Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

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8 Days From

$1590

Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

8 Days Starting and ending in Athens Airport

Visiting: Athens, Euboea, Karystos, Rafina, Panagia, Nea Styra, Eretria, Marmari

Tour operator:

Explore!

Tour code:

FGC

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 20

Physical rating:

Relaxed

Age range:

7-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $1590

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Join our captain, Thanos, for a week aboard a traditional Greek sailing boat exploring the enchanting coastline of Evia. Drop anchor and dive into sea-to-the-bottom-blue waters, spot sea life while snorkelling or soak up the sun on deck. As you cruise from island paradise to island paradise, explore ancient ruins, visit tranquil fishing villages, and indulge on freshly caught seafood at family-run tavernas.

A seafaring adventure - Cruise around the stunning Greek island of Evia on a traditional wooden boat.

None stop swimming - Water babies will love the endless opportunities to dive straight from the boat into the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

Discover the island pace - Get to grips with island life, waking up to a view of the Mediterranean from deck each morning.

Highlights

  • Cruise with our old friend Thanos and members of his family

  • Search out the quiet coves and harbours of traditional Evia

  • Swim, snorkel or venture ashore to explore forts and ancient ruins

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Join Trip At Athens Airport And Transfer To Evia Island To Board Our Caique

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Location: Athens, Euboea, Karystos, Rafina

Accommodation: M/S Isidoros II

Accommodation Name: M/S Isidoros II

Our family adventure begins today at 6pm at Athens International Airport (ATH). The latest your flight can arrive is 5.30pm, giving you time to clear the airport. We'll meet and travel as a group by bus to the port of Rafina or Marathon where we'll catch a ferry to the island of Evia.



On arrival, it's a short taxi or minibus ride to Karystos where our caique will be waiting for us. Before settling into our cabins, we'll meet our friendly boat crew and enjoy a welcome drink.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you have time to spare, Athens is easily accessible by metro from the airport. The airport is well signposted (in English) and it's a direct train. There are also luggage storage facilities at the airport.



Our home for the week is the MV Isidoros II, a traditional wooden caique, owned by our captain and tour leader, Thanos and his family. Thanos has been a part of the Explore family for 20 years - there's nobody better to give you a warm welcome both aboard and to Evia.



The vessel is exclusively chartered by Explore and has just eight cabins. Listed as a historic caique, there are fewer than 80 of the iconic Greek-designed boats left in existence, so being able to stay aboard is a real treat. Ours was built in 1962 and was originally used as a cargo ferry before being converted in 1974 to the comfortable passenger cruiser it is today.



The boat has a large sundeck and a comfortable galley for meals. There is a bar where you can purchase a range of local wine and beer, spirits, and soft drinks. There's also a boat ladder and snorkelling equipment available on board to make the most of the many swimming opportunities. All of the cosy cabins are en-suite with windows and large fans and there is complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Our boat has a real home-from-home feel and you're free to move around as you please. If you'd like to enjoy the clear night sky and cool breeze, you can even choose to sleep on deck.



Evia is one of the largest Greek islands but remains off of the main tourist trail. In summer and on the weekends, you'll find the main visitors are the Greeks leaving the city of Athens to enjoy the waterfront tavernas and uncrowded beaches. This makes visiting Evia an authentic local experience. The rugged coastline is dotted with market towns, fishing villages, secluded coves, and wide sandy beaches. The sea is clear and warm, making it a wonderful spot to swim and snorkel, while the pine-covered hills provide the perfect backdrop and help to keep the evening temperatures cooler.



Please note, the order of the itinerary and inclusions may vary due to weather and cruising conditions.

Day 2: Sail To The Bay Of Panagia

Location: Panagia

Accommodation: M/S Isidoros II

Accommodation Name: M/S Isidoros II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Each morning, the crew will prepare you a hearty breakfast consisting of fresh bread, cheese, ham, eggs, cereals, Greek yoghurt, honey, marmalades, fresh seasonal fruits, and orange juice with coffee or English tea. Our captain also serves tea and coffee with biscuits or cakes at eleven o'clock on deck.



After breakfast, we'll set sail for our first destination, the bay of Panagia, a small fishing village lying in the shelter of a fjord. En route we'll stop to swim in the waters off the rugged and undeveloped coastline. Once in Panagia there'll be the opportunity to see terrapin turtles in the streams behind the picturesque church of St Mary or swim and snorkel in the fjord waters of the bay.



Lunch is generally a hot regional speciality with a vegetarian option served with seasonal salad and a traditional appetiser.



Dinner will be in one of the small, characterful seaside waterfront taverns offering barbecue seafood and traditional dishes with local wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Day 3: Cruise To Porto Buffalo Then On To Panagia

Location: Euboea

Accommodation: M/S Isidoros II

Accommodation Name: M/S Isidoros II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we'll cruise to the Gulf of Evia, where the island splits from the mainland. Greek legends romantically claim that the divide was caused by Poseidon piercing the earth with his trident. We'll travel to Porto Buffalo, a small fishing village port in southern Evia renowned for its fresh fish, the port hosts a beautiful and private lagoon where we'll spend time at the sandy beach or if you're feeling energetic, you can practice jumping off the boat from the top deck into the turquoise Aegean Sea.



We'll continue at a leisurely pace cruising to back to Panagia where we can walk along the coast to a beautiful golden beach in the Bay of Almiropotamos.



Please note that during times of adverse weather, usually when there are high winds, it might not be possible to sail to Eretria. Our captain will monitor the weather daily and make a final decision on the planned route.

Day 4: Morning Cruise In The Bay Of Marathon

Location: Nea Styra, Eretria

Accommodation: M/S Isidoros II

Accommodation Name: M/S Isidoros II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we cruise towards Nea Styra. This area has several stunning beaches and boasts a beautiful coastline with clear waters inviting you to swim and snorkel. The rolling hills above Nea Styra lead to a silver-green valley of olive trees where we'll have the opportunity to explore in the afternoon.



As the sun sets in the historic bay of Marathon, the promenade comes to life with locals and visitors taking in a typical Mediterranean stroll before dining alfresco.

Day 5: Swim And Snorkel In Nea Styra, Afternoon Cruise To Figias And Marmari

Location: Marmari, Nea Styra

Accommodation: M/S Isidoros II

Accommodation Name: M/S Isidoros II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a leisurely start to the day, we'll set sail and cruise towards Figias and onto Marmari, a typical Aegean fishing village with numerous tavernas and cafes dotted along the promenade. There'll be ample opportunity to swim and snorkel off the boat close to the rocky shores.

Day 6: Cruise To Pelai Islands For Swimming And On To Karystos

Location: Karystos

Accommodation: M/S Isidoros II

Accommodation Name: M/S Isidoros II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we'll cruise towards the archipelagos of Petali, where seven private and exclusive islands offer the best of a 'jet set' life in the Aegean. Once the summer residence of the Greek royal family, today it's the playground of the Picasso family, the Embiricos ship owners, and other such tycoons. Maria Calas, one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century, spent many summers here and we'll drop anchor to enjoy the good life ourselves with opportunities to swim, snorkel or just relax on the deck amongst the rich and famous. In the late afternoon, we'll set sail for Karystos.

Day 7: Cruise To Bouros Bay And On To Karystos

Location: Marmari

Accommodation: Hotel, Galaxy

Accommodation Name: Hotel Galaxy

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we can visit the Venetian mountain castle of Castello Rosso in Gourna which is a well-preserved fourth-crusade fortress that commands the sea corridor between Asia and Europe, the entry to the Black Sea.



Our final stop on our cruise is Bouros in Karystos bay where we'll drop anchor for the last time to swim and snorkel in the amazing clear waters of the Aegean. After docking at the harbour, we'll bid farewell to our friendly crew.



Tonight, we'll stay in a waterfront hotel in Karystos. We can visit the famous Montofoli winery estate or enjoy an afternoon in Kohyli Coves which is walking distance from our hotel.

Day 8: Ferry To Rafina And Transfer To Athens Airport Where Trip Ends

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Location: Rafina, Athens

Meals Included: Breakfast

Departing Karystos this morning, we'll take a short taxi or minibus ride back to Marmari or Styra to board the ferry for the journey back to Rafina or Marathon on mainland Greece. Our ferry will depart at approximately 9.50am. From Rafina we'll transfer to Athens International Airport (ATH), where we'll arrive at around 11.30am and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 1.30pm.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

  • Meals – Breakfast Only

  • Fully Guided

  • 6 lunches

What's Not Included

Why Book this Tour

This holiday is designed for families who want to relax and unwind in the beautiful Aegean Sea. A week's cruising along the coastline of Evia Island with its beautiful beaches, cafe culture with locally run taverns' and a sprinkling of historical attractions is sure to be attractive. Thanos, our Greek boat captain who has been working with Explore for many years, is sure to entertain and explain the sites and routing that he has been sailing along since he was a young boy.

Meals

Breakfasts: 7
Lunches: 6

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?

    It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.

  • Should I get travel insurance?

    Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.

  • What is the accommodation like?

    We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.

  • Do I need to be very fit to book with you?

    All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o

  • Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel

    It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Ailsa  

Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

Many thanks to Thanos and his crew. All looked aft

Many thanks to Thanos and his crew. All looked after the teenagers very well.

Nicholas  

Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

We had a lovely time!

We had a lovely time!

Jocelyne  

Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

We loved the information and help provided by Than

We loved the information and help provided by Thanos.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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