Mooring: At Vathi, stern or bows-to mooring on the harbor wall where you can find space.
To Do: Walk through the olive groves, Sail by Onassis' private islands
Facilities: Water (can be turned off in summer) - Provisions - Tavernas
Day 3: Vassiliki, Levkas
Vassiliki Bay on the southwest coast of Levkas island is the place for windsurfing. The brisk afternoon wind that blows off the hills has made Vassiliki a place of pilgrimage for board-sailors and is said to be one of the ten best in the Mediterranean. The wind here is popular that even has a name, Eric!
It's a relaxed waterfront town with plenty of good tavernas lying in the shade of the trees and is a charming place to visit on a Vassiliki boat charter. Bounded to the west by the rugged hills of Cape Doukato, the limestone cliffs that give Lefkas its name and from which the poet Sappho is said to have leapt to her death after having been spurned by her lover, Vassiliki is a wide and sheltered bay that is happening place in summer with many onshore activities to keep the troops entertained.
In July and August you can expect to find windsurfing competitions, beauty pageants and plenty of fun. There's even a disco so get your dancing shoes ready.
Mooring: You can anchor at the head of the bay in 6 - 16 feet (2 - 5 meters) on sand and weed, which is comfortable in moderate winds, but not if there are strong gusts. In the inner harbor, you can moor stern or bows-to on the west or south quays but be aware of silting - yachts drawing 6 feet (2 meters) or more should be especially careful. The east quay of the outer harbor is an alternative. Here, skippers will want to ensure that their anchor is well in and should lay a second anchor as the prevailing wind blows straight in.
To Do: Windsurfing, Disco-dancing
Facilities: Water - Fuel - Provisions - Bakery - Tavernas and bars - Public wash-house
Day 4: Fiscardo Kefalonia
Kefalonia is the largest Island in Greece's Ionian sea, with a mountainous interior covered in pine and cypress forests. It is a landscape made famous by Louis de Berniere's book 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' (and the film version starring Nicholas Cage), as you sail around the island, impressive mountain scenery is your backdrop. The island's interior is well worth exploring by bike, car or jeep, all of which are available to rent in Fiscardo. Cephalonia has, at various times, been in Roman, Norman, Pisan, Turkish, Venetian, French and English hands and was occupied for a time by the Italians. Now Cephalonia is Greek, although there remains a definite Italian feel. Fiscardo, located on the north-eastern tip of the island, and marked by an impressive Venetian lighthouse on the north side of the bay, is one of the few villages that survived the 1953 earthquake (almost unscathed) and its 19th century Italianate architecture remains intact.
Fiscardo itself is a gem of a seaside town, with much to appeal to the visiting sailor. It's quite the place to see and be seen, sometimes referred to by some as 'Kensington by the Sea'. In summer it is very popular and moorings can be in short supply as sailors gravitate to the shops, boutiques, tavernas and nightclubs of the pretty harbor. The Captain's Cabin on the waterfront is something of a yachtsman's gathering place for early evening drinks, while Herodotus and the Garden Taverna come recommended for their delicious food. Fiscardo is a good place from which to explore the fortresses, monasteries, museums and hiking trails of the northern part of the island. It is also within easy reach of some wonderful snug and secluded coves with crystal clear waters, ideal to anchor for an afternoon of swimming, snorkeling and relaxation.
Mooring: Berth stern or bows-to on the town quay where possible. There is a pontoon run by Tassia's Taverna on the west side of the harbor. When the quay is full, anchor and take a long line to the shore on the north side, keeping well clear of the ferry berth. The bottom is sand, mud and weed with a few scattered rocks, holding is good once through the weed.
To Do: Climb up to the Venetian lighthouse for fabulous views, Hire a motorbike, car or jeep and explore the interior of the island, Visit the ruins of a Palaeolithic settlement and Byzantine church
Facilities: Water - Electricity - Fuel - Provisions
Day 5: Free Sailing
What do you want to do today? You can put your sailing skills to the test and go for a big sailing adventure, sail to a secluded bay for some lunch, go to the nearest town for a spot of shopping, or simply relax where you are, it's entirely up to you.
Day 6: Abelike Bay, Meganissi
Hvar Island to Brac Island - 16 nm. Just across Hvar Channel to the north is Brac Island, the third largest island in the Adriatic. More arid than some of the other isles of the Dalmatians, the rocky pine-studded mountains are obvious as you approach the island from the sea. The beauty is stark, the ambience seemingly remote, but Brac is actually quite populated and home to the two big resorts of Supetar and Bol, which hum with activity during the high season (July and August). As you close with the coast, set a course for the small fishing village of Milna, where you relax for the evening aboard or go ashore to explore.
Mooring: The bay is relatively deep - 26-40 feet (8-12m) - rising abruptly to the shore. The best strategy is to anchor and take a long line ashore to a tree or a rock. The bottom is mud and weed with decent holding once you get through the weed. During the day, the bay is relatively sheltered but in the evening a katabatic wind from the north east can make things a little uncomfortable.
To Do: Swim - Chill out - Beach barbecue
Day 7: Return to Flotilla Base, Vounaki
The base in the southern Ionian, and the starting point for your Vounaki yacht charter, is Vounaki, a small marina located just south of the town of Paleros. Vounaki is situated at the foot of the Arkanika Mountains and the marina is a short 15-minute walk from Paleros, a seaside town that has a number of good tavernas along the waterfront serving locally caught fish - bream, bass and octopus are amongst the most popular - and other local specialities.
