Island-Hopping in Greece: A Private Catamaran Experience
We’re thrilled to share one of our most memorable client journeys — Yvonne and her family’s unforgettable adventure exploring Greece aboard a private catamaran. Join us as we dive into what made this experience so special, from their reasons for choosing this unique voyage to their favorite activities and highlights!
Vacation Date: June 2024
Travel Advisor: Andrea Norfolk
Destination: Greece
Responses written by Yvonne G.
Why did you choose Greece for your vacation?
My husband and I have always wanted to visit Greece and we had decided that once our girls were old enough to remember and appreciate it, we would book the trip. They are now 13 and 14 years old. Once we decided that the summer of 2024 was the right time, we invited my family to come along. In total there were seven of us in total including my sister, my 20-year-old nephew and my mother. My brother and sister-in-law surprised us and met up with us for our last few days in Santorini, so then we were nine.
My husband and I decided after doing some research that rather than booking various ferries and hotels and having to coordinate island hopping and needing to narrowing it down to just a few islands, we wanted to charter a catamaran/yacht with a full crew and take the hotel, ferry and restaurants with us for the experience on the Aegean Sea. I reached out to Andrea at Shoreline Destinations and the planning began. It was incredible!
What was your itinerary for your tour of Greece?
Overall, this was our 13-day itinerary:
2 nights in Athens - First day walking food tour, including the Acropolis; Second day trip to Hydra via ferry.
7-day Private Catamaran Charter - Sailed along the Saronic and Cyclades Islands, leaving from and returning to Athens. In 7 days we were able to visit Aigina, Poros, Serifos, Milos, (including Kleftiko Bay and Provatas Bay), Kimolos (Elephant Bay), Polyaigos, Antiparos, Paros (Naousa), Kythnos (Kolona Bay).
3 nights in Santorini - From Athens Marina we went straight to the airport and headed to Santorini for 3 nights and stayed at the Andronis Arcadia Hotel.
What were your favorite activities while island hopping in Greece?
We rented vespas and ATVs in several islands. In Antiparos we drove around the island and visited the caves. In Kythnos we visited the hot springs.
Seeing the mountain goats in Polyaigos climb up the sides of the island while we were anchored there. It was something we would never believe had we not seen it with our own eyes. Truly incredible.
Trying the incredible gyros at so many different tavernas in different islands. Santorini had our favorite gyro spot. 😉
We went to see The Greek Wedding Show in Fira, Santorini. We danced, laughed, ate tapas, drank wine and broke plates!
We walked down the 200-300 steps in Oia to go cliff jumping in Ammoudi Bay in Oia, Santorini. Then we climbed back up!
What was your most memorable experience?
Sailing through the Aegean Sea and waking up to a new island every morning is a memory we will never forget. As we emerged from our individual cabins in the morning, we were quickly greeted with coffee made exactly to our liking. Eating breakfast while anchored in a different bay every morning for breakfast and docking at a new port by dinner time every night is truly a blessing we will cherish forever. I still can't believe we were lucky enough to have this experience and share it as a family.
What are the top 5 things you did?
Walking Food Tour - In Athens, the walking food tour including the Acropolis was an incredible experience. In a short time we tried so many new foods and desserts, explored the city of Athens and got the see the Acropolis. Seeing the Parthenon lit up at night from our hotel's rooftop bar was breathtaking.
Day Trip to Hydra - Hydra is a bohemian, pedestrian island and was a fun first island to explore on our own. We ate at a beautiful coastline restaurant and really enjoyed swimming in the crystal clear waters for the first time.
Renting Vespas and ATVs - On the different islands it was such a fun way to explore the coastlines and see different sites, like the caves in Antiparos and the hot springs in Kythnos.
Swimming in All the Bays - The bays we stopped at were beautiful, but Kleftiko Bay in Milos was magical. The water is the clearest blue we have ever seen and the island is so white. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
Lunch at Armeni Fish Taverna in Santorini - Getting there alone was an experience. We walked down the steps from Oia and then a private boat picked us up at Ammoudi Bay just before our reservation time. The food was fresh and delicious and the service was phenomenal. Best meal we had the entire trip.
Andronis Arcadia Hotel
How was your experience using Shoreline Destinations?
Andrea Norfolk was great to work with. I told her the type of trip I was trying to create by incorporating Athens at the beginning and Santorini at the end with the charter in the middle and she made it happen for us. All the hotels she picked for us were beautiful and in the center of exactly where we wanted to be. All the transfers were seamless and there were absolutely no issues during our trip. During the planning stages she always communicated with us and let us know what the next steps would be. Working with her was a fantastic experience. We are already brainstorming our next trip and will be in touch soon.
Thank you, Yvonne, for sharing the details of your incredible vacation to Greece! We loved hearing all about your experience. You were an absolute pleasure to work with, and I can’t wait to help plan your next adventure!
- Andrea Norfolk, Travel Advisor
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