A typical week in Saronic & Argolic gulf
DAY 1 Kalamaki Marina - Poros (15 miles)
POROS lies very close to the Peloponnese, separated from it by a narrow channel.
The island is extensively wooded with pine trees reaching to the shore. In ancient times
Poseidon was the patron and a few remains of a temple to Poseidon can be found on
a picturesque side of the east coast. Poros town, built on rocky slopes, is attractive
and the approach by sea one of the most beautiful in Greece.
DAY 2 Poros – Spetses (22 miles)
SPETSES is mostly covered by pine trees. The attractive town is popular with tourists
and Athenians alike. The old harbor and environs with many grand old houses is a
wonderful place to wander around. The local yards build the Spetses caique which is
considered to be among the best in Greece. John Fowles' novel "The Magus" is set on
the island. In September, a small caique rigged out as an old trader is set on fire to
commemorate the revolt against the Turks. This is accompanied by a noisy fireworks
display and much merriment.
DAY 3 Spetses - Yerakas (14 miles)
YERAKAS is a small hamlet surrounded by the hostile mountains of the Parnon
mountain touched by outside influences. The entrance is almost invisible, hidden
between the high cliffs. On the summit of the entrance is an extensive ruined acropolis,
probably of Mycenaean origin. In the hot afternoon sun, out of the cooling touch of the
meltemi, the whole hamlet snoozes until the cool of evening when things come to life
again.
DAY 4 Yerakas- Monemvassia (15 miles)
MONEMVASSIA island was called Minoa in ancient times, suggesting a Cretan
influence. The humpbacked island, often called the Gibraltar of the Aegean, is
connected to the Peolponnese by a causeway. The old fortified village is of Byzantine
origin although the Venetians rebuilt much of it. There are a number of interesting
churches in the village; to get to the best one, Agia Sofia, you have to climb up the zig-
zag path behind the village to the summit. The fortified path and tunnel into the fort,
with its iron gates still intact, is as impressive as the fortification at the top. The views
from the summit are simply stunning.
DAY 5 Monemvassia - Kyparissi
The lonely, quiet bay of Kyparissi lies under impressive mountain Parnon.
The little village is quite attractive, and yachts share the dock with local fishermen.
This is a good place to buy fresh seafood and cook on board, then spend the night on
deck looking at the stars. This is a favorite place of former president George Bush,
who visits with friends here for relaxation and mountain jogging .
DAY 6 Kyparissi - Hydra (22 miles)
HYDRA harbor and town is one of the most beautiful ports in the Greek islands. The
island itself is mountainous, and arid. In 1821 it was the first island to pledge its
sizable fleet to the Greek cause. It has been said that but for the Hydriot fleet and
sailors, the War of Independence against the Turks would not have been won. Hydra
is a fashionable resort for the rich and famous. The town retains its 18th and 19th
century architecture, with large, stately sea captains' homes built around the natural
amphitheater above the harbor. There are no cars on the island -- transportation is on
foot or by donkey or water taxi -- and the total lack of vehicles adds to the
atmosphere.
DAY 6 Hydra - Aegina (18 miles)
AEGINA town is a busy little place, but very pleasant and homey. It has the
distinction of being the first place in Greece where the Greek flag was raised at the end
of the War of Independence. After the Independence War, it became the first capital
of Greece. The single Dorian column on Cape Colona nearby is all that remains of the
Temple of Aphrodite that formerly stood there. The temple of Aphaia -- a miniature
prototype for the Parthenon -- is definitely worth a visit.
DAY 7 Aegina - Kalamaki.
With more days in the Saronic Islands, other destinations can be added, such as
Navplion, Plaka Leonidion, deserted Dokos island, and Epidaurus, site of the famous
amphitheater.
POROS lies very close to the Peloponnese, separated from it by a narrow channel.
The island is extensively wooded with pine trees reaching to the shore. In ancient times
Poseidon was the patron and a few remains of a temple to Poseidon can be found on
a picturesque side of the east coast. Poros town, built on rocky slopes, is attractive
and the approach by sea one of the most beautiful in Greece.
DAY 2 Poros – Spetses (22 miles)
SPETSES is mostly covered by pine trees. The attractive town is popular with tourists
and Athenians alike. The old harbor and environs with many grand old houses is a
wonderful place to wander around. The local yards build the Spetses caique which is
considered to be among the best in Greece. John Fowles' novel "The Magus" is set on
the island. In September, a small caique rigged out as an old trader is set on fire to
commemorate the revolt against the Turks. This is accompanied by a noisy fireworks
display and much merriment.
DAY 3 Spetses - Yerakas (14 miles)
YERAKAS is a small hamlet surrounded by the hostile mountains of the Parnon
mountain touched by outside influences. The entrance is almost invisible, hidden
between the high cliffs. On the summit of the entrance is an extensive ruined acropolis,
probably of Mycenaean origin. In the hot afternoon sun, out of the cooling touch of the
meltemi, the whole hamlet snoozes until the cool of evening when things come to life
again.
DAY 4 Yerakas- Monemvassia (15 miles)
MONEMVASSIA island was called Minoa in ancient times, suggesting a Cretan
influence. The humpbacked island, often called the Gibraltar of the Aegean, is
connected to the Peolponnese by a causeway. The old fortified village is of Byzantine
origin although the Venetians rebuilt much of it. There are a number of interesting
churches in the village; to get to the best one, Agia Sofia, you have to climb up the zig-
zag path behind the village to the summit. The fortified path and tunnel into the fort,
with its iron gates still intact, is as impressive as the fortification at the top. The views
from the summit are simply stunning.
DAY 5 Monemvassia - Kyparissi
The lonely, quiet bay of Kyparissi lies under impressive mountain Parnon.
The little village is quite attractive, and yachts share the dock with local fishermen.
This is a good place to buy fresh seafood and cook on board, then spend the night on
deck looking at the stars. This is a favorite place of former president George Bush,
who visits with friends here for relaxation and mountain jogging .
DAY 6 Kyparissi - Hydra (22 miles)
HYDRA harbor and town is one of the most beautiful ports in the Greek islands. The
island itself is mountainous, and arid. In 1821 it was the first island to pledge its
sizable fleet to the Greek cause. It has been said that but for the Hydriot fleet and
sailors, the War of Independence against the Turks would not have been won. Hydra
is a fashionable resort for the rich and famous. The town retains its 18th and 19th
century architecture, with large, stately sea captains' homes built around the natural
amphitheater above the harbor. There are no cars on the island -- transportation is on
foot or by donkey or water taxi -- and the total lack of vehicles adds to the
atmosphere.
DAY 6 Hydra - Aegina (18 miles)
AEGINA town is a busy little place, but very pleasant and homey. It has the
distinction of being the first place in Greece where the Greek flag was raised at the end
of the War of Independence. After the Independence War, it became the first capital
of Greece. The single Dorian column on Cape Colona nearby is all that remains of the
Temple of Aphrodite that formerly stood there. The temple of Aphaia -- a miniature
prototype for the Parthenon -- is definitely worth a visit.
DAY 7 Aegina - Kalamaki.
With more days in the Saronic Islands, other destinations can be added, such as
Navplion, Plaka Leonidion, deserted Dokos island, and Epidaurus, site of the famous
amphitheater.
