifically to Athens.

Sailing in the Ionian

I sailed in the Ionian with Sunsail. They run several routes/flotilla’s from their base in Vounaki, in NW Greece. I traveled with them in the second week of June and it was beginning to get a bit busy. I wouldn’t want to go later in the season, when its also a lot hotter. 16th June 2008

I had another think in summer of 2023. I found Sail Ionian , who offered chartered skippered trips which might be more appropriate these days. They are based in Lefkas; the boats or the journey are quite expensive and Lefkas is not easy to get to out of season. I then found Island Sailing who offer several locations in the Aegean. See below.

Preveza (PVK) airport is small and similar to many of the Greek airports. Don’t take pictures. It has a cafe on both sides of security, but its very expensive, and a tax free shop, if you need it. Otherwise take water, food and books on the return journey; charter flights are often delayed, and were in my case. 16th June 2008

I will buy and take a parallel ruler and chart-plotter next time. They lent us a copy of Ionian by Rod Heikell, which we used as our almanac, I may get a copy of this to plan my next holiday.

While researching my 2009 trip, I discovered that Igoumenitsa is the important entry port from Italy, so maybe another time. NB There are ferries from Venice.

Sailing in the Aegean

I then found Island Sailing who offer several locations in the Aegean. Their Cyclades trip doesn’t get as far as Santorini, it’s allegedly full but does depart from Lavrion, which is a taxi ride from Athens airport. They also offer start location in Mykonos & Paros, although these are more expensive. In 2023, they offer, Hanse 408 or 520, which allegedly berth 6 or 12, but presumably one would have to subtract places for the skipper.

Island Hopping

An article from Fodors suggesting an Aegan route using the “Flying Dolphins”. See https://hellenicseaways.gr/en/fleet/category/flying-dolphin

More

Here are some web sites with general facts about the place.

• http://www.visitgreece.gr/

and the Ionian Islands

• http://www.ionian-islands.com/
• http://www.fantasticgreece.com/en/DestinationGuides/en/Kefalonia-en/kefalonia-transportation-guide-en.asp

I thought I might go back to Santorini via LastMinute.com and they offered me a flight via Athens airport, Athens Eleftherios Venizelos, here’s what I found about how to spend my time there.

Will I go back to Santorini?