Ace of Diamonds

We try to build the route around two main principles. The first is the profile of your group: how many hours you would like to sail each day, whether you are travelling with children, whether there are particular islands you definitely want to see, and what you generally enjoy doing - sightseeing, history, local life, swimming, snorkeling or simply spending time on the water. The second is the weather at the time of your arrival. These two things need to work together in order to create a trip that feels pleasant and relaxed rather than adventurous for the wrong reasons. Distance also comes into the equation. A successful week needs to strike a balance between many different things, not just sailing. You want time to enjoy the food, explore the islands, meet the locals, discover some history, read a book, paddleboard, snorkel, swim - or simply do absolutely nothing. All of this needs to find its place within the week. That also means having realistic expectations about how far you plan to go. We don't consider sailing endlessly just to reach another island part of the fun. Spending more hours at sea simply to tick destinations off a list can easily take away from everything else the trip has to offer. Last but not least, the yacht itself plays a role. A longer hull can generally achieve higher cruising speeds and cover distances more efficiently. Larger catamarans also place you higher above the waterline, offer more space and comfort, and can generally handle more demanding sea conditions with greater ease. So, beyond the accommodation and layout, the yacht you choose can also influence what makes sense for your itinerary. All in all, there are several things to consider when planning the week. Your group sets the priorities, your yacht helps define what is comfortable and realistic, and the weather always has the final say.

All our trips are fully customizable. There is no fixed itinerary. The final route is shaped together with you, based on your preferences (how many hours you wish to sail per day, whether you prefer sightseeing or relaxation, interest in hiking, swimming, local cuisine, etc.) and - most importantly - the weather conditions at the time of your trip. We do not pre-impose routes, nor do we force sailing long distances if conditions are unpleasant. The captain adjusts the plan daily to ensure the experience remains relaxed, safe, and enjoyable. You may also change plans during the trip and stay longer at places you enjoy.

In order to plan an accurate budget, you should consider the following costs in addition to the yacht price with crew. The figures below are based on averages we have seen from similar groups on previous charters and are intended as a realistic guide rather than fixed costs. Actual expenses will vary depending on your yacht, itinerary, preferences and the time of year you travel. * Fuel: Fuel consumption depends on the yacht, cruising distance, weather conditions and time of year. As a general guide, expect approximately 300-1000 liters, with a total cost in the region of €500-€1,900 for the week. You will receive the yacht with a full tank and refill it upon return. * End cleaning: €300, covering the preparation of the yacht, including cleaning, one set of bed linen, towels and tea towels, as well as the dinghy, outboard engine and gas bottles. * Port fees: Generally minimal, typically around €20-€50 per night, depending on the port or marina. * Crew provisioning: Approximately €25-€30 per crew member, per day for the crew's meals. * Guest provisioning: This depends entirely on your preferences and the food, beverages and alcohol you would like onboard. Your cook will organize the shopping according to your preferences so everything is ready for your arrival. All costs shown are for the entire group, not per person. Adding an additional guest after booking, provided the yacht's layout and permitted capacity allow it, does not change the weekly yacht price.

Meals are an important part of life onboard and are based around fresh, Greek and Mediterranean flavors, adapted to your group's preferences and dietary requirements. With our standard two-person crew setup (Captain and Cook/Host), the natural rhythm is breakfast followed by a substantial lunch or late lunch onboard, while evenings are a wonderful opportunity to step ashore and discover local restaurants and tavernas. One or two dinners onboard can also be arranged. On yachts operating with a three-person crew, the dining experience can be more extensive.

There really is no fixed schedule - and that is part of the experience. You may wake up in a quiet bay, have breakfast onboard and sail in the morning before stopping somewhere beautiful for swimming, paddleboarding or snorkeling. Lunch is often enjoyed onboard, followed by another short sail or time at anchor before arriving at an island later in the day. Evenings can be spent exploring ashore, having dinner in a local restaurant or simply enjoying the yacht. Some days involve more sailing, others almost none. The rhythm develops naturally around the weather, the route and what your group feels like doing.

Absolutely, but choosing the right itinerary is important. Catamarans provide generous space and a stable platform at anchor, although any yacht will move when sailing in open water. For families, younger children or guests who are particularly sensitive to motion, the Saronic Gulf is often an excellent choice because distances are shorter and the waters are generally more protected. Your captain can also adapt the route according to the conditions and your group. Children are welcome onboard and remain under their parents' supervision throughout the charter. Weather is always monitored closely, and itineraries are adapted to avoid unpleasant conditions. The objective is comfort and enjoyment, not endurance sailing.

Our charters operate on a Saturday-to-Saturday basis. On embarkation Saturday, yachts are typically ready from around 14:00 at our base in Alimos Marina, Athens. You are welcome to arrive at that time, board the yacht, and settle into your cabins. Your cook will have already arranged and purchased everything required for your meals, based on the preferences you have shared with us in advance. Everything will be onboard and ready for your arrival, so there is nothing else you need to organize. Once onboard: * The captain will welcome you and introduce the yacht. * A full safety briefing will take place. * You will discuss your preferences and possible routes based on the weather forecast. After these formalities, the trip begins immediately. Depending on your plans and weather conditions, you will usually sail for a few hours and enjoy your first swim or anchorage that very same day. On disembarkation, the yacht returns to the marina on Friday evening. You overnight onboard, and disembarkation takes place by 09:00 on Saturday morning. This timing allows the crew to properly clean, service and prepare the yacht for the next guests according to our standards.

Santorini is not realistically suited to a one-week charter from Athens. The distance requires more than long hours at sea and will quickly turn a sailing holiday into a trip focused simply on reaching one destination. This is not the nature of our trips. If Santorini is important to you, we strongly recommend spending two nights there before or after your charter. Flights from Athens take around 30-45 minutes and can often be found in the region of €80-€120, depending on dates and availability. And there is another reason we recommend experiencing Santorini this way: the real magic of Santorini is on the island, not around it. Its dramatic cliffs, villages, caldera views and sunsets are what make it exceptional. The surrounding waters are very deep, with steep and rocky coastlines, so it offers a very different experience from the bays, beaches and swimming stops that make a week by yacht so special. Our advice is simple: Santorini is absolutely worth visiting - but visit it by plane, and save your sailing week for the islands best experienced from the water. If you are chartering for two weeks, the picture changes completely. Santorini can then become part of a broader Cyclades itinerary without forcing the entire trip to revolve around getting there.

Some islands can be combined within a week; others cannot - at least not without sacrificing comfort. Mykonos and Paros are feasible from Athens within a week under favorable conditions. Santorini, Patmos, Anafi, and other southern or eastern islands are located over 180 nautical miles away and are not realistically reachable within a one-week sailing vacation without excessive daily sailing hours. For these distant islands, we strongly recommend visiting them by ferry or plane before or after your sailing trip. The true experience of a sailing vacation lies in balance, not in covering maximum miles.

Trips are weather-dependent, but this does not mean they are canceled. If strong winds or unfavorable conditions arise, the itinerary is adjusted to more protected areas. To date, we have not lost a single trip due to weather. Greece offers many alternative routes that remain beautiful and enjoyable even when conditions in one region are not ideal. Flexibility is essential and a key for a successful trip along with an elevated experience.