A short story of our sailing trips

After a nice winter and a pleasant spring at Agios Nicholaos Marina, on the North East coast of the magic island of Crete, we started the sailing season exploring the north coast of the island with stops in the most enchanting and picture-perfect locations of Crete as far as the magnificent Venetian city port of Chania, on the north west side of Crete. Before taking a long tack to Milos, taking advantage of very mild wind conditions, we spent a fabulous night in a remote and deserted bay a few miles from Chania where we could fully enjoy the rare and breathtaking moon eclipse. After some days between the stunning and multicoloured rock formations and cliffs of Milos, Kimolos and Poliagos we set sails northward to the super windy and pristine Serifos that boasts one of the most intact and beautiful “chora” of the whole Aegean Sea. From there, pushed by the ever present meltemi we enjoyed a thrilling night sail to the calm of Despotiko and for the rest of the month we sailed between some of the real jewels of the Aegean including, Paros, Anti Paros, Koufounissi, Schinoussa, Iraklia, Keros, Ios, Amorgos, Anafi from where we reached once again the legendary and beautiful butterfly-shaped Astiphalea, the first – or the last island depending where you come from– of the Dodecanese. After a few days spent exploring the most beautiful spots of this magic island from the land and from the sea, we departed to Kos, and from there we spent some days zigzagging between the well-known and beloved islands of Kalimnos, Giali and Tilos where we spent unforgettable days waiting for the right wind conditions to sail back to Agios Nicholaos. After some days with our friends from P’aca y P’alla, we sailed south to Karpathos with a pit-stop at the pristine tiny island of Saria. We then moored for a few days in the small fisherman port of Pigadia where we rented a car to explore the endless beauties of Karpathos since the meltemi was in full blow. In our terrestrial adventure we discovered magnificent white beaches, wonderful coves, spectacular rocky formation, fascinating old villages, tree-covered slopes and a lot of nice eateries and tavernas where we enjoyed the local food. When the meltemi finally calmed down we set sail to the neighbouring Kassos hoping this time – after the failed attempt of the previous year – to spend at least 1 day exploring the wild and enchanting south coast but even this year we had to give up due to strong wind. After a relatively calm night in a nice bay, we took the sea for the most challenging sail of the seasons since the stretch of sea between Kasos and Crete can be quite rough and challenging due to wind and sea conditions. And true to its notorious fame, the sail was quite exhilarating and thrilling with gale-force winds and a quite rough sea. But in the end we made it and we enjoyed a magnificent night in the world famous bay of Vai characterized by the largest palm forest in Europe. After some relaxing and lazy days spent swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing at Spinalonga, we reached our berth at Agios Nicholaos Marina, where My Song is spending a very nice winter.

L'articolo Album, summer 2018 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

A summary of our sailing cruises

After two weeks of well-deserved rest at the modern and efficient Kos Marina, we took to the sea for a long autumn cruise exploring less-known islands. The first stop was Giali, an extraordinary little isle south of Kos, characterized by the presence of a pumice quarry and blessed by crystal-clear water, amazing sand beaches and white pumice dunes offering the opportunity to tumble down into the sea. From there, taking advantage of a good tailwind, we set course for the enchanting tiny island of Saria, an uninhabited strip of blessed land just North of Karpathos. Thanks to perfect weather conditions we spent two relaxing days swimming and snorkeling in pristine waters with magnificent bottoms and spectacular rocky formations, and wondering around the island in total silence. From there, we sailed along the wild and apparently inhospitable coast of Karpathos, a beautiful island where the notorious meltemi can reach record speeds with extremely violent and sudden gusts. We stopped at the small and enchanting port of Diafani from where, with a short bus ride we reached the picture-perfect village of Olimbos, a real jewel waiting to be discovered. From there we continued south and after a lunch stop in the bay close to the airport, – a real paradise for wind and kite surfers – we sailed to the even wilder and peaceful Kassos, and spent the night in the picturesque port of Fry. Here, a swimming stop at Armathia, with its long and desert sandy beaches, spectacular granite formations and unique colors, is a must.
From Kassos, we crossed a stretch of sea that is rightly considered as one of the most challenging and tricky of the Aegean sea because of sea and wind conditions but having paid a close attention to the weather forecast we enjoyed a fast and exhilarating sail that led us to the north-east coast of Crete, and dropped anchor in the spectacular and Caribbean-like bay of Vai, famous all over the world for its spectacular palm grove. We continued our cruise sailing south, always borne by the ever-present meltemi and we visited some nice bays and villages, including the marvelous Koufounisi. Then, before the meltemi became too violent, and to allow our guests to take the plane from Heraklion, we sailed north and we reached the lively Marina of Agios Nicholaos where My Song is spending a nice winter.

L'articolo Autumn 2017 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

Summary of our sailing cruises

After wintering at the marina of Samos, a marvellous island of the Eastern Sporades lying very close to the Turkish coast, we started the summer season 2017 sailing around the magnificent and welcoming islands of the Northern Dodecanese that have become a home away from home, such as Agathonissi, Arkangelos, Lipsi, Arki, Marathi and Patmos, with long stops in pristine bays, exhilarating sails borne by a gentle meltemi, nice swims in crystal-clear waters and dinners in the picturesque family-run “tavernas”. Afterwards, we sailed south touching familiar islands where we enjoyed the company of dear friends who set course with us for Astiphalea, the amazing butterfly of the Aegean, dotted by spectacular coves and wild beaches, a real paradise waiting to be discovered. Astiphalea is so beautiful and welcoming that you could spend a whole vacation there considering the abundance of landings and beaches and the many islets dotting its water and offering a wide range of mooring opportunities. From there, a short sail westward took us to Anafi, the real and most pleasant surprise of this season. Anafi is the last or the first island of the Cyclades (depending on where you arrive from) and it boasts the largest rocky buttress in Europe after the Rock of Gibraltar. A small island far from mass tourism, Anafi is a favourite destination for young campers who set their tents in one of the 5 magnificent and long sandy beaches on the south coast. From the enchanting little port, a steep staircase or a winding road lead to the picture perfect “chora”, an amazing terrace overlooking the Aegean sea offering breathtaking views on Santorini (that is just 12 miles away). This jewel of Cycladic architecture offers all the comfort you need – restaurants, bars and shops – but it is not so chaotic or crowded as some of the most popular sister islands.
Our summer ended with a slow and pleasant navigation from Astiphalea to Kalymnos and Kos, where we left My Song for a couple of weeks to get ready for the next adventure.

L'articolo Summer 2017 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

After some rest days at Samos Marina, a short walk away from the enchanting city of Pythagorion, we left for a long autumn cruise that led us to the discovery of magnificent but still unknown islands and to a few stops on our favourite ones. Thanks to excellent weather conditions and very moderate wind, we managed to explore the small archipelago of Fourni, usually beaten by gusting winds, the magnificent and legendary Ikaria, where meltemi is the undisputed King, and then we went back to some of our all time favourites such as Agathonissi, Patmos, Arki and Lipsi. It has been an enchanting autumn and the best way to close the sailing season 2016. And now after some months and several miles, My Song is spending the winter in the Samos Marina, preparing for the next thrilling season.

L'articolo Autumn 2016 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

After wintering at Leros Evros Marina, (Dodecannese) My Song opened the sailing season with an exhilarating cruise around the islands of the Northern Dodecanese, visiting well-known islands that always offer wonderful surprises such as Arkangelos, Lipsi, Arki, Patmos and Agathonissi. The month of June rewarded us with a magnificent light highlighting the marvellous colours of the sky, the sea and the land and the “gentle” meltemi gave us the pleasure of fun but not too challenging sails. After a change of “residence” with a 15-day stop at Samos Marina, My Song set sails for its summer cruises touching all the islands of the Dodecannese including Leros, Kalymnos, Astiphalea, Sirna, Giali, Nisiros, Tilos, Symi, Chalki and Alimia discovering new bays and new shelters. At the end of the season, we sailed back to Samos where My Song rested for a couple of weeks.

L'articolo Summer 2016 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

After wintering in the shipyard of Kylada, in the Peloponnese, My Song sailed to Noussa, an enchanting little harbor town in the North of Paros, touching the islands of Kythnos, Syros, Delos and Mykonos. In the summer, My Song sailed around the Cyclades, with an exciting island-hopping among some of their most renowned jewels including Paros, Naxos, the Lesser Cyclades, Sifnos, Kythnos, Ios, Folegandros, Milos, Syros and Hydra just to name a few.

L'articolo Album, summer 2014 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

After wintering on the marvellous Island of Leros, My Song spent the months of June and July in the Dodecanese and set sails toward the Central Southern Cyclades in August for an exciting island-hopping among some of the most renowned jewels of the Aegean Sea such as Amorgos, the Lesser Cyclades, Ios, Milos, Paros, Kitnos and Hidra just to name a few.

L'articolo Album, summer 2013 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

Island hopping in the Dodecanese, with the addition of the enchanting Kastellorizo, marvellous spots along the Turkish Coast as well as other jewels of the Aegean sea, such as the snow-white Astiphalea and the enjoyable Giali.

L'articolo Album, summer 2012 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

Wonderful sailing trips hopping around the marvellous islands of the Dodecanese, a short visit to the Cyclades and winter rest at Leros.

L'articolo Album, summer 2011 sembra essere il primo su My Song.

From Rome to Samos, in the Dodecanese with stops at the Aeolian Islands, Milazzo, Lefkas and Ikaria.

L'articolo Album, spring 2011 sembra essere il primo su My Song.