| The Saronic
Gulf and Eastern Peloponnesus
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ATHENS Since the Age of Pericles the Acropolis has dominated the Athenian skyline, it is an ancient backdrop to this modern, cosmopolitan city. The bustling city of Athens is crammed with shops, lively tavernas, bars, historic landmarks, and cafes, where you can take refuge from the mid-day sun and enjoy a frappe (ice-coffee). The chic district of Kolonaki has dozens of trendy cafes and boutiques. Nestled beneath Lykavitos Hill, it is "the" place in Athens to sip coffee and people-watch.
The nightlife does not end till the break of dawn. There is a multitude of hip seaside clubs. Wandering around the famous flea market of Monastiraki will prove absolutely delightful. The whole area is littered with ancient ruins. There are several good museums in Athens, but the nations finest is the National Archaeological Museum. Opened since 1874, it has the world's greatest collection of Greek antiquities.
South of Athens is Piraeus, the largest commercial port in Greece with boat connections to all the Greek islands. Continuing along the coast from Piraeus, there are several fine marinas: Marina Zea, charming Micro Limeno with a multitude of outdoor fish tavernas to choose from, Palio Faliro, Kalamki (the largest), Glyfada, and Vouliagmeni, where the rich dock their impressive yachts. In addition there is Lavrion, the newly constructed Olympic Marina, it is a jumping board to the Cyclades. All of these marinas are conveniently located only an hour from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Spata.
From Athens, Kalamaki marina, you can follow two main sailing routes: The
Saronic route and the Cyclades route. The Saronic Gulf Islands are the closest group to Athens. They are a very popular escape for Athenians. SALAMINA AEGINA MONI & ANGISTRI ISLETS POROS HYDRA SPETSES
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| Saronic: |
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| Departure: Athens
Total distance: 175 nautical miles approximately
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| Weather & Wind | |
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Weather & Wind The Meltemi (winds from the North usually strong especially in July and August) does not blow as regularly as it does in the Cyclades or the Dodecanese, if it does blow from North to North East, its strength is usually about force 4-5, it is normally less around the Methana peninsula and Poros. If the Meltemi does not blow, the wind is generally from the South, force 2-3. In the Hydra Gulf and Argolic Gulf, the wind is mostly from the South East, blowing force 3-5 dying down at night. On the Eastern Peloponnesus coast, the wind may be a weak Meltemi from the North East or a southerly usually from the South East. During spring and autumn, the winds are normally weaker and from the South over the whole area |
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There are
hundreds of inexpensive eateries serving up dishes of hearty Greek
cuisine. Often the little holes-in-the-wall with a simple grill and
rickety tables are the best, but if you are looking for something more
upscale, Athens' has it. Some delicious dishes worth sampling are
moussaka (layers of eggplant, minced meat and potatoes topped with
cheese sauce and baked), yemista (stuffed tomatoes or peppers),
soutzokakia (spicey meatballs in tomato sauce), and melizanes
papoutsakia (baked eggplant, stuffed with meat and tomatoes and topped
with cheese). You can also pass the evening at an ouzeri in the old
Turkish quarter of Plaka, nibbling on small plates of mezedhes
(appetizers) and sipping ouzo under the Acropolis.
A stay in
Athens would not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis. Towering
over the winding alleyways of Plaka and Monastiraki, it is unsurpassable
in grandeur, beauty and historic importance. The Parthenon is a
particularly awesome sight in the setting sun and by the light of the
full moon. It was the original city and dwellings of the early Kings and
their court. Pericles spared no expense, only the best materials,
architects, sculptors and artists were good enough for this city
dedicated to the goddess Athena. Amongst the four surviving monuments is
a museum, which houses a collection of sculptures and reliefs from the
site. The Theatre of Herodes Atticus, on the slopes below the Acropolis,
host's dance, drama and music performances throughout the summer.
At the
southeastern tip of Attica, 70km from Athens is Cape Sounion. It is
here, 65m above the sea, where the Temple of Poseidon is located. Built
in 444 BC, during the same time as the Parthenon, the temple is
discernable from a great distance. It is a worthwhile excursion; the
stretch of coastline from Athens is dotted with lovely beach resorts.
Aegina Town, on
the west coast, is the island's charming and bustling, main capital and
port. Its harbor is lined with colorful caiques and several of the
town's crumbling neoclassic buildings survives from its days as the
Greek capital. North of Aegina Town in Livadi is the house where Nikos
Kazantzakis wrote Zorba the Greek. The splendid, well preserved Doric
Temple of Aphaia, erected in 480 BC, is the major ancient site of the
Saronic Gulf Islands. The east coast town of Agia Marina is the island's
premier tourist resort.
Poros was once
two islands, Kalavria and Sferia. Today they are connected by a slender
isthmus, cut by a canal for small boats and rejoined by a road bridge.
The narrow passage of water that separates the southern tip from the
Peloponnesian town of Galatas is only 360m wide at its narrowest point.
The majority of the population lives on the small volcanic islet of
Sferia, where Poros Town is located. It is a pretty settlement of white
houses with terracotta-tiled roofs. To the north is Kalavaria, a large
well-forested island with a shoreline of 42km.
Hydra is the
Saronic Gulf with the most style; it is one of Greece's most exclusive
resorts. The gracious white and pastel stone mansions of Hydra Town are
stacked up the rocky hillsides that surround the fine natural harbor.
Hydra has no motorized transport and the town boasts a busy nightlife.
The waters of Spillia are deep and delightful as well as Mandraki Beach
at Kamini and at Vlyhos. Beaches further off that can be reached with
your boat are Molos and Bisti.
Pine covered
Spetses is the most further of the group from Piraeus. Spetses Town
sprawls along almost half the northeast coast of the island. The
prettiest part of town is around the old harbor, which is a delightful
place to explore. It is ringed by old Venetian buildings, and filled
with of every shape and size. The shipbuilders of Spetses still do
things the traditional way and the shore is dotted with the hulls of
emerging caiques. It lies at the entrance to the Argolic Gulf. Spetses'
coastline is speckled with numerous small, pine-shaded beaches. Beaches
that can be reached by boat are Vrellas and Zogheria on the north side
of the island and the pine trees grow right up to the water's edge. The
beautiful bays of Agia Paraskevi and Agioi Anargyri are on the
southwestern coast. The islet of Kounoupi is to the northeast of Spetses.