AEGEAN FAMILY CRUISE - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Day 1
Fly to Athens. Transfer by road and ferry to Karystos. We board our caique for our first night on board.

Day 2
To Bouros bay for some swimming off the boat in the deep blue Aegean sea. In the afternoon we head back to Karystos. Situated at the bottom of the majestic Mt Ohi (1400m) it is a lively island market town. An array of ouzo/meze tavernas, with lines of octopuses lying out front to dry, are scattered along the waterfront. Fishermen often sit and mend their nets in the shade of the Mulberry tree of the main square. We take taxis (optional) to explore one of the finest Venetian Castles in the Mediterranean. Sitting impressively on Montofoli hill, it overlooks the town and bay. Castello Rosso has a lot of romantic, and a few bloodthirsty, tales attached to its long history. Franks, Venetians, Catalans and Turks have all overun the site at some point in history. Back in Karystos time for the evening wandering and dinner in one of the many small tavernas.

Day 3
We cruise to peaceful hamlet of Porto Lafia, where we can swim off the boat in the crystal waters of Lafia bay, surrounded by high mountains. We cruise on to Panagia village, a small fishing community at the end of a scenic fjord-like channel. There is ample time here for swimming, snorkelling, or exploring the beautiful coastline and the village of Agios Dimitrios. We visit Panagia's church with its superb frescoes and go to the fresh water pools where we get a chance to see turtles.

Day 4
After breakfast we cruise to Porto Buffalo, a small lagoon for more swimming off the boat. We head north in the afternoon to the famous city-state of the 4th century, Eretria. The city was plundered and razed to the ground by the Persians but we can visit the remains of the temples, houses, gymnasium, theatre and the beautiful museum. Eretria's cosmopolitan promenade offers many shopping facilities and a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and bars.

Day 5
Optional visit to Eretria's museum and its ancient ruins. We then cruise southwards down the Evian gulf to Styra. Sailing past the as-yet uninhabited islands of Kavaliani and Styra, we dock at the pretty and lively seaside town of Nea Styra. Popular with visitors coming to Evia, it has a real family atmosphere and is a great place for seafood lovers. There is time to swim and snorkel off the boat and by the beautiful nearby sandy beach.

Day 6
We cruise to the exclusive group of private islands of Petali, once the summer residence of the Greek Royals. Nowadays the Picasso family and some of the wealthiest Greek shipping tycoons occupy the seven gems. We anchor off the biggest island for a swim and snorkel in the exotic turcoise waters. We then continue on to Marmari, a fishing village built like an amphitheatre on the hills facing the Petali isles. From here we can take an optional walk to the Zastani coves for further secluded swimming and snorkelling. Marmari has a picturesque promenade that is dotted with coffe shops and tavernas with a view over all the local fishing boats; an superbe location for dinner.

Day 7
After breakfast we cruise to Mnima bay to the south of the island for a realxed day and a last chance to swim off the boat and some great snorkelling. Late afternoon, we head back to Karystos for some last minute shopping and a celebratory farewell dinner in one of the waterfront tavernas.

Day 8
We take the ferry to Rafina. Transfer to Athens and flightto London.