Arriving at Kos is an experience to remember. Although you will depart on an amazing yacht and charter the seas around the islands, Kos is so magical that it will take your breath away from the very beginning of your voyage. Kos is an island as old as legend, and Hippocrates, the father of ancient Medicine and the Hippocratic oath made his college here. This was the age of Pericles and the Spartan 300, and legends were born on Kos. The old town harbor and plane tree where Hippocrates taught still stand. The castle of the Knights of Saint John is close by the harbor too. You will find an amazing marina, wonderful seaside life including restaurants, taverns and night bars offering entertainment around the clock.
Incidentally, you board your charter yacht mid-afternoon at Kos Harbour though you do not leave port that day, enjoying dinner and an overnight stay. The Dodecanese Island of Kos has become one of the most popular islands in the region, arguably second behind only Rhodes. Its rich history includes the impressive fortress, the Castle of the Knights of Saint John close to the Town harbor, the ancient plane tree under which Hippocrates taught students and the Asklepion (his ancient sanatorium). Old Corinthian columns still gather weeds by the roadside. The purpose- built marina is just a short distance south of the ferry port. Kos Town has numerous restaurants, tavernas, cafes and shops and ‘’night owls’’ will find things stay open until late.
Klymnos is a beautiful island and its main town, aptly named Klymnos town provides that amazing Aegean skyline of whitewashed walls, red roofs and clear blue skies. Add to this amazing vista the wonderful inhabitants and the many-colored shutters, and you have a photo shoot part excellence. The island is famous for its rock climbing and sponge diving activities.
Klymnos is known for its lovely architecture as well as the tradition of sponge diving. Rock climbing has emerged as a popular activity for tourists who travel to Kalymnos purely to enjoy their hobby. Kalymnos Town is the main settlement on the island and few would argue about its beauty; brightly coloured walls, doors, shutters and balconies make the streets are great place to wander around.
The large port town of Lakki on Leros islands beckons you with its white washed houses and neo-classical architecture. The streets are wide and lined with palm trees, and the local restaurant, cafes and tavernas provide you with a plethora of cuisine, including famous local delicacies and international dishes.
Lakki is a large port on the Island of Leros. There is plenty of neo-classical architecture alongside the white-washed houses. Wide streets are lined with palm trees and restaurants and bars near the port offer tempting menus. While in Lakki, it is worth visiting the interesting war museum.
From here, sail to Patmos and dock in the main port of Skala. Patmos’ breathtaking scenery and special atmosphere have made it an ideal getaway for those seeking inspiration or a quiet retreat. The island is built around the important Monastery of St. John and its medieval fortress, which is visible from nearly everywhere on the island, and stands to overlook Chora as a reminder of Patmos’ historical and spiritual significance. St. John is said to have penned the Book of Revelations and the Apocalypse here on Patmos. The monastery houses some spectacular frescoes and a museum well worth visiting. The smaller monastery of the Apocalypse halfway down the hill from Chora grew up around the grotto where the Evangelist is said to have heard the voice of God.Although Patmos is traditionally a place of spiritual pilgrimage, it is has diversified somewhat, and you’ll also find there great designer boutiques, Greek-style local cuisine, cafes with spectacular views, and what’s more after dinner the island certainly doesn’t just sleep and there is a lively buzz into the early hours.The International Film Festival of Patmos takes place this year from July 21– 27 and the Patmos Festival of Religious Music happen late August - early September.
Skala is the main town of Patmos island. Built around the harbor, it grew rapidly in the 19th Century with wealthy families deciding to make it their home. Two landmarks to look out for while you are there are the ancient acropolis and the Church of Agia Paraskevi.
Fourni is a beautiful island, part of the triad of islands that includes Thymena and Agios Minas. Fourni town is the islands main fishing port and is untouched in time, with its lovely small winding streets, old cars and amazing taverna. When visiting this group of islands, anchor here and take a day of travelling. Enjoy the local cuisine and stretch your legs before continuing onwards.
Fourni is the largest in a group of three inhabited islands and ten bare rocky ones. Fourni Town is worth exploring. Its livelihood is largely fishing and its narrow streets a joy. Cars Are rare but it is small enough to see on foot, as are the two other inhabited islands in the Group, Thymena and Agios Minas. The local specialities incidentally are thyme honey and cheese; buy them!
One of the lesser visited sites in the Dodecanese chain is Lipsi. This small island is next to the more popular Leros, but don’t overlook it. Lipsi has beautiful beaches and an even more inviting town, with wonderful taverna and shops to enjoy. If you want a quieter atmosphere, then this is the place to visit.
Lipsi in the Dodecanese has yet to get much tourism, and what there is often comes from nearby Leros. The result is a real feel of Greece. It is a relaxing place, fairly quiet and with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Lipsi has some tavernas and shops but it is not really a place for stocking up.
We sail to Levitha. Levitha Island is also a popular island on the Aegean Sea famous for its white houses, long beaches and peaceful atmosphere. The island of Levitha is a small island situated in the Dodecanese and belongs to the municipality of Leros. It is situated between the islands of Kos and Paros. It's total surface is 9.8 square kilometers but it has 34 kilometers of shoreline. A family lives there since 2009 and you can go and have a bite at the restaurant they run. There are plenty of protected coves where fishing boats and sailing yachts tend to find shelter from the mealtimes (Northern winds of summer).
Levitha island in the eastern section of the Dodecanese is uninhabited. The large inlet on the south of the Island is a good place to shelter from any strong winds so anchor there for a night away from everything. Obviously, you will need to have provisions on board if you do.
Astypalaia is both an island and the name of its town. Astypalaia is part of the Cyclades chain of islands. With a respondent Venetian castle overlooking the port, as well as the rest of the island, it is perhaps the most dominant feature you will find. You will find windmills and white washed walled houses atypical of this area, and exceptional local dishes offered in the port eaters.
The town and Astypalaia Island take the same name. The settlement stretches inland up the slopes from the port and the old Venetian Castle stands dominantly over the Island; it is certainly its major landmark. A member of the Cyclades Islands, the architecture is typical of the Group; white washed houses of course. Windmills take advantage of the breezes, located on the top of the hills.
Nestled in its own natural bay sits the old fishing village of Pali on Nysiros Island. This island is famous for its therapeutic baths, near by the town is a wonderful beach. Just south of the island is a secluded cove that offers you lovely sand dunes and amazing waters to swim. Take a short time off and enjoy the baths as well as the beaches before sailing away.
Pali is an old fishing village and built in an impressive natural bay. There is a nearby beach to enjoy. Therapeutic baths are a definite highlight of the town, a great way to relax and refresh yourself. It is worth exploring the Island especially because there is another lovely cove, Lies, south east of Pali where there are some impressive sand dunes.
Tilos Island offers you the lovely small ort of Livadia. Livadia is a town of around 300 residents that live of farming and tourism. What makes Tilos stand out is the number of churches, which is evidence to the importance of religion to its natives. The capital town of Megalo Chorio lies about seven kilometers from Livadia.
Livadia is a beautiful small port of just 300 inhabitants whose lives revolve around farming and tourism. Seven kilometers to the south east is Megalo Chorio, the capital of the Tilos. The number of churches on the Island is evidence of the importance of religion to Tilos.
Another quiet spot to visit from the madding crowd is Chalki. So many tourists overlook this lovely island, and the beaches are mostly empty, the town has a port with a small promenade, and some local eateries which provide excelled local cuisine.
Chalki is another place where peace and quiet is virtually guaranteed. The beaches are great and some will be entirely deserted. There is one small settlement, a port with cafes and tavernas on the promenade.
When you arrive back at your starting point, the wonderful Island of Rhodes, don’t leave on the first day back. Take a day to enjoy this wonderful island, and especially the amazing city with wall its beautiful and ancient architecture built and rebuilt over millennia. The amazing cuisine is implemented by amazing views, wonderful beaches, glorious night life and exceptional atmosphere, only found in a place that has a culture older than religion.
The guests will leave the yacht with precious memories of the tour by 10:30am after a hearty breakfast. If you haven't already been into the centre of Rhodes Town we would strongly recommend it. The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes is abundant in beaches, wooded valleys and ancient history. Whether you seek the buzz of nightlife and beaches, diving in crystal-clear water or a culture-vulture journey through past civilisations, it’s all here.
Our next destination is the charming bay of Nanou in Symi Island where the boat will anchor for lunch and a swimming break. We will anchor at Symi Port late in the afternoon. You can see the shoreline with its neo-classical houses and the peripheral districts. You are going to adore Symi Island for its pine and oak forests and unique bays.
Symi, off the Datca Peninsula of Turkey is another relaxing island. It is fairly small but offers plenty of chance to explore. The landscape is lovely and once back in Ano Symi there are bars and tavernas offering delicious Greek cuisine which you should try with the local wine.
Kos is one of the most prominent Dodecanese islands, most probably only second to Rhodes. This is where Hippocrates taught in the Asklepion, the ancient Greek college that was set under a Plane tree that still stands in its place. Kos is steeped in history, and there are many archeological treats to find here, including Corinthian columns that line the roads, the Castle of the Knights of Saint John, and the famous Kos harbor. With all this magnificent history, it is not surprising to see how modern tourism fits in perfectly, with an international marina, lost of shops, tavernas and leading restaurants that offer local cuisine as well as international dishes.
The Dodecanese Island of Kos has become one of the most popular islands in the region, arguably second behind only Rhodes. Its rich history includes the impressive fortress, the Castle of the Knights of Saint John close to the Town harbor, the ancient plane tree under which Hippocrates taught students and the Asklepion (his ancient sanatorium). Old Corinthian columns still gather weeds by the roadside. The purpose- built marina is just a short distance south of the ferry port. Kos Town has numerous restaurants, tavernas, cafes and shops and ‘’night owls’’ will find things stay open until late.
It’s a sad time to leave, and Kos makes it even harder, the beautiful ancient town with its legendary history make a perfect place to finish your wonderful voyage into the wonders of the Greek islands. If you didn’t get a chance to walk the streets and alleyways, we suggest you take some time before you dahs off home. Take a quiet stroll and visit the old plane tree where Hippocrates taught his students over 2,500 years ago. Then sit down to a wonderful local meal of fresh seafood and amazing wine in one of the wonderful and shaded taverna.
The guests will leave the yacht with precious memories of the tour by 10:00 am after a hearty breakfast. If you haven't already been into the centre of Kos Town we would strongly recommend it. The imposing Castle of the Knights of Saint John, on the eastern side of the harbour, is well worth a visit. Alternatively the centre of the town is home to a huge range of restaurants, tavernas, cafes and shops. Those of you looking for a big last evening will find a wide range of bars and nightclubs to choose from.
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