Dani's Greek Blog

STAR CLIPPERS

Dani’s Blog A glorious Greek adventure...

Aboard Star Clipper

A glorious Greek adventure...

Aboard Star Clipper The Greek Islands are like individual pieces of paradise,

With embarkation starting from 4pm in Piraeus (the port for

scattered in and around one of the bluest seas in the world.

Athens) if you flew in the day before, you still have the whole

The glistening waters of the Aegean reflect the scorching

morning and lunchtime to enjoy Athens before it’s time for

sunlight perfectly, lighting up the white-washed cliffs of

your transfer to the port. Perhaps it’s time for one more Gyros

Santorini, the well-known windmills of Mykonos and the

and bottle of Mythos, a little shopping, or even some more

sandy beaches of Lindos in Rhodes. Beginning in the Greek

sight-seeing before your pre-booked transfers will take you

capital, Athens, history lovers will be spoilt for choice by

in plenty of time to start your adventure. If you’ve flown on

the ancient architecture there is to see, a bustling city full of

the same day as the cruise departs, you will be transferred

life, good food and friendly people, it would be wrong not

straight from the airport to the port, to wait for embarkation

to indulge in a night or two pre or post your Star Clippers

time.

sailing.

Of all the itineraries Star Clippers performs, the Greek Islands is a particularly special one, a route we have been doing since the company began 25 years ago, our captain’s knowledge of these areas are unarguably wonderful, with the Aegean seas lending themselves to a sailing experience like ours, offering better winds and therefore meaning a higher percentage of time under natural sail – a real treat!

A rooftop pool area, which becomes a candle lit bar by night, is one of the many endearing qualities at the St George Lycabettus Hotel in Athens, a place we have been recommending and sending our guests for many years now. With breathtaking views of the Acropolis, modern comfortable rooms and a quiet location just 20 minutes from both the airport and the port, this is the perfect base to

From Athens, there are two 7 night itineraries to choose

start and/or finish your Greek island cruise. I’ve been lucky

from, both of which I have experienced, and both of which

enough to stay at this property myself on several occasions,

are just as magical as each other. They alternate from week to

and would not hesitate in choosing it again. I particularly

week, so some guests decide to ‘back to back’ the sailings for

like the rooms with a view of the acropolis, which must be

a longer time on board (who can blame them) but whichever

requested at the time of booking.

one you choose, both the Northern and the Southern

Cyclades will not disappoint. Both itineraries begin with a

are several options, but here is what I would suggest… Follow

relaxing day at sea, which in my opinion is the absolute best

the crowd, they will be heading up one of the many narrow

way to start any Star Clippers trip. A day with no excuse to

streets off of the central point, all of which will eventually

do anything, other than read, relax, eat, drink, marvel at the

bring you to the same point. It’s quite a climb, but it’s so

work of the skilled sailors and perhaps join in with the odd

worth it to see the temple at the top, and the views back down

nautical activity should you choose to – these 24 hours at sea

again, just make sure you take plenty of water. It’s an exciting

will help adapt your body from reality to holiday mode, in

walk as you meander through the streets, with many local

quite simply, the only way to ease into Star Clippers life.

shops and cafes to look in to, so although it’s a bit of a hike, it’s a leisurely one, with plenty of stops should you need them.

Southern Cyclades

Once at the top you can walk freely around the temple and

Rhodes – The old town in Rhodes is full of head-turning

take your photographs of the view of the bay, which is one of

sights, stunning Greek structures from thousands of years

the most breathtakingly beautiful scenes I have ever seen. We

ago, still standing in their medieval glory. The square like

stopped for lunch on the way back down, some fresh pittas,

many in Europe, lined with attractive bars and restaurants

Tzatziki, stuffed vine-leaves and grilled lamb, all washed

where you can sit, soak up the atmosphere and watch the

down with a couple of bottles of Mythos (the local beer) then

world go by, albeit at a much slower pace than we are used to

set us up for an hour on the beach. The beaches of Lindos

back home. Where the ship docks, alongside, you can easily

will be busy, as they are some of the most popular on Rhodes

stroll into the old town independently and spend the day

island for their talc-like sands and clear blue calm seas, but if

wondering around the cobbled streets and sampling the local

you can find a spot, it’s worth stopping here for your last hour

beers, however, if you fancy exploring a little further afield, I

or so, a swim in the sea perhaps, or just relax with a book on

have the perfect suggestion for you…

the warm sands, before meeting your taxi driver to take you back to the ship.

The late departure from Rhodes means you can have a lazy day, and not worry too much about timings, but it’s a shame to miss dinner on the ship as the choices are always so mouth-watering! I like to have my dinner in the dining room, and then wonder ashore for a last drink in old Rhodes town, which by night, looks all the more majestic.

On stepping off of the ship, there will be plenty of taxis offering their services, after a little bartering, we usually settle on a good price with a driver to take us up to Lindos, and meet us after a few hours to bring us back. The journey is around 35 – 40 minutes, and I believe we usually pay around 60 euros for the return trip, per car, so if you’ve made any friends on board that fancy doing the same thing, this is a really reasonable way of seeing a different side to Rhodes Island. Lindos is an archaeological site, a town and a former

Bodrum – For any handbag lovers out there, or leather in

municipality on the island of Rhodes, it’s situated in a large

general actually, today is all about the shopping! It’s easy to

bay and faces the fishing village and small resort of Haraki.

spend hours in and out of the shops and markets, and even

The taxi will drop you off in a small square, which will also

easier to come away with a ‘designer’ bargain, which is all

be where they pick you up from again. From this square there

part of the experience. Other than shopping, Bodrum has a

lot to offer. It’s beautiful marina sits just beneath the ancient

Santorini – One of the better known of the Greek islands,

castle, with many café’s and bars to choose from again for a

Santorini is definitely an itinerary highlight for the Southern

light refreshment while looking over the sparkling blue sea.

route. Its unique rugged landscape was determined by the

It would definitely be a shame to miss out on a real Turkish

volcano that rocked the island in the 16th century, shaping

kebab whilst you’re here! I was pleasantly surprised when I

it forever with its dramatic whitewashed houses, blue roofed

visited Bodrum, the clean streets, friendly locals, stunning

windmills and steep winding streets. Star Clipper drops

flowers and colours, a great port of call and very versatile.

anchor in the large bay, usually alongside another cruise ship or two, allowing her to perfectly show off in all her glory at sail away… After a short tender ride to the shore, you can take the funicular to the top, where you will find yourself in the ‘capital’ of Fira. The views from the top are outstanding, the jewellery shops are tempting and the beauty of this place overwhelms you. After a good hour of window shopping, we took a taxi up to Oia, the other major region on the island.

On route, we stopped off at ‘the blue dome’ famous as the landmark of Santorini and unmistakably impressive. After the obligatory photo stop, we continued to Oia, where we found

Dalyan River – Today we chose to do the ‘mud bath

more shops, more bars hidden in the cliff sides and more

excursion’ offered by the ship. This was a well-subscribed

stunning scenery. You really can get lost in this place and it’s

trip, I would say there was around 30 – 40 of us in total. After

one that makes you want to return for a longer holiday, but to

meeting in the Tropical Bar, we all boarded the first tender

get a snap shot of the day, during this sailing, is a real treat.

of the day, which took us on the short journey to meet our other boat, a much more traditional river boat, which was extremely comfortable with benches all around the sides, cold bottles of water available to us and plenty of space.

Our leisurely boat trip began, as we glided slowly down the Dalyan River itself, taking in the abundance of wildlife along the way. We saw gigantic crabs, rare birds and turtles, which our experienced tour guide took time to point out and explain at each point. Probably the most dramatic sight along the way is that of the Lycian tombs. Sat above the river’s sheer cliffs is this unusual sight, preserved incredibly from circa

Hydra - A more ‘off the beaten track’ Greek island, not often

400BC, and still attracting tourists today, excellent photo

offered on larger cruise lines, this small, typically Greek

opportunities along this journey. The boat ride comes to a

town sits above the crescent-shaped harbour, which offers

stop and as everyone steps ashore, we enter the Turkish mud

restaurants, shops, markets and galleries. A light stroll around

baths, renowned for their anti-inflammatory, detoxifying,

the port town is a welcome experience, almost as if you’re

analgesic, relaxing and revitalising qualities. It’s such a

a witness to a place so beautiful, it’s only shared with select

strange feeling, stepping into the brown, smelly waters and

people, a real Star Clippers exclusive!

rubbing yourself from head to toe with the natural muds, but definitely liberating. The hour or so you have here is certainly

Northern Cyclades

relaxing and a lot of fun, with time to take a shower of course,

Kusadasi – Today the ship will dock alongside the port

before heading back. All in all, this was a great excursion

of Kusadasi. A small, pretty marina, with plenty of trendy

with both the boat trip down the river and the mud bath

seafront bars and restaurants outlining the busy town and

experience, I would definitely recommend.

marketplace, where most guests tend to head for a shopping

experience like no other. The markets in Kusadasi offer a

All this aside, the setting of Patmos is truly beautiful, typically

typically Turkish ambience, with all the hustle and bustle of

Greek and exciting to explore. The whitewashed buildings,

the market traders, offering their goods and trying to interact

the unscathed cobbled streets and the small, individual gift

with tourists to make a sale. Today is the day for a good

shops, bars, and local craft boutiques, lend themselves to this

haggle, and every time I’ve been lucky enough to have been,

island, overlooking the crystal clear blue sea, another piece of

you can usually barter the price down significantly from the

paradise in the Aegean. After a few ice cold Mythos beers in a

original suggestion, and walk away feeling rather chuffed

local and friendly taverna, we made our way back to the ship

with yourself. If you have something particular in mind,

for our sunset sail away (my favourite time!)

Mulberry, Michael Kors, Burberry etc, you’re sure to find it here.

Today, the head bartender joined us all on deck when it was time, with a small table, adorned with a white tablecloth and plenty of champagne flutes to accompany the ice buckets, which were chilling the champagne perfectly. For just 7.50 euros per glass, you can purchase your drink with the ease of them bringing it to you, for this dusk time departure. As the Vangelis music starts up, and the crew begin to expertly pull the ropes, you can watch the billowing sails unfurl above you, as they catch the wind and start to steer the ship to our next destination… magical.

Amorgos – My strongest memories of Amorgos are ‘beach’ and ‘water-sports’, which after the rich history of Athens,

After a few hours soaking up the busy life in Kusadasi, spend

the buzzy shopping of Kusadasi and the interesting culture

an hour or two sipping on a chilled glass of rose in one of

in Patmos, was a welcome day. One of the reasons I love the

the many ocean view bars, whilst looking back to the ship,

Northern Cyclades is because I believe it offers the perfect

standing tall in the harbour with countless holiday makers

balance of history, culture and beach, it really has something

walking past in awe staring up at your home for the week –

for everyone and our day today proved that entirely.

the perfect smug feeling!

This tiny island, the most eastern of those in the Cyclades, The late sail away in Kusadasi allows you to keep on living the Turkish dream, after dinner on board, why not step ashore and enjoy a final nightcap in the town, after all, there’s no better time to appreciate the site of Star Clipper, than when she is lit up at night with thousands of small fairy lights up and down the ropes, sails and masts.

Patmos – Patmos is most famous for being mentioned in the ‘Book of Revelation’ from the bible as the setting, where the author – John was given and recorded a vision from Jesus.

For this reason, Patmos is a very religious island and has many eastern orthodox churches to visit. Guests can also visit the cave where John is said to have received his revelation from Jesus, so a port rich in history, culture and religion.

has a beautiful sandy beach, in a sheltered cove, where the

Star Clipper drops anchor and offers regular tender services

donkey traffic. A small hamlet of about 10 houses lies to the

to/from the beach. Ashore we were happy to find sun

north-west, but that is it. Again, a real hidden gem of the

loungers and umbrellas, available for a small charge locally,

Greek Islands, which not many would be lucky enough to

but well worth it for the comfort factor. Our bar staff were

experience, or have even heard of before. We explored the

fantastic and brought over a cool box of cold drinks from

small town on the rock for a few hours, wondering around

the bar which we could charge back to our cabins from the

in total amazement and excitement of our discovery of this

beach, as there was no bar there already. We wiled away the

hidden land.

day soaking up the scorching hot sun, bathing in the calm, warm sea and even entertaining a few water sports activities.

Kayaking was as adventurous as we went, but wakeboarding and water skiing were also available, all complimentary for Star Clippers guests of course.

Mykonos – Beautiful Mykonos, with its stunning marina welcoming the Star Clipper. The famous wooden windmills often associated with the Greek islands originate from here, and are littered perfectly around the island to delight sights of locals and visitors alike. The bustling nightlife Mykonos is known for also carries through to the day, and the lively, friendly atmosphere is positively overwhelming. Whether you choose to spend the day shopping in the expensive, luxury boutiques, relaxing on one of the beaches, or indulging in the local delicacies around the marina – you won’t be disappointed with this port of call – often named a highlight by many of our guests!

Monemvasia – One of the unique selling points of a Star Clippers sailing, is that we can take you to smaller ports of call, often untouched by larger cruise lines. Today, as Star Clipper anchors off Monemvasia, this point is very valid. The island is a product of an earthquake in 375AD, separating it from the mainland and meaning it mainly consists of rock. The town is on the slope to the south-east of the rock, overlooking the glittering bay. Many of the streets are extremely narrow and only apt for pedestrian and

STAR CLIPPERS STAR CLIPPERS