West Cyclades Sailing Trip

Day 1: Lavrion – Kythnos (Loutra)  (28nm)

Start your trip heading to Kythnos with a stop to Makronisos. Like a sun-drenched memory tormented by dark secrets, the blue of the Aegean is flecked with black traces of its past (dictatorship). It has been estimated that by the time the camp closed for good in 1961, over 100.000 people had suffered on Makronisos for their ideas, for their dignity. The island is marked by it’s memory …

 Then history turned a page and the island of torment transformed into place of joy. In mythology the island is named after Fair Helen, who stopped off here on her way to Troy.

Arriving at Kythnos island you can moor at the bay of Loutra . This small fishermen’s village of Loutra (Baths) has  a natural spa of thermal waters. 

The remains of a Mesolithic settlement from the 9th-8th millennium BC near Loutra, are the oldest evidence of domestic dwelling that has come to light in the Cyclades to date.  The first historically recorded inhabitants of the island (they are referred by to Herodotus) were the Dryopes and Kythnos was the name of their colony’s founder and leader.  The ancienr city of Kythnos stood on the site of modern-day Vryokastro, and important antiquities have come to light there. The island has two main settlements: Chora (or Mesaria) and Dryopida (or Chorio). Both towns are served by nearby harbors : Chora by Loutra with its thermal springs to the north-east and Dryopida by Kanala, with its church of the same name, on the south-east coast. The island’s port Merichas, lies between the two villages. 

Day 2: Kythnos Loutra to Sifnos (Kamares) (30nm)

Set  sail for the bay of Aghios Stephanos for a swim, making a longer passage to the port of Kamares on Sifnos. Sifnos is the island of flavours. Unique traditional villages, organized or secluded beaches, and 227 churches spread around the island are waiting to be discovered.

The historic settlement of Kástro (meaning “castle”), inhabited since ancient times, is built over the ruins of ancient Sífnos, on an abrupt rock with a breathtaking view of the sea. A beautiful outdoor museum and one of the most picturesque villages in the island, Kástro stands out for its old houses with the wooden balconies, the ancient columns and the narrow courtyards.

The visitor still enters the village from “lozies”, the castle’s old entrances. In the past, these arcade-like entrances were used as war towers in order to protect the settlement. The houses in the front, built one next to another, used to be inhabited by lower class people, whereas the inner, and more protected part of the settlement was occupied by the upper class. Admire the picturesque little church of “Eftamártyros” (Church of Seven Martyrs), perched on a rock that seems to rise from the sea, and don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum.

Day 3: Sifnos  to Milos (Adhamas) (25nm)

Cruise along the coast of Sifnos, stop for a swim at “Vathi” protected bay and then head for Milos. The volcanic activity in ancient years has endowed Milos island with an exciting variety of gorgeous landscapes, consequently offering the visitor a wide range of activities. The funny shapes of the rocks and their wonderful colours at the beautiful white sandy beaches are one expression of the volcanic features of Mílos; the economic activity is another: minerals such as obsidian are excavated here. What is more, one of the most ancient mines in the Mediterranean is on this island.

References had been made by Hippocrates to the peculiar morphology of spectacular caves (Papáfragkas and Sykiá) and a multitude of thermal springs (Kanáva, Alykí, Provatá, Pikropiyí).The diving enthusiasts will find a paradise in the underwater caves in the triangle formed by Mílos, Kimolos and Polýegos islands.

The island’s villages are lovely too: the stately Pláka (the island’s capital), the harbour of Adámantas, the beautiful Hivadolímni, the marvellous Emporiós with the little lagoon of Revary and the old iron mines.     

If weather allows, stop at the white-washed rocks of Sarakiniko on the north bay of Milos.

Day 4:  Milos –  Kimolos (32nm)

End your day at the port of Psathi on the island of Kimolos. The village and the small port are very picturesque and definitely worth the visit.

Day 5:  Polyaigos –  Serifos (25nm)

Start your day with a  swim at the uninhabited island of Polyaigos. The beaches there are among the best in the Cyclades and continue to Serifos. 

Serifos Island, with its rugged mining sites, ladened with history, has its own distinct Cycladic flair. The island exudes a calm atmosphere and speaks directly to your senses. Despite its arid and wild land characteristics, Serifos is gracefully embraced by the deep blue colours of the Aegean Sea and has some magnificent beaches, such as ‘Kalo Ambeli”. 

Stop in the port of Livadhia for the night and visit the “Chora” town which is built amphitheatrically on a rocky hill commanding the island from the top. It is one of the most elegant Cycladic towns that will inspire you. You’ll get to visit two neighborhoods; Pano (meaning upper) Chora and Kato (meaning lower) Chora connected by a stairway. You’ll find some bars, cafés and tavernas in the town’s narrow streets blending in with the whole scene harmoniously. It is worth taking a 10 minutes walk up to the Venetian castle, built in the 15th century, to drink in the view of the blue sea! 

Day 6:  Serifos – Kythnos (28nm)

Start early in the morning  to arrive at Kolona beach on Kythnos!  

Day 7:  Kythnos – Sounio –  Lavrion (30nm)

Sail towards your final destination at Lavrion, in our base, arriving until 18:00 back at  Olympic Marine.

 If you want you can visit Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. God of the Sea at Sounio, is one of the most inspiring memorable sights in Greece. From the moment one first spies the tall elegant columns, while approaching Sounio along the Attic coast, the ancient temple’s ruins elicit awe. The sound of the wind calms the mind…. The magnificent panoramic view of Aegean Sea calms the heart…. 

God Poseidon was very important for ancient Greeks, and the scale of the Temple at Cape Sounio reflects that. The temple has long played an important part in Greek mythology and history. The first recorded mention of it occurs in the Odyssey, as the last safe landing, before Poseidon scattered the returning Greek navy. 

Day 8: Disembarkation at 09:00 in the morning for check out