ONE-WEEK TRIP TO MONEMVASIA CASTLE

Day 1: Alimos - Aigina island, bay of Agia Marina (13 nautical miles - nm)

The trip starts from Athens main marina in Alimos, you may spend the first night in the bay of Agia Marina, in Aegina island. Other alternative marinas, such as Nea Peramos, Pachi in Megara or Zea marina in Piraeus, would follow the same route.

Distance is approximately 20 nautical miles (nm); the bay is safe with north – east wind, but exposed to south – southwest. Usually, I prefer the north side of the bay to anchor, keeping a safe distance of 50-70 meters from the small dock, as well as the rocky shore, where the hotels are. Anchoring is easy since there is plenty of space to anchor with depth up to 10 meters and the sea bed is mostly sandy, thus safe. However, always be cautious of the wind change, because of problematic protection to SSW winds.

Most of the times yachts berth in second and triple row, while the speed ferries may create turbulence inside the port. To keep on the safe side, we suggest the bay Mandraki, where the yacht may anchor few meters away from shore and use a line to keep steady and a dinghy to move to the land. As Mandraki has only a hotel and a little restaurant (taverna), you can get a sea taxi from the Old Harbor to Mandraki to visit the town and then return to your boat. Walking (around half an hour) through the island's landscape is another alternative. Tourists in Hydra can enjoy walks through the small roads and alleys, good cuisine, historic aspects that are prevalent in the Town, as well as a busy nightlife in the cozy bars in the harbor and in the small roads around it.

Another cozy destination near Hydra is the uninhabited islet of Dokos, around 10 miles to the west from Hydra port. This is another wonderful sailing destination where the yacht can anchor close to the shore and spend the night in the serene, unspoiled cove.

Day 3: Hydra - Kiparissi bay, Peloponnese (32 nm)

The following destination is Kyparissi bay, in Peloponnese (mainland Greece). It is located about 50 nm away of Hydra, so it's a long trip by sailing boat. Like most of the eastern coastline of Peloponnese is full in trees and it's a very calm place with clean waters to swim. I have been there once but I had the chance to see a sea turtle (unfortunately also a herd of jellyfish, which disappeared after a short while...).Kyparissi bay is big (1,8 nm from one side to the other). There is a little dock at the north side that offers secure shelter and you can walk (or call for a taxi) to the south side where is the small village. I loved the calmness which that village offers. You can find supplies there (food, water, ice) but no electricity (to the best of my knowledge).

Once you enter the castle the old town is preserved almost intact, since the Medieval Age. Chapels and houses are maintained obviously with effort, other ruins have collapsed, altogether creating a sense of originality. There are some hotels, restaurants and cozy bars, all with wonderful view, as well as gift shops. The architecture of the buildings, one next to the other, is spectacular and offered a good solution to spatial restrictions as well as defense purposes. On the top of the hill lays the castle and it takes another fifteen minutes walking on stiff stairs to get there. But once you reach the top, you can see the remainings of the palace, the old church "Agia Sofia" and a 360o view of the surroundings, mainly the Aegean Sea.

Day 5: Monemvasia - Spetses island (36 nm)

Once the visitor has filled his or her mind with the image of Monemvasia, it is time to start the return trip. It's already day 5, and there are only two days left. A long journey of 36 miles, or more, is ahead. Next destination is the island of Spetses, but the exact anchorage point depends also on the winds.As the return trip heads almost straight to North, it is obvious  that it cannot take place against strong north winds. The captain and the crew must take this into consideration when planning the trip in advance. Assuming that there are no strong north winds, you can head to the bays at the southern coast of Spetses island, which are beautiful, with greenery and crystal waters.

Day 6: Spetses - Poros island (27 nm)

Next destination is Poros, in the Saronic Gulf. It is a beautiful island, covered with pine trees, very close to the northern Peloponnese coast. You may swim at the bays of Poros, in friendly, crystal waters. When heading to the port, cross the Poros canal with caution and berth at Poros port. Attention is needed to the big depths in the port where a lot of chain is required. By the dock, the depth reaches 3 meters.

The port of Poros is beautiful and busy with many restaurants and bars. Because of its proximity to Athens, it is especially busy during summer weekends.

Day 7: Poros - Alimos marina (29 nm)

The final day (Friday morning) leave Poros island to return to Alimos marina. You can stop for lunch and a swim at the island of Aegina; the exact spot depends also on the wind direction: with northern winds you can stop in the bay of Klima, at the southern coast of Aegina, or at the magnificent islet of Metopi, close to the western coast of Aegina. In case of southern winds, the islet of Moni (by the port of Perdika in Aegina) offers another wonderful swimming spot. There is also a beautiful spot at the northern coast of Aegina, in Vagia, which however is suggested to visit only with calm winds, as it offers no protection; it is affected even by the southern winds.

Return to the home port of Alimos is scheduled by 5pm, allowing enough time in the evening for a rest and then visit the Athens City Center. A wonderful, historic trip has come to an end!