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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions II
Getting to my yacht
How can I get to the islands?
For details and links please visit our links and island pages. Many islands
have their own airport. If you are unable to find flights we can help.
For transfers to and from yachts, we will be glad to help you find the
most suitable travel arrangements.
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I am chartering my yacht from another location. How can I get there?
Depending on where you are coming from and where you are going, we
will be able to suggest the most convenient route for you. Please ask.
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What happens during a check-in and check-out?
For bare-boat charters, the check-in is when you will go over the
yacht and its contents with the owner or company representative. You will
be given a copy of the yacht's inventory and will be asked to check that
all the items listed are aboard the yacht and in proper working order.
If anything is not, you need to point it out here so you will not be charged
for any losses or damages that you are not responsible for. You will also
be shown anything you need to know about the workings of the yacht and
its equipment and should feel comfortable to ask for help if you do not
understand anything. Once everything is agreed, you will be asked for
a security deposit that can either be paid in cash or by cheque, and in
some cases by credit card. You will be asked for your certificates and/or
sailing experience documentation. If you haven't already done so, you
will need to sign five copies of the charter party contract, 3 copies
of the crew list detailing names, addresses and passport numbers of the
entire crew and an acceptance statement to say that you have seen and
checked the yacht. (For skippered charters this procedure is less formal,
but it is a good idea to check the yacht over anyway before signing any
papers.) You will then be handed the keys to the yacht and documents granting
permission from the port authorities to set sail.
The check-out is the same but in reverse order, with the owner or
representative checking the yachts for any damage. In some cases a
diver may be sent down to check the hull. You may be asked for a cleaning
charge, whether or not the boat has been brought back clean. This
is at the discretion of the yacht owner.
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Greek Islands
Which island area should I choose?
This depends on your level of sailing experience, what kind of
holiday you want, and what you are most looking to find in Greece. Every
group of islands has something unique and special to offer. It may be
necessary to come back at least six years in a row to fully appreciate
which islands to visit. A brief guide might be as follows:
1 Limited sailing experience, looking for beautiful beaches and pleasant
sailing areas = Ionion islands
2 Limited to average sailing experience looking for beautiful beaches,
tranquility, some lively towns, marine nature = the
Sporades islands
3 Average sailing experience looking for history, traditional Greece,
some lively islands and tourism = Athens
and the Saronicos
4 Average to frequent sailing experience, looking for remote dry and rocky
landscapes, some lively touristy resorts and culture = the
Dodecanese
5 Frequent sailing experience looking for tourist highspots, lively islands,
popular summer islands = the Cyclades
6 Something a little different, less touristy =
Volos and the gulf of Volos, Porto Carras and Halkidiki.
Further details from our islands page
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The Sporades islands
Why should I choose to sail in the Sporades islands?
The Sporades are among the most beautiful and most understated islands
in Greece. They offer the perfect cruising ground to all kinds of sailors
- novice to experienced. They do not have the often dangerous and unpredictable
winds of the Cyclades, or the vast distances between islands that other
island groups may have. Each island can be reached within a few hours
from the previous one and there are innumerable bays, beaches and harbours
to stop at. See our charts
and distances page. The islands (except perhaps Skiathos) are still
fairly unspoilt by excessive tourism, yet you can find anything you need.
The Sporades islands can appeal to the young and adventurous or to those
desiring a more peaceful holiday. For further details, please visit our
islands page.
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What kind of sailing experience do I need to sail there?
If you don't have much sailing experience, or if you are sailing with
children or others who may be nervous of the sea, the Sporades are ideal.
The main sailing routes are protected from the north, and the seas don't
pick up the swell that you find further south. Most often the sea is calm
with a stiff breeze and there are plenty of places to stop at should the
wind change suddenly. There's not much chance of being caught at sea.
On the other hand, if you prefer a bit more adventure, you could take
the northern routes round the islands in August and face the Meltemi full
on - at your own risk! Find out more about harbours
and anchorages in the Sporades.
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What other activities are there to do in these islands?
There is plenty to do in the Sporades islands. Physical activities in
addition to sailing and swimming at some of the most golden sandy beaches
in Europe, include: snorkelling, scuba diving, horse riding, island-hopping
on local cruise boats, moped hiring, cycling, hiking, trekking and donkey
trails. You can also visit the National Marine park and catch a glimpse
of Europe's most endangered mammal - the Mediterranean Monk seal, and
undoubtedly dolphins. For nightlife there are plenty of bars and night-clubs,
primarily in Skiathos. There is also a great deal of cultural and historical
entertainment on the island, from visiting museums, monasteries and ruined
castles to art centres and craft workshops. For more information visit
our holiday activities
page.
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Odyssey
Sailing is officially registered and bonded with the Greek National
Tourist Organisation (GNTO - EOT). Licence Number : 00015 and is a
member of the Hellenic Yacht Brokers Association (HYBA). |
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