ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
ATHENS, ANCIENT CITY & THEATER OF  EPIDAUROS , CORINTH AND THE CORINTH  CANAL , DELFI ANCIENT CENTER OF  MYSTICAL BELEIFS, OLYMPIA, HOME OF  THE FIRST OLYMPICS, ITHACA MYTHIC  HOME OF ODYSSEUS, CEPHALONIA,  RECENT SETTING OF MOVIE CORELI'S  MADOLIN, SCORPIO, ONASIS' PRIVATE  ISLAND, LEFKAS, PAXOI, AND CORFU AND  MORE.
 NO OTHER ITINERARY OFFERS SO MUCH  INTEREST AND ADVENTURE.

PRICE: $3,150 pp in double cabin & hotel room
Includes the following:
* Airfare New York-Athens-New York & Flights between Athens & Corfu.
* All Transfers in Athens and Corfu
* Welcoming cocktail reception and dinner
* Accommodations in a Class A hotels in Athens and Corfu. Including breakfast.
* Lead boat with skipper, Archaeological Guide.
* The yachts are 55 & 61 ft (4 double cabins, each with ensuite facilities, and private skipper's cabin)
* Skipper included on each boat (bareboat requests for a full yacht charter can be accommodated).
* Starter Pack Provisions for the first day's lunch and following morning's breakfast.
* Barbecue prepared by our Albatross hosts and skippers on one of the islands we visit.
* Half day coach tour of ancient sites in each Corfu and Athens.
* Farewell dinner in Athens
* Running expenses of the yachts including all port fees, yacht insurance, and taxes Fuel and water.
* Canal Fees

ITINERARIES …….. Daily Schedule
   FIRST PASSAGE…… September 2 to 15, 2002     Passage …….Athens to Corfu"

Sept 2, Monday, Day 1. Depart NY's JFK airport on Olympic Airways non-stop flight to Athens.

Sept 3, Tuesday, Day 2. Arrive in Athens' New Spata Airport for a transfer to our hotel in the city's center. The afternoon is free to relax, shop, walk around and visit the sites of the ancient and vibrant city. In the evening we meet our crew, get boat assignments then enjoy a welcoming dinner in Plaka.

Sept 4, Wednesday, Day 3. After breakfast we will board a tour bus to visit the sites of Athens, including the Acropolis, then we'll be taken to meet our boats and begin our adventure. After boarding and stowing our bags, we sail to Epidauros for a relaxed evening of fun and entertainment at the local tavernas.

Sept 5, Thursday, Day 4. We offer an optional tour to visit the ancient theater of Epidauros, known for its famous 14,000 seat classical Greek theater built in 5th century BC. Those wishing to lay back at the beach, no problem. After the tour, we're off for the town of Corinth, crossing the Canal, 3.2 miles long, 81 ft wide and limestone walls that rise 250 above sea level. You will be inspired by the magnitude of the labor needed to create this marvel.

Sept 6, Friday, Day 5. Farewell to Corinth, our destination is the colorful and lovely port of Galaxidi. En route, we'll enjoy a relaxing sail and taking our time out to stop for a swim and light lunch. Galaxidi offers lovely beaches and friendly shops and is conveniently located at the foot of Delfi where we visit Sept 7.

Sept 7, Saturday, Day 6. Tour to Delfi, the ancients' center of the universe, & one of the most beautiful, classical sites in Greece . It is Delfi where leaders sent their emissaries or made personal visits to discover the secrets of the future as revealed by the Oracles at Delfi. Alexander the Great started his conquest of the East after he was told that his campaign would be successful. After the tour, we set sail to anchor at the of small port of Aiyion.
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Sept 8, Sunday, Day 7. This morning we offer the option of visiting Olympia, the scene of the world's first Olympic Games and the source of the Olympic flame, or staying on the yachts and sailing from Aiyion to Patras. The tour of Olympia should not be missed especially since it will be one of the sites for some of the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece. Olympia tour ending in Patras, the yachts will sail off to the island of Ithaca.

Sept 9, Monday, Day 8. After a leisure morning to explore Itahca, our next destination is the island of Cephalonia, passing the port of Sami ( setting of the recent movie Corelis Mandolin) then anchoring in the beautiful port of Fiscardo. Cephalonia, an island that was part of Odysseus' Kingdom, offers spectacular vistas. For those wishing to explore this beautiful island, there is a bus to the main town of Argostoli..

Sept 10, Tuesday, Day 9. Leaving the friendly people of Cephlonia, we head for Meganisi, sailing past Atokos and Kalmnos. Known since ancient times as a pirates haunt with breathtaking views, Meganisi's villages will intrigue you with its quaint & friendly and streets too small for cars.

Sept 11, Wednesday, Day 10. We're off to Lefkas, an island with steep cliffs and high mountains. We'll pass Aristotle Onasis' private island of Skorpios to swim at Jacqelin Onasis' beach. To reach Lefkas, an island just of the mainland coast, we pass through a narrow canal cut through salt marsh.

Sept 12, Thursday, Day 11. Nearing our final destination, we sail to Paxos, a picturesque serene island. A verdant sanctuary with small clear water coves with wonderful beaches and tiny villages and Venetian relics.

Sept 13, Friday, Day 12. Our final destination, Corfu, its splendid history dating back to 1200 BC, now a splendid verdant island with a rich history and present vibrant community. Our last night on our boats.

Sept 14, Saturday, Day 13. We leave our boats for a coach tour of Corfu, then transfer to our hotel where we get back to hot showers and plenty of water. A farewell dinner is planned this evening & stories to share

Sept 15, Wednesday, Day 14. After breakfast, transfers to the airport to fly to Athens then home to the USA.

SECOND PASSAGE.. September 13 to 26, 2002     Passage … Corfu to Athens

Sept 13, Friday, Day 1. Depart NY's JFK Airport, on Olympic Airways non-stop flight to Athens.

Sept 14, Saturday, Day 2. Arrive in Athens and take connecting flight to Corfu, transfer to our hotel. In the evening we meet for our orientation and boat assignments, meet our staff, then enjoy our welcoming dinner.

Sept 15, Sunday, Day 3. After breakfast we will board a bus to visit the sites of Corfu, then board our boats to begin our adventure. We sail to the island of Paxos, a picturesque, serene, verdant sanctuary with small clear water coves, wonderful beaches and tiny villages with Venetian relics.

Sept 16, Monday, Day 4. Leave Paxos for the island of Lefkas, an island, separated from the mainland only by a canal dug by the Corinthians in 7th century BC.Its steep cliffs and high mountains are breathtaking.

Sept 17, Tuesday, Day 5. Sailing south through the canal to the island of Meganisi which since ancient times was known as a pirates haunt. Its villages are quaint & friendly and streets too small for cars.

Sept 18, Wednesday, Day 6. Our heading is for Cephalonia which was a part of the kingdom of Odysseus and recently the set for the movie, Corelli's Madolin. We will plan to take a bus to visit the main town of Argostoli.

Sept 19, Thursday, Day 7. Today we sail to the island of Ithaka, birthplace of Odysseus and where his wife Penelope waited for his return. Its enchanting coves and medieval monasteries are waiting to be explored.

Sept 20, Friday, Day 8. Set sail from Ithaka to Patras at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth, a key port in present & ancient times. A castle from 1220 Venetian period is now being restored.. Our approach to the gulf is flanked by two high mountain ranges rising to 2,400ft, Mt Killini, south & Mt Parnassos, north.

Sept 21, Saturay, Day 9. This day we offer the option of visiting Olympia, the scene of the world's first Olympic Games and the source of the Olympic flame, or staying on the yachts and sailing from Patras to Aiyion. The tour of Olympia should not be missed especially since it will be one of the sites for some of the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece. The group is rejoined in Aiyion to sail to Galaxidi at the foot of Delfi.

Sept 22, Sunday, Day 10. We plan a visit to Delfi, one of the most beautiful classical sites in Greece and, according to the ancients, the center of the world. It is to Delfi where leaders sent their emissaries, or made personal visits to discover the secrets of the future as revealed by the Oracles of Delfi. Alexander the Great started his conquest of the East after he was told that his campaign would be successful. After the tour, we sail to Corinth.

Sept 23, Monday, Day 11. A leisurely departure from Corinth is planned, crossing the Corinth Canal; 3.2 miles long, 81 ft wide and limestone walls that rise 250 above sea level. We arrive at the classical city and theater of Epidauros, know for its famous 14,000 seat classical Greek theater where the Greek Tragedies and comedies played to a full house. For those wishing to visit Epidauros Theater, our guide will lead a tour.

Sept 24, Tuesday, Day 12. Leaving Epidauros, a short sail to Athens brings our sailing adventure to an end. At the Athens Marina Alimos we will spend the evening , recounting our passage from Corfu to Athens at the beachfront Tavernas near the Marina.

Sept 25, Wednesday, Day 13. Saying goodbye to our boats and skippers, we board our bus which will take us on tour of Athens and the Acropolis, then to our hotel. In the evening. a farewell dinner is planned

Sept 26, Thursday, Day 14. Our Ionian Sea passage at an end we reflect on the images of the islands and their people, the ancient sites and culture we discovered, and the native beauty of Greece. We are take these memories with us as we are transferred to the Athens airport for the return flight home.

ALBATROSS' SPECIAL IONIAN FLOTILLA

GULF OF CORINTH PASSAGES …              LINKING ATHENS & CORFU

SAIL THROUGH THE CORINTH CANAL                        TO THE IONIAN SEA

FIRST TRIP……... SEPTEMBER 2 TO 15, 2002 " ATHENS TO CORFU "

SECOND TRIP…. SEPTEMBER 13 TO 26, 2002 "CORFU TO ATHENS "
--- Pick the dates that suit you best ---
PRICE: $3,150 pp sharing double cabin & hotel room.
 Includes: Airfare, Hotels, Archeological Guide, Transfers, & more
Yachts are 55 ft & 60 ft, and each includes a local  licensed skipper;
Sail when you want the challenge, kick back when  you want to relax.

Greece's Ionian Sea is an ideal sailing destination. It offers the perfect combination of sparkling seas and warm sun, magnificent islands and mainland coastline, and numerous ancient and medieval monuments. Add to this a passage through the Gulf of Corinth, visits to Delfi, the ancient theater of Epidauros, the Acropolis, and much, much more, and you have the makings of the passage of a lifetime. As we sail the blue green waters of the Ionian, you will marvel at the stark beauty of the quaint, yet elegant ports we will visit. These shores have hosted historical figures as Odysseus, Cleopatra, Roman Cesears, Venetian Merchants, Ottomans, and so many others. The history of Greece is inextricably tied to the sea and her islands and their geographical features, We plan on sailing an average of about 3 to 4 hours a day -and a few 5 hour days- so as to leave plenty of time for relaxing, swimming, and exploration of the destinations we visit. We will also sail through the Corinth Canal whose construction was started by Nero in 67 AD and finally completed in 1892

This flotilla, like our 1997 Cruising World Flotilla which sailed from Corfu to Zakinthos, goes beyond the Ionian Islands as we explore the coastal towns along the Gulf of Corinth & Athens.

Our passage will visit the Ionian Islands of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Meganisi, Cepahlonia, Ithaka, and the mainland port towns, along the Gulf of Corinth of Patras, Nafpaktos, Itea, Kiato, Epidauros, & the Island of Aegina. Each day is planned with a stop for swimming to enjoy the serene coves with crystal clear waters, then sailing on to our day's destination. Accompanying our flotilla will be a archeological guide who will lead us on guided tours (both walking and with tour buses) to visit the ancient and modern villages and sites. At the end of each day you will enjoy the meals served at spirited Tavernas located at waters' edge and serving delicious Greek cuisine and Ouzeries & shops where you'll experience the laid back lifestyle of local Greek life and music. Each of our island or village visits, promise to be rich in discovery & excitement.

Each of the Ionian islands is unique, culturally and architecturally shaped by its history. Their people also share things in common; their cheerfulness, their songs, their zest for life and especially their warm-hearted hospitality and simple lifestyle. They are quick to laugh or cry or engage in passionate discourse over matters of great and not so great importance, and always with a ready invitation.

Corfu is the island where Odysseus was beached after his raft broke apart on his voyage from the island of Calypso. Homer wrote that Odysseus was washed ashore at the foot of steep cliffs and escaped with his life by swimming into a river. Today that site is identified as Ermones, just four miles down the coast.
The island is a very green island and a mixture of the civilizations that have passed through this island at various times. The town of Corfu is impressive and charms the visitor with its two forts, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, Venetian-built Town Hall, church to Saint Spyridon the island's patron saint, flower-filled gardens, and balconies with their superb wrought-iron fences decorate this lovely cosmopolitan city. Corfu is a small paradise on earth. From Paleokastritsa to Kanoni, from the Achillion to Pontikonissi and the northern coast, one will find crystal clear water, scenic coves, greenery and vegetation that slopes into the deep blue sea. On this cosmopolitan island it is easy to combine relaxation with intense night life.

Paxos is an incredible microcosm. A verdant sanctuary for peace and quiet. A 'large-small' garden in bloom, with impressive white boulders and beautiful beaches with clear water small coves and sea caves. Gaios, is the picturesque village with pretty houses and narrow streets. The old windmill, the Venetian fort, and the Ipapanti sea cave are the sights to see on the island. Paxos, At Paxos caves can be explored which are so large that one can actually sail into them with a 60 foot sailboat. Historically, the island of Paxos is known for two things: In Homer's Odyssey, as it is where the evil Circe turned Odysseus' crew into pigs. After Odysseus befriended Circe, she returned his crew to normal and gave him advice for his journey home; Paxos is also known as the island of the God Pan, the only god in mythology who died.

Lefkas is an island only because it is separated from the mainland by a canal originally dug by the Corinthians in the 7th century BC, then improved by the Romans under Augustus.
fine island tavernas. It was off the shores of Lefkas that Odysseus ordered his men to tie him to the mast so that he would not be bewitched by the song and beauty of the sirens and jump into the water. Now you will find cafes right along the shoreline where you can sip ouzo as you dangle your feet in the sea.

Meganisi's northern coast is dotted with sheltered bays and coves situated in beautiful surroundings. From ancient times this has been a pirates' haunt. There are breathtaking views looking out to Nidri, Mathouri, Skorpios, and across to the mountains of the mainland to the east. The village is a fascinating warren of alleys and lanes most of them too small to get a car through as the village was never designed for motorized transport. On the SW corner of the island, is the most famous cave, Papanicolis, very large and is thought to be a hiding place for a Grteek submarine during the second world war.

Cephalonia is the largest of the lonian islands. Green rocks plunge suddenly into the deep blue waters. Picturesque villages and small beautiful towns highlighted by old mansions and "humble" farmhouses; a little further over, the ruins of some ancient city. Cephalonia has been justly called the island of contrasts: Roman,Venetian, and Byzantine ruins, side by side and with its many famous beaches. The capital Argostoli is where the sea pours into spectacular swallow-holes and disappears endlessly into subterranean tunnels forming a rare geological phenomenon. The water reappears at lake Melissani, an incredible semi-underground lake of clear turquoise and indigo water. Nearby is the Drogarati cave, a large stalagmitic cavern of rare beauty. To the north is the small village of Fiskardo, and its pretty harbour, that has escaped the 1953 earthquakes which destroyed over 90% of the buildings on the island, and retains the old style buildings. In ancient times, Cephalonia formed part of the kingdom of Odysseus, and it is here where archeologists have found evidence of the ancient sites mentioned by Homer.

Ithaca, a small a mountainous island of verdant slopes and steep cliffs, is the birthplace and kingdom of Odysseus A small museum houses artifacts of Odysseus. Many landmarks described by Homer have been found on this island including several unearthed tripods and masks.. Its enchanting coves turn it into paradise on earth despite its small size and mountainous nature. The west side of the island is steep and bare in contrast with the east which is verdant and slopes gently down to the sea. The visitor can go on excursions to the intensely lonian, traditional seaside villages, and visit the medieval monastery of Taxiarhon and the wonderful caves of the island that are just begging to be explored. Green Ithaki is a much loved place, with scenic beaches, sleepy little villages, and an ideal spot for an unforgettable vacation.

Patras, Patra is the largest city in the Peloponese and the 3rd largest city in Greece. It has always been an important city as a center of commerce due in large part to its location at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. Still operating in the present as well as in ancient times, is the port of Patras. At its peak, Patras was a port of call of foreing vssels and merchants en route to or from the Orient.
Still located at the entrance to the port of Patras is a castle from 1220 Venetian period Castle Tornese, named by the Venetians, and destroyed by the Ottoman Pasha Ibrahim in 1825, it is now being restored.

Delfi Myth recounts that Zeus released two eagles; one form the East the other from the West, and at the point where they met, he threw the Sacred Stone, marking the center of the earth, the naval of the world, Delfi. At this point one of the most important Oracles of antiquity was developed and cultivated - the Delfic Oracle. The cave where divinity Gala ( mother earth) used to utter prophecies dates back to the second milleneum BC ( the Mycenean period) . It was located on the way from Corinth in the region called Pytho named after the infant Python who was killed by Apollo. As events developed, the god became known as Apollo Pythias and the area was known as Delfi.
Delfi played a major role in history as world leaders would send emissaries or go themselves to hear from the Pythia prophecies into the future. It was in 590 BC that the true history and fame of Delfi bagan In 191 BC the Romans became masters of Delfi and following periods of pillaging raids the decline of Delfi began.

Epidauros The classical city and theater of Epidauros, is know for its famous 14,000 seat classical Greek theater where the Greek Tragedies and comedies played to a full house.. Built in the 3rd century BC to plans drawn by the architect Polycleitos the Younger, the theater in world renown for its acoustics and beauty and its tradition of Greek drama performances. It was a sanctuary for Askielos, the god of medicine, now the temple of drama. An annual festival of performances is now held on weekends June through October . There are other showpiece buildings there , the Tholos, a 4th century circular building also designed by Polycleitos which is thought top have been used for mystic rites.