Sail Greece: Skiathos, Skopelos & Alonnisos

Trip Code: ZSKS

Why we love it

Set sail on a comfortable catamaran yacht with your experienced skipper navigating the route, and an onboard host who will prepare breakfast and lunch each day., Feast on delicious traditional food at local tavernas during your free evenings on the islands – if there’s one thing other than the sun and sand that Greece is known for, it’s the fresh cuisine., Sail past the iconic church of Agios Ioannis, which was made famous by Mamma Mia, during your sail to the remote parts of the archipelago., Observe the elusive Mediterranean monk seal and the many dolphins that call the National Marine Park of Sporades home – as you relax in the catamaran’s onboard net, the dolphins may be swimming beside you!, Swim, stand-up paddleboard and snorkel as you balance lively port towns with remote islands, where only a handful of fisherman or monks wander.

Is this trip right for me?

The majority of this trip takes place on a sailing boat and need to feel comfortable moving about the vessel, including the use of stairs. With that said, sea legs come naturally to some but not so much for others – it's recommended that you bring sea sickness medication just in case.

Our yachts have a small Zodiac on board, used to transport travellers to shore if we need to anchor in the bay. However, we will most often overnight in the small marinas on each island we visit, so the Zodiacs aren’t used. Zodiacs can sometimes be awkward to climb in and out of, but a sense of humour and a can-do attitude are all you need.

This is an adventure on board a real yacht, which means living spaces, cabins, bathrooms and showers need to be shared with other passengers. Sleeping quarters can be quite compact, but you will be spending the majority of your time above board in the open air.

Time on the water also means time in the sun. Remember to pack sun protection, such as sunscreen and a hat, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. See ‘Essential Trip Information’ below for a full packing list.

Please note that smooth sailing is dependent on the weather, so itinerary changes may occur at the last minute if the weather becomes unfavourable. If any changes are made, you can trust in your knowledgeable skipper to choose an alternative route or activity.

Important information

This trip starts on day 1 at 4.30pm

ACCOMMODATION ON BOARD THE YACHT
This trip is onboard a catamaran sailing yacht that accommodates up to 10 travelers plus 1 Intrepid skipper and 1 onboard host.
The cabin types that are available are as follows:
2 Double bed cabins with private bathroom
2 Triple share cabins with private bathroom
Your onboard host will be preparing your included breakfast and lunch everyday onboard plus one evening dinner. You will have all other evenings free to enjoy optional dinners at the local restaurants that will be available at every stop throughout the itinerary.

HOT WEATHER:
Summer temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

PASSPORT DETAILS:
Please provide full passport details at time of booking including exact name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, issue and expiry dates as these are essential for booking services on this trip.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION:
Please note that the majority of our sailing trips start and/or finish at a marina or port. If you have pre-booked any additional accommodation through us, you will need to make your own way to the joining point on day 1 and from the finish point on the final day. We do not provide transfers between hotels and the port/marina. Please check the Essential Trip Information for joining and finishing points.

What to bring/pack

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Space on board the vessel is very limited - for your own comfort and safety, luggage should be kept to an absolute minimum. The use of a backpack, soft sports bag or duffle bag is recommended - we highly recommend you do not travel with a hard suitcase. If you are travelling with a larger bag or suitcase you can leave these bags at your hotel [usually for a small fee]. This is only applicable if you are returning to the same hotel at the end of the trip, if you aren't, it will be your own responsibility to make your own way back to collect your luggage. If you are leaving a bag at a hotel or in a locker do not leave cash, credit cards, passports or any irreplaceable belongings behind.
Daypack [a smaller back pack that you can take with you on island excursions]
Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures [shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants]
A fleece or warmer jumper for the evenings or early mornings
A light rain coat or poncho
Comfortable shoes [trainers or walking shoes are sufficient for most trips]
Sandals or thongs/flip flops/jandals
Sunscreen [bio degradable and waterproof if available] and lip balm [to combat the effects of wind burn]
Sunhat [that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water]
Swimming costume
Rash vest [for sun protection while snorkelling and swimming]
Water bottle [filtered water is available on board the boat]
Bio-degradable shampoo, conditioner and soap
Dry bag
Beach Towel
Sarong
Pegs [so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry]
Insect repellent [for island visits]
Adaptor/electrical plug
Camera
Earplugs
Batteries [if you do not have rechargeable camera batteries]
Please ensure you travel with all required medicines, pain killers and toiletries that you may need while in on this sailing trip. You are travelling to quite a remote destination and will not have immediate access to pharmacies and even then they may not stock your required medication.

Special Items required for this trip
- There are many opportunities for snorkelling during this trip. Diving masks, snorkels and fins are provided onboard the yacht and are for use by all passengers. Some passengers choose to bring their own, however this is a personal choice.
- Beach towels are not provided so you will need to bring your own.
- Underwater disposable camera
- During our trip, we are usually sailing and anchoring in sheltered waters. However, it is possible we may encounter some movement in open waters - if you are prone to motion sickness, and you might wish to bring some preventative medication.

Physical rating

 
2

We don't ask travellers to complete a physical participation form for this trip however we do ask you read through the trip notes carefully to ensure that this trip is the right trip for you. This applies to any included activities and moving around the boat. The cabins and communal areas of the boat are spread over 2 decks. The steps between the decks are steep

Joining your group

Fregio Gelateria Shop, Paraliakos, Nea Paralia 370 02, Skiathos Port, Skiathos, GREECE

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

Finishing your trip

Skiathos Port, Skiathos, Greece, Skiathos, GREECE

Alternate Finish Point


Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 7

Lunches included: 6

Dinners included: 1

Climate & seasonal information

HOT WEATHER
Summer temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your skipper straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your skipper may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the skipper to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. But we do ask you to be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is complete.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency, Intrepid's Europe Operations Team can be reached on the number listed below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

Intrepid DMC East Europe: Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

Accommodations

ACCOMMODATION ON BOARD THE YACHT
This trip is accommodated entirely on board a catamaran yacht of between 44ft to 46ft. The catamaran is equipped with a mixture of 2 x double cabins, 2 x triple bunk cabins which all have ensuite bathrooms. Our boats are real yachts and this is a real sailing trip. Yachts are designed to keep sleeping areas to the absolute minimum of space, while maximising common areas as much as possible.

Single passengers will be paired up with other passengers of the same gender in a triple share cabin. If you’d prefer not to share a cabin, you can choose to book a double cabin with a single supplement. The single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge. Everyone including the skipper shares the bathrooms on board.

While not everyone may feel entirely comfortable living in such close quarters, those who are looking to revel in the adventure and exhilaration of an authentic sailing trip usually find any discomfort from cramped living conditions is more than made up for by the whole experience.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION:
Please note that the majority of our sailing trips start and/or finish at a marina or port. For most of our destinations, we can provide transfers between the airport/hotel and the port/marina. Please check the joining and finish point information in the trip notes for details.

ELECTRICITY:
While there should be electricity on board throughout your trip the voltage is likely to vary widely, from 12V to 220V, and when in port or moored we are dependent on the supply available. Please be aware that the supply may not be sufficient to power some electronic devices all the time and that you may need a voltage adapter or similar (such as portable inverter used in cars). On some trips it may be possible to charge devices ashore at restaurants or resorts, however this is not guaranteed.

Transportation

We use a catamaran yacht between 44ft and 46 ft which comfortably sleeps 10 customers. All bathrooms have hot water, and there is air conditioning in all cabins and common areas. You can sleep well on memory foam mattresses and enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning from the yacht’s coffee machine. High speed internet with limitless data and a music system onboard the yacht will keep you entertained. There is a fully equipped galley kitchen, and you will be accompanied by an Intrepid host who will prepare breakfasts and light lunches each day. For all your adventure activities you will have the use of snorkeling equipment, 2 stand-up paddleboards and some noodles to help you kick back and relax while in the water.