compass summer
2015
Where are we going? MT. COOK AND NEW ZEALAND
Travel around mountains and majestic landscapes
GREECE AND THE ISLANDS
Explore the Mediteranean and amazing ancient sites
ALASKA
COZUMEL
GREECE
NEW ZEALAND
Contents 01 Greece
The islands and ancient sites
09 New Zealand
Mt. Cook and the national parks
17 Alaska
Cruises and whale watching excursions
25 Cozumel
Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches
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SUMMER 2015 issue
Greece
It’s a great time to visit Greece – Rick Steves with political turmoil in Athens all over the news, I keep getting asked if Greece is “safe” for travelers -- a question that feels absurd the instant you arrive there. Ask anyone who’s been to Greece recently, and you’ll learn that safety concerns have been played up by both Greek and international media outlets. Frankly, this is a great time to travel to Greece. The financial crisis -- while making life difficult for most Greeks -- is a boon for budget travelers. Hotel prices are down, the normally warm Greek hospitality has ratcheted up a few notches, and roads outside of Athens are essentially traffic-free, as higher gas prices have caused locals to cut down on inessential driving. The downsides (shorter hours at sights, reduced long-distance bus service, occasional strikes) are noticeable, but not reason enough for you to postpone a trip. All the things you’re looking for in a trip to Greece -- mouthwatering food, deep-blue water, striking scenery and the thrill of connecting with ancient history -- are all here waiting for you ... at a cheaper price. Greece is easy on travelers. Tourism makes up 15% of the gross domestic product. The Greeks pride themselves on a concept called filotimo -- literally love of honor, but usually meant to connote openness, friendliness and hospitality. Social faux pas made by unwary foreigners are easily overlooked by Greeks, and many speak English.
Despite the headlines, the major sights of this ancient land are open and relatively crowd-free. Athens, while sprawling and congested, has a compact, pleasant tourist zone capped by the famous Acropolis -- the world’s top ancient site. With its central location, it’s also the perfect launch pad for farther-flung destinations. You can commune with ancient spirits at the center of the world -- the oracle near the picturesque mountain hamlet of Delphi. Or travel farther to the Peloponnese, the large peninsula that hangs from the rest of the Greek mainland, and experience a wild, mountainous landscape dotted with the ruins of Mycenaean palaces, ancient temples, frescoed churches and countless medieval hilltop castles. Most travelers like to take a vacation from their vacation on one of the famous Greek isles, such as traffic-free Hydra, whitewashed Mykonos or volcanic Santorini. It all sounds idyllic -- and for the most part, it is. On my last trip here, if it hadn’t been for the blaring headlines and shrill news reports calling the demonstrations “riots,” I probably wouldn’t have been aware of them at all -- I was too busy pondering the ancients at the Acropolis and nibbling olives at dinner. I found Greece to be the same old wonderful place ... with, perhaps, a few more minor headaches. Political protests are indeed a common occurrence, and not just in Athens. Demonstrating is woven into European democracies. And,
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while protesting is generally just too much trouble for most Americans, Europeans are quick to hit the streets when they want to raise their collective voice. I think it’s healthy. It’s my hunch that for many years to come, Europe will be sorting this out, and travelers will encounter parades and rallies in front of parliament buildings -- and anarchists wanting to hijack these events to make their points and get on the news. As the TV news media loves vivid footage, this is easy to do. But most rallies involve zero violence. When violence has broken out in Athens, it’s been between police and protesters, not bystanders ... and certainly not tourists out for a stroll. It’s pretty easy to steer clear of any unrest. Protest rallies are generally scheduled in advance: Your hotelier can tell you if anything’s likely to be afoot in a main city square during your visit. Strikes are another nuisance, but generally not prolonged -- just a day or two here and there. (Strikes have long been a way of life in Greece; most Greeks see a general strike as an excuse for an impromptu holiday.) What’s the biggest impact of the crisis on visitors? It’s the satisfaction you’ll get from contributing to the economy of a nation dealing with tough times -- and the joy that comes from a tourist industry that really appreciates your presence. Sharing a beer or a coffee with a talkative native can provide you with a lesson in contemporary Greece that’s every bit as fascinating as the Classical stuff. Greece has, it seems, more than its share of troubles right now. Still, Greeks are optimistic by nature. Most believe that they’ll get through these tough economic times. They’re quick to point out that, regardless of the economy, the olives remain just as tasty, the water just as blue, and the sun -- like the Greek people -- just as warm. Despite the headlines, the major sights of this ancient land are open and relatively crowd-free. Athens, while sprawling and congested, has a compact, pleasant tourist zone capped by the famous Acropolis -- the world’s top ancient site. With its central location, it’s also the perfect launch pad for farther-flung destinations. You can commune with ancient spirits at the center of the world -- the oracle near the picturesque mountain hamlet of Delphi. Or travel farther to the Peloponnese, the large peninsula that hangs from the rest of the Greek mainland, and experience. wild, mountainous landscape dotted with the ruins of Mycenaean palaces, ancient temples, frescoed churches and countless medieval hilltop castles. Most travelers like to take a vacation from their vacation on one of the famous Greek isles, such as traffic-free Hydra, whitewashed Mykonos or volcanic Santorini.
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My husband Kostas and I sail with charter guests around the Greek Isles on our Atlantic 70 sailboat, Stressbuster. Over the years we’ve developed a list of what our guests need (and what they won’t miss). Here are our top fifteen tips of what to include and how to pack when getting ready for your next charter vacation.
1. Travel documents
If you’re traveling outside your home country, make sure you’ve got the necessary travel documents in order and ready to go: passports or visas, tickets, and cash/credit cards.
2. Use soft-sided bags only; never hard-sided, square bags.
Luggage storage space on almost all boats is limited, and hard-sided bags can cause damage to teak decks and other wood trim. Soft duffels can be folded up and stowed after you’re unpacked. Soft bags with wheels are acceptable, but should be handled with care onboard to avoid damage. Two bags, one soft and one hard sided For boats, the bag on the right is preferable to the one on the left. Even soft bags that have a rigid frame can’t be folded down for easy stowage onboard.
3. Fill your medium-sized soft-sided bag with everything you want to bring – then reduce it by half
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15 Tips on what to bring – Lynda Morris Childress
SUMMER 2015 issue
The single most common mistake people make on a yacht-charter vacation is bringing too much stuff. On all but very formal charters, the lifestyle is very casual. Especially in tropical or warm-weather locales, you won’t need to bring too many clothes to meet your daily needs.
4. Shoes: Street, boat, and water
Almost all yachts forbid the wearing of street shoes aboard, and most have dedicated baskets or lockers for street-shoe storage, where footwear is deposited when you board. On Stressbuster, we prefer that clients leave their street shoes in our shoe basket or in their cabins and either go barefoot or wear flip flops or some other clean, comfortable, light-soled shoes aboard. Don’t overdo it on shoes – two or three pair is all you’ll need.For swimming in places where there are sharp rocks or sea urchins, bring a pair of water shoes.
5. Bathing suits (you’ll live in them)
During a day of sailing, your attire will likely consist of bathing suits and a simple cover up of some sort. Even going ashore for dinner doesn’t usually require a change out of the garb you’re wearing during the day, unless you’re feeling the need to freshen up.
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6. Fins, mask, and snorkel
If the yacht you’ll be sailing on or the charter company does not provide them, bring your own. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the water, you may want to consider a lightweight wetsuit jacket to stay warm while snorkeling, especially in fringe-season months.
7. Cover ups, street clothes
Tee shirts, tank tops, or sarongs for women are all a good bet to wear over bathing suits and protect you from the sun. For leg protection, plan on shorts, jeans, or other lightweight long pants; those that have removable, zip-on or –off legs so they can be either shorts or long pants are very handy. For shore clothes, you can “go as you are” almost anywhere in the Greek islands – shorts, tees, jeans. The only exception is if you choose to visit a church or a monastery, where conservative dress is required – covered legs and arms. At such places they generally have racks of clothing for visitors to don when they arrive. Ladies, if you do feel the need to dress for dinner, sundresses are good—or simple lightweight slacks and shirts. Capri pants are cool and comfortable. For men, lightweight slacks and tees or cotton shirts are fine. For all, jeans are fine everywhere.
8. Lightweight sweater or fleece
(NOTE: Most of our charters are during the warm summer months. In the early spring or late fall months, warm fleece, leggings, socks, and a warm sweater should be added to this list, as nights can get quite cool). Climbing aboard Stressbuster with a soft sided duffle bag. This guest did it right - he used a soft, medium-sized, collapsible duffel bag without wheels. (And only one of the two bags is his.)
11. Lightweight foul weather gear
Bring a waterproof jacket and pants if you have them.
12. Earplugs
If you’re a noise-sensitive sleeper, other crews (or your own) can sometimes be noisy. And in Greece the streets along the quays where we dock are often abuzz until the wee hours.
13. Electronics
Ipods: Ask if the boat you’ve chartered has a stereo system to which these can be hooked up (most crewed yachts do). Chargers: Ask if you’ll be able to recharge your cameras, computers, and other electronics onboard. On Stressbuster, we have an inverter, so guests can readily recharge cameras, laptops, and other small electrical items. The voltage in Europe is 220V so US electronics will need a converter plug, available at any store that sells electronics in the States. Hair dryers: If you absolutely can’t travel without one, ask if your vessel has one onboard.
14. Seasickness remedies
Unless you want to be very sleepy, we suggest the “non-drowsy” formulas. Even for people who don’t get seasick, taking something on the morning of the day you board is a good idea – it will give your body a chance to get used to and adapt to the motion of the boat. Many people have good luck with the prescription Transderm Scop® behind-the-ear patch, but be very mindful of possible side effects. Discuss these with your physician and/or pharmacist before using.
15. Medications
9. Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses.
Foreign prescriptions are not honored at Greek pharmacies, so make sure you bring what you need.
10. Washcloths
wAnd last but not least, organization helps. Fold and stack your clothes in groups – shirts, tank tops, shorts, long pants, and bathing suits, for instance. Vacuum-bagging clothes in plastic bags or rolling items up will save space. And remember, no matter where you charter, there are almost always laundry facilities available onshore!
Avoid packing sunscreens containing oil, which can stain both teak decks and canvas deck and sunbed cushions.
Not all charter companies provide them, and in Greece most people use island-harvested sponges instead, so they’re difficult to find. Almost all charter yachts include sheets and towels; some provide beach towels. Ask, and if beach towels won’t be provided, bring one of your own.
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