Greece Ionian Discovery
Sailing Route Guide
Discover useful pre-preparation information and important details of the Greece Ionian Discovery sailing route.
Sailing Holidays for 20 to 30 Somethings
Important Tips for Your Journey
Meeting Point
Your meeting point will be at Blue Cafe Pool Bar Restaurant at Gouvia Marina.
Our team will be waiting to meet you here on Saturday from 11 am. You can drop your bags off, meet the crew, and get ready for your trip. Arriving early will give you plenty of time to head to the local supermarket and pick up your favourite drinks and snacks.
You will board your yacht between 1pm and 3pm. We recommend arriving at the marina no later than 2pm.
We recommend downloading WhatsApp as your main point of contact with the crew before and during your trip! If you are running late or need to contact the team, please use this number: +32 492 680902
From your meeting point, you will head to your yacht for check-in, meet your Skipper, get settled, and complete the safety briefing onboard your yacht.
Your yacht will return to your check-in location between 1pm and 3pm on the following Friday. Final check-out will be at 5pm.
Getting There
Gouvia Marina is 10 km from Corfu International Airport (CFU) and only 15 minutes from Corfu town centre. Go to the main entrance of the marina, you will see the swimming pool in front of you.
Public transport is available on the island of Corfu, but timetables can be irregular so we recommend a taxi as the best way to get to your departure point. The local taxis are available at the rank outside the arrivals hall, and services are plentiful, reliable and comparably cheap.
Corfu International Airport (CFU)
40 minutes
- Taxi (1-4 People): €30
Corfu Old Town
15 minutes
- Taxi (1-4 People): €20
Before You Go
Budgeting Tips
Daily Budget
As a rule you will find that the prices in Greece are no different than other major European destinations such as France, Germany or Italy, so keep that in mind when you are budgeting for your sailing holiday.
To help you make the most of your sailing experience in this beautiful country, we recommend (as a guide) €50 to €60 per day to cover your evening meal and drinks, excluding any activities (see below for more info on pricing for activities).
Group Dinners
At least 2 of the evenings of your sailing holiday we will overnight in a secluded bay, where the moorings are owned by a local restaurant. It is customary on these nights for guests to eat at the restaurant, and according to local traditions, the Skipper will enjoy a complimentary meal.
These kinds of restaurants are very common along this coast and typically will have higher prices than Taverna’s in larger villages. They are an essential part of sailing in Greece, and we choose to visit these restaurants to allow guests access to stunning areas that larger boats and tours do not have access to. This provides support to communities that rely on tourism for their income and also gives us a chance to come together as a flotilla and get to know guests on other yachts.
Tipping
In the yachting industry, it is customary to tip your Skipper. If you feel that your Skipper has done an awesome job during your week onboard, please feel free to tip them at the end of the week, the industry standard is 5 – 10% of the trip cost. Similarly, it is customary to consider tipping up to 10% for a meal at restaurants throughout Greece.
Taxis & Transfers
Some ports where we dock are a short trip via water taxi or transfer from the main town. The reason we park here is because it is not practical to dock in the main town, or regulations do not allow it. The taxi cost is nominal (€10 per person, one way). Please note some services have a minimum capacity so make sure you group together to make this as cheap as possible.
Boat Life
WHAT TO EXPECT
Check out the stops, activities, and highlights on board the Greece Ionian Discovery Route.
Route Activities
All optional activities are organised and paid for during the week in the local currency.
Safety at Sea
Sustainable Sailing
At MedSailors, we are committed to continuous improvements in environmental, economic & social sustainability and want to ensure we all travel more responsibly on and off the water. Here are some ideas on how you can help us leave smiles not waste.
Reducing Pointless Plastics
One of the biggest environmental issues today is plastic and sadly the hardest hit is our beautiful ocean. We ask that you minimise your use of plastic whilst on holiday with us by packing a reusable tote bag to use when shopping and also saying no to pointless plastics during the trip.
We also ask that you pack a reusable water bottle for the trip!
Recycled Floatie Programme
To reduce plastic, we are recycling our past guest’s floaties! For a small donation, we have a limited selection of lilos, rings, unicorns, and even the odd pineapple available at check-in. All proceeds will go to a local charity, so you get a great deal, a super floaty and we are protecting our oceans!
Ocean Friendly Toiletries
If you can, please bring ocean-friendly products to use on board the yachts – this means eco-friendly sun creams, soaps, deodorants, and so on. With so much time spent in the water, we want to make sure we are keeping our ocean as pristine as possible and clean for our future guests (and generations)!
Local Payment
There is a local payment of €125 per person, this covers all your yacht’s running costs including the marina fees, local taxes, the yacht’s fuel, the damage deposit waiver, and the charter pack.
All local payments must be paid in Euro(€) currency.
You can make this payment in advance of your holiday or at check-in using the link below.
Please remember to keep your receipt to show to your Skipper and Host at check-in.
Local Weather and Temperature
The local weather and temperature in Greece can vary depending on the region and time of year. Greece is known for its Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters. The capital city, Athens, sees hot and dry summers, with temperatures averaging 29°C in August and sometimes cold and wet winters.
The weather can vary significantly across different regions of Greece, so you should check the local weather forecast for the specific area you plan to visit.
Santorini, a popular island, has a semi-arid climate with warm weather from May through September and cool winters, with temperatures averaging around 13°C.
Expect comfortable temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C through April, May, September, and October. During the peak of summer (June to September), coastal areas like the south coast can see temperatures climbing into the late-thirties.
Frequently Asked Questions
The official language of Greece is Greek, and approximately 99% of the population speaks it. Many Greeks also speak English, which is common in popular tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels.
Greek cuisine uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients, flavourful herbs and spices, and traditional cooking methods passed down through generations. It is founded on the triad of wheat, olive oil, and wine. It incorporates a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, grains, fish, meat (including pork, poultry, veal, beef, lamb, rabbit, and goat), pasta, cheeses, lemon juice, herbs, olives, olive oil, and yoghurt.
The best time of year to go sailing in Greece is generally between April and October, with the high season being June, July, and August. The weather is warm and sunny during these months, making it ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
Sailing the Greek islands is both relaxing and safe, provided you adhere to straightforward guidelines. Always check the weather forecast before embarking on your journey around the Greek Islands. This ensures you remain informed of any changes affecting your route or activities on the water. Additionally, having a qualified skipper on board enhances the experience of sailing the Greek islands. A skipper with local knowledge and sailing expertise can navigate unpredictable elements such as strong winds, storms, or rocky coastlines. We have selected exceptional and experienced individuals who will ensure your sailing adventure in the Greek islands is unforgettable.
To fully experience sailing in Greece, plan to spend at least a week exploring. Keep in mind that Greek sovereign land includes 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
The Greece Ionian Discovery route introduces guests to less-touristy destinations coloured with history on an all-in-one included sailing extravaganza! Experience a unique and memorable sailing trip focusing on community, culture, partying, and relaxation.
Experience the beauty of the Greek Islands in an affordable and accessible way; book a holiday onboard the Ionian Discovery today!
Get in touch
If you have any further questions about your trip, please email sales@medsailors.com or book in a call with one of our team. If you or anyone you are travelling with has any particular health needs or allergies let us know.
