DESTINATIONS
Greek Islands
Two or three days of a Turkish charter, spent under another flag.
THE REGION
Kos, Symi, Rhodes. Close enough to see from the hilltops above Bodrum and Datça, and far enough that the coffee changes when you step ashore. A Greek island day is something you add to a Turkish charter, not somewhere you fly separately to reach. No airports, no transfers, just a morning sail and a harbour on the other side. The islands reward slow exploration. A monastery on a hilltop, a taverna on a quay, a swimming cove with no name and no one else in it.
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Symi
A steep amphitheatre of neoclassical houses painted in ochre, terracotta and faded rose. The harbour at Gialos is one of the most photographed in the Aegean and it earns it. Climb to the upper town of Chorio for the view, then come back down to the waterfront for grilled prawns and cold wine.
Rhodes Old Town
A medieval walled city built by the Knights of St. John, now cobblestone lanes, jasmine courtyards and restaurants set into former palaces. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Walk the Street of the Knights at dusk, once the tour groups have gone and the stones still hold the day’s warmth.
Kos
The birthplace of Hippocrates, and still a place that feels good for the soul. Long sandy beaches, the thermal springs at Embros, and a harbour town with more bicycles than cars. The plane tree in the central square is said to be where Hippocrates taught. Whether or not that is true, the shade is excellent.
Nisyros
A volcanic island with a still active crater you can walk into. The village of Mandraki clings to the coast in a jumble of white and colour, and the monastery of Panagia Spiliani sits in a cave above the harbour. Most charter guests have never heard of Nisyros. It is often the island they talk about most afterwards.
WHAT'S ON SHORE
The Greek islands add a second dimension to a Turkish charter. A morning sail, a passport stamp, and a different country, with the same warm water and the same unhurried pace.
Planning
BEST MONTHS
May through October. The Meltemi picks up in July and August, which is exhilarating under sail but worth planning around. June and September offer the calmest crossings.
TYPICAL DURATION
Two or three days inside a seven night charter
COMBINES WELL WITH
Bodrum Bays, Datça Peninsula
BEST FOR
CULTURE, ARCHITECTURE, FOOD
If this sounds like the right coastline for your week, share your dates and we will shape the route from there.