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moreOne week cruise

- SOUNION
Cape Sounion is a promontory located 69 km (43 mi, by road) SSE of Athens, at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula in Greece.
Cape Sounion is noted as the site of ruins of an ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in classical mythology. The remains are perched on the headland, surrounded on three sides by the sea. The ruins bear the deeply engraved name of English Romantic poet Lord Byron (1788 - 1824).
The site is a popular day-excursion for tourists from Athens, with sunset over the Aegean Sea, as viewed from the ruins, a sought-after spectacle.
According to legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea. The story goes that Aegeus, anxiously looking out from Sounion, despaired when he saw a black sail on his son Theseus 's ship, returning from Crete.
The earliest literary reference to Sounion is in Homer 's poem the Odyssey, probably composed in the 8th century B.C. This recounts the mythical tribulations suffered by Greek hero Odysseus in a gruelling 10-year sea-voyage to return to his native island, Ithaca in the Ionian sea, from the sack of Troy. This ordeal was supposedly inflicted upon him by Poseidon, to whom the temple at Sounion was dedicated.
We are told that, as the various Greek commanders sailed back from Troy, the helmsman of King Menelaos of Sparta 's ship died at his post while rounding "holy Sounion, cape of Athens". Menelaos landed at Sounion to give his companion full funeral honours (i.e. cremation on a funeral pyre on the beach).
Odysseus' ship was blown far off course, to the land of the lotus-eaters, believed to be an island off the north African coast (possibly Djerba, Tunisia). From there he sailed to the land of the Cyclops (one-eyed giants), where he and his surviving men were captured by Polyphemus, a cyclops who was the son of Poseidon by a nymph.
Ancient Greek religion was essentially propitiatory in nature: i.e., based on the notion that to avoid misfortune, one must constantly seek the favour of the relevant gods by prayers, gifts and sacrifices.
In a maritime country like Greece, the god of the sea was bound to occupy a high position in the divine hierarchy. In power, Poseidon was considered second only to Zeus (Jupiter), the supreme god himself.
The temple at Sounion, therefore, was a venue where mariners, and also entire cities or states, could propitiate Poseidon, by making animal sacrifice, or leaving gifts. The temple of Poseidon was constructed in approx. 440 B.C., over the ruins of a temple dating from the Archaic Period. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 m. The design of the temple is a typical hexastyle i.e. it had a front portico with 6 columns. Only some columns of the Sounion temple stand today, but intact it would have closely resembled the contemporary and well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect.
- KYTHNOS, LOUTRA
Kythnos or Thermia is situated between the islands of Gia & Serifos, 52 nautical miles from Piraeus port, a distance which conventional boats cover in 3 hours, whereas from Lavrio?s port the distance is approximately 2 hours. Its extent of ground is 99klm2 with 1.500 permanent residents. Most probably the island was named after its founder Kythno, even though his existence is very ambivalent. The word (driopic or Phoenician in origin) it?s possible that may be based on the root ?kyth? which comes from the verb ?keyftho? which means hide (the participle =dark, deep place where someone can disappear). This interpretation of the name arraigns to some physical attribute of the island during the premature ancientry (shadowy forests, deep valleys or caves or mines).
According to archaeological & anthropological findings, the island was inhabited since the 8th millennium B.C. Recent palaiontological findings in Maroulas place, near to today?s Loutra, found traces of 4 tombs of the middle Stone Period, a fact that proves that maybe here there was the most ancient installation of people in the Cyclades islands.
The existence of 20 circular constructions out of cleft stones was also registered in the area of Skouries, which surrounded extractive ovens as well as a mine of copper extraction located in cape Jouli, which belongs to the first Cycladic period.
The first residents were most probably Greek-Pelasgians, while in the Median (???????) years were Driopes. Of competent importance also, are the Cyclopean Walls as well as the temples that they left behind. After Driopes the island was inhabited by Ionians. Later on, Aristotle refers to the Kythnian City and considers it as ideal.
During the Roman Times the island was part of Achaias County & later on Byzantines included it in ?Aegean Theme?. In 1207 A.C. the French Empire also imposed herself to the island by the Venetian Marcus Sanoudus. In 1292 A.C, Thermia (this is how the island was named during the Medieval Times, due to the founts that spurt warm waters) were conquered by the admiral of Aragonia, while in 1537 were conquered by the Russians. However, in 1827 the island gained back its ancient name-Kythnos- & participated to the liberal battle against the Turks.
In 1862, rebels who came from the island of Syros with the boat ?Karteria? battled with the army forces who remained loyal to Othon & had arrived with the boat ?Amalia?.
During the battles, those who were in favor of the royalties dominated over their opponents, and as result rebels Leotsakos, Moraitinis & Skarvlelis were executed.
These facts gained their own place in the contemporary history and named ?Kythniaka?. Nowadays in the cove of Aghia Eirini, next to Loutra there is a marble plaque with all these names to the memory of these first rebels who fought for our country?s democracy.
www.kythnos.gr
- KYTHNOS-MERICHAS
Kythnos or Thermia is situated between the islands of Gia & Serifos, 52 nautical miles from Piraeus port, a distance which conventional boats cover in 3 hours, whereas from Lavrio?s port the distance is approximately 2 hours. Its extent of ground is 99klm2 with 1.500 permanent residents. Most probably the island was named after its founder Kythno, even though his existence is very ambivalent. The word (driopic or Phoenician in origin) it?s possible that may be based on the root ?kyth? which comes from the verb ?keyftho? which means hide (the participle =dark, deep place where someone can disappear). This interpretation of the name arraigns to some physical attribute of the island during the premature ancientry (shadowy forests, deep valleys or caves or mines).
According to archaeological & anthropological findings, the island was inhabited since the 8th millennium B.C. Recent palaiontological findings in Maroulas place, near to today?s Loutra, found traces of 4 tombs of the middle Stone Period, a fact that proves that maybe here there was the most ancient installation of people in the Cyclades islands.
The existence of 20 circular constructions out of cleft stones was also registered in the area of Skouries, which surrounded extractive ovens as well as a mine of copper extraction located in cape Jouli, which belongs to the first Cycladic period.
The first residents were most probably Greek-Pelasgians, while in the Median (???????) years were Driopes. Of competent importance also, are the Cyclopean Walls as well as the temples that they left behind. After Driopes the island was inhabited by Ionians. Later on, Aristotle refers to the Kythnian City and considers it as ideal.
During the Roman Times the island was part of Achaias County & later on Byzantines included it in ?Aegean Theme?. In 1207 A.C. the French Empire also imposed herself to the island by the Venetian Marcus Sanoudus. In 1292 A.C, Thermia (this is how the island was named during the Medieval Times, due to the founts that spurt warm waters) were conquered by the admiral of Aragonia, while in 1537 were conquered by the Russians. However, in 1827 the island gained back its ancient name-Kythnos- & participated to the liberal battle against the Turks.
In 1862, rebels who came from the island of Syros with the boat ?Karteria? battled with the army forces who remained loyal to Othon & had arrived with the boat ?Amalia?.
During the battles, those who were in favor of the royalties dominated over their opponents, and as result rebels Leotsakos, Moraitinis & Skarvlelis were executed.
These facts gained their own place in the contemporary history and named ?Kythniaka?. Nowadays in the cove of Aghia Eirini, next to Loutra there is a marble plaque with all these names to the memory of these first rebels who fought for our country?s democracy.www.kythnos.gr - SERIFOS-LIVADION
An island of strong contrasts with an active magnetic field created by its metalliferous rocks, it's an ideal proposal for relaxed holidays in a clearly Cycladic environment or for intense nightlife, which captivates you at first sight.
You must taste local appetizers such as fennel-fritters, sun-dried tomatoes, local sausages and pork jelly made in the pot, but be careful with the local delicatessen products (louzes, siglina and tsigarides) because you may end up forgetting anything else. As for food, you must taste the broad beans offered at festivals, chick-peas and local cheeses. The local wine is unique and rich in fruity aromas but it is very strong and you should be careful when consuming it in quantities. The consumption of the scented «souma» drink must be much more moderate.
Sightseeing: Serifos Folklore Museum, Chora, The castle- monastery of Taksiarches, Koutalas, Mega Livadi
Serifos, a rock made of iron rooted in the middle of the sea, was known for its ore deposits from the ancient times. It was inhabited by the Boeotians, 3000 years ago, having Diktis and Polydektis as kings, and flourished so much that it had had, since the 6th century B.C. its own currency.
Odysseus has also visited this island when returning to Ithaca, according to the legend, but he did not have a good time in the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus, who sent him off by targeting his ship with a rock outside the Koutalas cove. Today, there are still remnants of Cyclopean walls overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Following the Hellenistic period, Serifos is left in the margin, forgotten by everyone, even by the Turks (who only collected taxes from the island, without inhabiting it), except for the pirates who visited it regularly.
In the second half of the 19th century, Greece is possessed by a delirium for excavations and Serifos comes again into the foreground with the intensive exploitation of its bowels by the Gromans family that has left behind it a series of dramatic images: drifts ? wounds on the body of the hard rock carved with pickaxes and sweat, rough stairs made of stone leading down to the blue sea and, on them, impudent, robust iron constructions ? mirrors of their time; the Command Post at Mega Livadi, one of the most beautiful samples of neoclassical architecture and an ark of technology in the Aegean Sea is the ornament of the island.www.serifos.gr - SIFNOS-KAMARES
At Sifnos, one still can find routes lined with stones, forests with cedar-trees and oak-trees, lentisk and olives groves, sand hills and sea plants (like little lilies) which are threatened with extinction from the Mediterranean coasts. Today we are invited to pass into a future which is much friendlier towards civilizations and the environments which were both created and respected by previous generations.
Sifnos is the birthplace of perhaps the best known chef and food writer, Tselementes, and of Markou, another highly esteemed of Greece, has a delicious local cuisine. Make sure you try some of the local specialties!
Sifnos is the rampart of development and propagation of pottery in the area of the Cyclades. Equally worth mentioning is the Sifnians contribution to the sciences and the Greek literary tradition. As someone wrote, "if, in ancient times, Sifnos's wealth was measured by the gold and silver it produced, in the last two centuries it can be measured by its cultural output." indeed, the island can boast a large number of Sifnians who contributed to the social development and reconstruction of the modern Greek state: politicians, teachers, religious leaders, journalists, lawyers and economists. And we shouldn't neglect to mention the local literary tradition that has become an integral part of the literary tradition in Greece, and which still remains vibrant today.
At the summer months the centre of nightlife is Apollonia, but there are picturesquely little café and bars almost in all villages.
n Sifnos the visitor shall find many locations which are worth visiting:
Sifnos paved narrow streetWandering around in the paved narrow streets of Apollonia, you will have the chance to admire its beautiful architecture. The simple decoration offers a total of unique aesthetic value. One first walk on the central pedestrianized street will help you discover how many churches there are which are totally connected and perfectly integrated into the residentialSifnos' folklore museum complex. It is worth visiting the Folklore museum of Sifnos as well as the churches of Panagia "Geraniofora" (which bears the sky), the old school of Agios Artemios (1832-1988), panagia Mparou, churches with frescos and artistic icon screens such as Agios Athanassios, Agios Sostis, the Metamorphosis of Sotiras, Timios Stavros, Agios Sozon etc.
Windmill in Sifnos. As regards your afternoon, we propose that you visit the noble Artemonas. The walk around the paved narrow streets of the village is a unique experience, as the visitor can see some of the most beautiful mansions of the island, in the railed in verdant gardens. The promenade in all the neighborhoods keeps continuous surprises and the image of this marvelous residential complex when it is bathed in the faint light of the afternoon shall certainly touch your soul. The village, with the particular residential development, attracts the visitors in a magic way. The visitor besides from the classic mansions, must also visit the house where the poet Ioannis Gryparis was born and the churches Panagia Kochi with its interesting architecture, Panagia of Ammos, where one can see the icon Panagia the Monachi, a rare representation Church in Artemonas Sifnosof the Virgin Mary without the Holy Infant, and the beautiful church Panagia of Balis and Agios Spyridonas and Agios Loukas or Ai Loukas in the local dialect, at the entrance of Artemonas, the interesting churches of Ag. Giorgis Afentis with the famous icons which date from 1645, works of important hagiographers as for instance Zacharias Tzagaropoulos and Konstantinos Palaiokapas and of Panagia of Ammos. Also you must visit the church of Agios Konstantinos with its unique architecture and the bust of Nikolaos Chrissogelos at the homonymous square.
Kastro village. An afternoon walk in Kastro is also very pleasant with its particular architecture, which still maintains the characteristics of the Venetian fortress which has been built in 1635. Wandering around the narrow back streets of Kastro offers moments of unique pleasure! One could say that in this place time has stopped, while the atmosphere captures the visitor traArchaeological museumnsmitting the glamour of the old times. The narrow paved streets with the low stone benches, the dark arcades, the old houses with the wooden balconies, the blazons at the entrances, the ancient pillars that were later used as architectural parts, the marble Roman urns that one meets spread all over the village with the relief jewels, the embrasures and the narrow courtyards of the houses, the picturesque little church of the "Eftamartyros", which seems to have climbed on a rock rising of the sea, compose a unique experience that everyone must have! Do not forget during your walk in Kastro to visit the Archaeological Museum of Sifnos where you can admire marvelous collections of Archaic and Hellenistic sculptures.www.sifnos.gr
www.e-sifnos.com - HYDRA
Hydra, a cosmopolitan, glorious and magnificent island, combined with tranquility and relaxation, offers entertainment all day long and intensive night life.
The town which is the centre of the whole island is built amphitheatrically around the port which is filled with all the types of yachts like: sailing yachts, cruisers, caiques and traditional fishing-boats.
Hydra Town looks glamorous like an art-paint, with grey, white and blue colours above the blue of the sea. Right and left from the entrance of the port, there are the Parapets with the Canons, which protected the town.
Hydra offers to its quests the opportunity, inside from a variety of local customs and ctivities,
to entertain themselves and get in touch with the navy tradition.A big festival, called Miaoulia, takes place in Hydra the weekend closest to the 21st June, to honour Admiral Miaoulis, a most important man of the Greek Revolution in 1821.
A rare bonus in modern Greece is the absence, even from the town, of scooters and rapid motorbikes. The island has no motorized transport, except for sanitation and construction vehicles. Donkeys and Mules are the only means of transport.
On the Island you will enjoy romantic walks in the narrows, picturesque, paved alleys.
Generally, Hydra is famous for the calm life that offers to the visitors in the day,
but also for the intense, cosmopolitan night life. Hydra's waterfront fires up at night when daytime cafes become hot music bars.
Hydra has also dozen of classic Greek tavernas and restaurants.
Hydra, with its continuous offering to tourism and to the culture of our country,
remains the adornment of the Saronic Gulf and one of the most important resorts that Greece has to offer.
Hydra has got a lot of beaches with rocks or sand and pebbles.
You have got access to them on foot, with donkeys or sea transportation means. Common characteristic of these beaches are the crystal clear blue waters.
Close to the harbour is a beautiful rocky area with deep blue water, called "Spilia".
It attracts many tourists every year and it is an ideal place to enjoy the panoramic harbor view.It is also a place where you can have snacks and drinks, day and night.
Near Spilia is another beautiful beach for swimming in blue waters and nice music from the bar 20 hours a day, called "Hydronetta".
"Kamini",a small, natural, picturesque harbour full of fishing boats. Next to it, it is "Mikro (small) Kamini", a beautiful, small, pebbled beach, ideal for water sports and small children. In Kamini there are tavernas with local food and hospitality.
"Vliho", which it has a beautiful beach with cleanwaters and white houses up to the rocks. Bisti is the southeast cove of the island and it is surrounded from tall rocks.
It is an organized beach and the visitor can dive into the crystal-clear waters.
From the south-west of the island we reach the cove of Saint Nikolaos. There, one can find an organised pebble beach with clear and clean waters, ideal for underwater fishing.www.hydra.com.gr - KEA-VOURKARION
Kea, resembling a water drop, stands lofty in front of the large sea current Cavo Doro and is considered the natural bridge of communication of the mainland of Greece with the Cyclades, delimiting at the same time the Archipelago from the Southern Eubean gulf.
With a perimeter of roughly 85 kilometres and a total surface of 131 square kilometres, Kea is one of the biggest Cycladic islands. Furthermore, Kea is the most western cycladic island and the nearest to Attica. Its harbour abstains only 40 miles from Piraeus and 16 miles from Lavrion.
The island is mountainous with medium altitude. The coasts shape small bights and capes as well as sea caverns that are half or wholly under the surface of the sea. The big gulf of Saint Nikolaos, one from the biggest natural harbours of the Mediterranean, is situated at the north-west while a little more to the east the gulf of Otzia that is open to the north is found. In the south-west, where mountains reach more smoothly to the sea, is located the gulf Koundouros.
The bights of Poles and Spathi in the east and Pisses in the west are smaller.
Vourkari is situated roughly 2 kilometres away from Korissia. It is a beautiful fishing village that, despite its tourist growth, maintains its traditional essence. During the summer months it receives in its picturesque and secure small port tens of sailers and pleasure boats and that?s when its thalassic charm strikes out in all its majesty.
On the pier, the restaurants serve fresh fish as well as the infamous ?astakomakaronada? of Kea (pasta mixed with lobster).
The night life of the island is gathered here, with bars, coffee shops and ouzo taverns. In-between the shops the very well-known gallery of art of Kea is located, ?Vourkariani?. Here you can find works of many famous Greek artists such as Tsarouhis, Fassianos, Mytaras, Stathopoulos, Steanou, Parmakielis and others.
Right across, the peninsula of Aghia Irini is calling us to discover its ancient history that begins at the age of copper until the end of Mycenaean years.
It is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean Sea, a blooming city that was the centre of transit trade. From the middle of the copper age (roughly in 1700 BC.), the settlement has been surrounded with fortress walls. The temple of Aghia Irini was built during this period, one of the most important buildings of the settlement. At the meta-Cycladic I and P periods (around 1600-1450 BC), an extensive construction program is put into action. Most of the buildings that can be seen today were constructed during that period.
An excellent network of stone-paved streets connected the neighbourhoods of the city.
The excavations brought to light marble figurines, large jars, clay ovens with decorations that are known today as ?sauce boats?, as well as the "Depous amfikypellon" from the early time of the copper age, which is a narrow and tall vessel with two handholds.
The "Kores" (girls), from the later years of the copper age, are among the most impressive discoveries.
They are statues made of clay, that keep their hands in the middle and wear long clothing.
All the discoveries of Aghia Irini are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Ioulida.www.kea.gr - AIGINA-AGIA MARINA
Aegina was named after the daughter of the river God, Asopus. Aegina Town lies on the island?s west coast and is the capital and main port of the island.
The harbour front road is a speedway; it is lined with traditional caiques and lots of yachts in summer. Also, there are many cafes and restaurants ideal for relaxing on the waterfront and in the maze of the streets behind.
When you enter the harbour, the small, white church of Saint Nikolas welcomes you.
Your first impression is the modern type classical buildings, which are located along the sea front of the island.
Take a ride on the horses and the carriages, walk in the narrow, paved streets and see the traditional houses, the churches with the blue domes and the shops with folk art.
Don't miss seeing the fish-market, the traditional restaurants that serve snacks with ouzo (a Greek drink), also, the fishing boats, which are not only used for fishing but for selling groceries as well.
And finally don't forget to buy the famous peanuts of Aegina.
Near the port, on the left is an archaeological place called «Kolones» known for its one and only pillars (kolona in Greek), the only remaining thing from the temple of Apollo Delfiniou. The hill of Kolones was the Acropolis and the religious centre of the ancient city. Today on the hill of Kolona, there is the archaeological museum of Aegina, which many findings from the excavations are displayed there
The impressive Temple of Aphaia, a local deity of Pre- Hellenic times, is the major ancient site of the Saronic Gulf islands. It was built in 480BC, when Aegina was at its political height. Aphaia is 10 km east to Aegina Town. Buses to Agia Marina stop at the site or you can sail to Agia Marina and moor there.
The temple of Aphaia is built in the northern part of the island in a place covered with pine trees and with a view of the beautiful blue sea.It's in a very good condition. Twenty-four pillars of the temple remain, out of a total of 34.
It has been built in 480 b.c. just after the naval battle in Salamina.
Pafsanias gives us more information about Aphaia from some traditions in Crete.According to those, Vritomartis was born from Zeus and Karmi and because she liked hunting very much, Goddess Artemis was fond of her.
Minoas fell in love with Virtomartis and in order to get away from him, she fell into the sea where she got tangled up in some fishermen's nets and they took her with them on their ship.
But on the ship, a sailor fell in love with Vritomartis so she was forced to fall into the sea again in order to get away from him and she managed to swim to the island.
The girl headed towards the forest of the island and the sailors watched her from the ship as she was vanishing with some kind of holy intervention and that's why they named her Aphaia from the word ?afandos? which in Greek means that someone has vanished into thin air.
When the atmosphere is clear, you can see Poseidon's temple in Sounio and the Acropolis of Athens.
It is said that the 3 temples form a triangle (the holy triangle of ancient times).www.aegina.com.gr
www.aeginagreece.com
- MARINA ALIMOS
Alimos Marina is one of the largest marinas in Greece with a 1000 permanent positions. The Marina is located South West of Athens 15 Km from the city center, 8 Km South of Piraeus port and 30 km from El. Venizelos International Airport. It is served by a dense transportation network of Trams, Buses and Taxis, with stations 500 meters from the Marina.
For most part of the year the winds in the area have Northern direction with seasonally varied strength ranging normally up to 6 Beaufort maximum.
Alimos Marina is located South West of Athens 15 Km from the city center, 8 Km South of Piraeus port and 30 km from El. Venizelos International Airport. It is served by a dense transportation network of Trams, Buses and Taxis, with stations 500 meters from the Marina
The marina has around 1000 places for servicing cruise boats and yachts up to 40 meters long. The maximum depth of the Marina is 6.5 meters.
The services available in the Marina include:
* Entrance Lights for safe navigation
* Electricity supply
* Water supply
* Refueling services
* Able Car Parking in several places around the Marina
* 2 Restaurants-Bars
* VHF Communication (Channel 71)
* First Aid provisions
* Security and PIR automatic lights around the Marina.
Services available in the vicinity of the Marina include:
* Banks
* Restaurants and Bars
* Rent a car
* Pharmacy, hairdressing, laundry, etc
The Marina is located close to Athens city center offering all the conveniences of the city. Howeve, 700 meters from the Marina there is also a large local market for shopping.www.alimos-marina.gr
IONIAN CHARTER MANAGING DIRECTOR: Mrs. Eleni Vrioni, ADDRESS: Thiras Str 28, GR-16561 Glyfada - Athens, Greece, TEL: (+30) 210 9617834 - (+30) 210 9646058 - (+30) 210 9618063
FAX: (+30) 210 9648167, MOB: (+30) 6932 262164, (+30) 6932 207064, E-MAIL: info@ionian-charter.com We accept Mastercard & Visa
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