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With countless islands rising from the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades are a spectacular destination. Our Dreamy 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure: Part 2 covers the other half of our voyage through the land of myths and legends.
Don’t miss reading about our
Dreamy 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure: Part 1
Contents
8-Day Itinerary Overview
Part 1:
- Athens to Kea
- Hello to Serifos and hit the seas!
- Sifnos
- Polyegos and Milos
Part 2:
- More of Stunning Milos
- Folegandros
- Santorini
- Farewell in Santorini
Route Map for our Dreamy 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure
Fifth Day: Spectacular Milos
Sarakiniko Beach
One place on Milos which stands out from the rest is Sarakiniko Beach, located on the northern shore. Many people consider this to be one of the world’s most spectacular beaches. If the moon had a beach, this would be it. Silvery-white rocks which have been smoothed away by the salty water into a wavy, lunar-like landscape are peppered with boulders, valleys and caves. All this is off-set by brilliant sparkling turquoise water where the cliffs drop down dramatically. In one word it’s stunning and a must-see for everyone.
Sarakiniko is not only a unique swimming destination, but also a unique site from a geological point of view. We spend some time here clambering amongst the lunar-like landscape, exploring caves and taking in the atmosphere on a sandy patch of beach surrounded by the towering cliffs and turquoise water. It is truly a “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment.
Caves dug out by pirates once upon a time!
Catacombs
Exploring Plaka in a bit more depth today, we visit some extraordinary historical places. Our first stop are the Catacombs of Tripiti Village, a cave complex that constitutes one of the most ancient monuments of Christianity and one of the most spiritual and historically interesting parts of Greek culture and civilisation. Caves and children are always good things so this is one site we highly recommend, if anything but for the respite from the heat of the midday sun. However, be prepared for a wait as there are only a few people allowed into the cave at a time with a guide. Nearby there is also the site where the Aphrodite of Milos was discovered and the ancient Roman theatre. These date back to the Hellenistic Age and they are ideal to explore to learn about the local history.
Klima
Just when I thought we wouldn’t find anymore special places on Milos, we come upon the village of Klima. Situated below the village of Tripiti, this unique spot frequently tops the world’s must-see lists. This colourful seaside village is beyond charming. A long strip of multi-coloured houses carved into the rocks line the waterfront, more commonly known as “syrmatas”. Simple in structure, these two-story homes were used to house the fishermen’s boats and they were painted vibrant colours so they could be recognised by their owners.
Gorgeous isn’t enough to describe this stretch of village. We spend our time here meandering the waterfront and popping into some of the buildings which have been turned into shops. There isn’t much to do in Klima other than appreciate the pretty houses but the children were charmed by the magic of the place. Whilst the village isn’t what it used to be, it still retains its charm and you can even rent out one of the homes for an authentic experience. The sunsets here are truly an amazing experience. I know where we will be staying in the future!
Just look at these houses!
Klima is pedestrian only but the ground is uneven. For those with younger children, it is not suitable for prams so wear a baby carrier. The only place to park is the main road but it can get busy. There are a couple restaurants by the water’s edge. Panorama Restaurant is perched on the hill above Klima within the Panorama Hotel. Alternatively, there is our favourite, Astakas Cafe/Restaurant, situated right on the beach with a great view of the sunset.
Final Thoughts
Children are able to experience so many inspirational places on Milos. There are pirate caves galore, old sulphur and manganese mines to visit (Milos is home to one of the largest mines in Europe), museums dedicated to mining and religion, turquoise waters to swim in and beaches to die for. The opportunities to learn about geology, history, culture, religion, archaeology and mythology are numerous. Our visit to Milos has certainly been a highlight of our 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure. This is one island you may want to spend a bit of extra time to get the most out of it.
Read More: 13 Tips For A Family Sailing Holiday In Greece
Sixth Day: Fabulous Folegandros
About
Sailing south from Milos, we hug the coastline of Folegandros to get an overview of this tiny island. Being just eight miles long and three miles wide, its diminutive size is certainly not an impediment by any means. Packed with pristine beaches and secluded coves surrounded by azure waters, the wild beauty of this barren rugged landscape has already formed quite the first impression.
We finally come face to face with the meltemi as we turn north. It is here we experience the forces of the true emperor of the Aegean. With the sounds of the waves and the murmur of the winds still echoing in our ears (that and a few more animal biscuits thrown in to appease Poseidon), we arrive in the alluring harbour village of Karavostasi with its tiny whitewashed houses looking pretty as a postcard.
This island has been high on my list of places to visit. Folegandros is a fiercely guarded secret that ticks all the Greek-idyll boxes; seas a myriad of blues, golden hued beaches, scented hiking trails and sleepy villages. It has the allure of an island untouched by international tourists. Maybe it is because it takes some effort to get there – either a 5 hour ferry ride from Athens or an hour boat ride from Santorini. Or maybe it’s the island’s mythological credentials – being named after the son of King Minos is quite a feat. Whatever the reason, this diminutive island is likely to be one of the most charming places you will ever visit.
Hora
Stepping off our catamaran is like stepping into a tranquil timewarp. Time seems to move slowly here where the fastest living thing is a cat searching for a comfortable place to nap. With the scent of bougainvillea in the air, we make our way by taxi to Hora, to explore the main village. Hora truly is one of the most beautiful medieval villages of the Aegean with its jumble of whitewashed houses, labyrinthine stone alleys and charming squares all perched on the edge of a vertiginous cliff. Entering Hora is like stepping onto a film set. Traditional tavernas sit next to crumbling medieval churches and village squares are draped in colourful bougainvillea. It is all so achingly pretty, you want to take photos of everything that does and doesn’t move!
Kastro
We explore Kastro, the oldest part of the village. This is a place untouched by the passage of time, a medieval fortified settlement built by the Venetians in the 1200s. Built on the sea-flanked edge of a plunging 200m (650ft) cliff to protect the residents from pirates, it is truly a sight to behold. Some of the houses are an incredible 1000 years old and are surprisingly still inhabited. It’s an ideal opportunity to bring history into our wanderings.
Our son is excited to hear coins have been found in the area
stamped with the bull of Minos.
Within the three connected squares of Dounavis, Kontarini and Kritikos, the restaurants are all traditional yet outstanding in every respect. Waiters weaving in and out around the diners, passing out traditional dishes such as matsada (homemade pasta served with rabbit) kalasouna (a famous cheese pie) and karpouzenia (a traditional sweet made of watermelon, honey and sesame). The shops are very upscale catering to yacht owners more than tourists but there is no lack of traditional ones selling beautiful island-made treasures. We eat, we shop, we explore. The children fill their time running around the narrow warren of cobbled alleyways befriending the local feline residents and curious miniature lizards.
However it is during sunset when this already stunning village comes to life. It really shines when the hand of Mother Nature paints the white houses in shades of burnished bronzes and golds. Follow the cobbled street out of Pounta Square to a zig-zagging path climbing up the mountain to the Church of Panagia, the trademark of Folegandros. For a spectacular end to a magnificent day, watch the sun dip below the horizon and experience colours you have only ever witnessed in a painting.
Final Thoughts
Folegandros is utterly captivating, offering an unspoiled charm that is very barefoot chic. It has the most unusual concoction of a low-keyed Bohemian vibe staged in an incredibly romantic setting where all the people of the island become one big audience under the canopy of bougainvillea and stars. With the scents of thyme, sage and oregano wafting through the air, we make our departure late in the balmy evening, kicking back and enjoying the shooting stars off the bow of our boat. It is a fitting end to a stellar day on our Dreamy 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure.
Read More: Top 10 Greek Mythology Toys And Games For Kids
Seventh Day: Santorini
The last leg of our itinerary is by no means the least desirable. The mythical Santorini looms ahead of us. We make our way towards the caldera itself, gaping like the hungry mouth of a sea serpent. Situated inside the crater of a huge volcano, this island is one of the most unique destinations in the world. We have been to Santorini pre- children, arriving by ferry to the main port along with hundreds of other travellers. Sailing in on our own boat is a completely different and mind blowing experience everyone should do at least once in their lives.
Both our kids have their eyes peeled onto the sea ahead. Our son is searching for any evidence of the mythical city and our daughter is eagerly looking for mermaids. They are thrilled with the prospect of seeing the birthplace of the legendary Atlantis.
About
According to mythology, Santorini was born when Euphemus (son of Poseidon) threw a clod of earth into the sea. He watched a miracle occur as the island emerged from the waves. More recently, it’s Plato’s The Lost City of Atlantis that is rumoured to be the modern-day Santorini, specifically Thira itself. It is said the rest of it lies at the bottom of the sea due to a massive volcanic eruption that resulted in destructive earthquakes and floods. Our son is excited to learn about the recent discovery of a 5000 year old city off the coast. This feeds his imagination all the more. This is certainly one of the world’s most talked-about myths and it’s enough to capture the imagination of any child.
A Dazzling Day
We spend our day sailing around Santorini. First stop is visiting the black and red sand beaches. We then sail inside the caldera itself, enjoying breathtaking swimming locations unreachable except by sea. We spend the night moored underneath the dazzling lights of Oia itself with a final special meal at Taverna Katina in Amoudi Bay, accessible only by boat (unless you want to climb down the 300 steps from Oia). Touted to be the best seafood on Santorini, we dine on exquisite calamari and fish caught early that morning in the sea immediately in front of the restaurant.
We make our way back to the boat in the darkness on our dinghy. Our skipper, Fivos, asks us if we wish to experience the incredible. Our kids jump at the opportunity, excited to see what lies ahead. Fivos takes us further out into the millennia-old caldera. The twinkling lights of Oia look as if they are gently floating above in the distance but the inky darkness envelopes us instantly. With nothing but the sounds of the water gently lapping against the sides of our dinghy, Fivos explains, “Now you will see something really special” as he points to the sky.
The image above us plays out like a dazzling concert. A symphony of scintillating stars shine brightly, covering the sky like a glimmering carpet. The waves almost sing a song to us as the wind hums along. Shooting stars dash past various planets, leaving trails like diamonds in their wake. With the Milky Way and the moon lighting our way, we realise this is truly a magical and fitting end to our incredible 8 day sailing adventure.
Eighth Day: Goodbye in Santorini
I believe our 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure is like a curtain opening to another universe; a universe of wonder and learning. What initially appear to be tiny specs on a map, we quickly realised these tiny specs form what are some of the most beautiful places on earth.
We have just witnessed scenery that appears as if it has been created by Greek gods themselves. The beaches are out of this world. The whitewashed villages which crown the glorious windswept islands are the epitome of charm. We have experienced culture, history, mythology, geology, geography in the Cyclades; years of learning all condensed into eight days. I have no doubt many of these experiences will remain in our children’s memories long after the memories of fun have drifted away. Can the same be said if they had learned all this in a classroom?
My thoughts turn back to reality as I quickly realise I am chewing on one of my daughter’s animal biscuits as we depart the boat that has been our incredible home for the last eight days on our 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure. Poseidon may not be best pleased as I consume his sacrifice but I am hoping his memory will disperse with the meltemi before our return one day. Until then he may need to content himself with his denizens of the deep for company.
The Details
Our 8-day boat charter was made through brokerage firm VMS Leisure Marine Services based in Athens. They have a large selection of boats available in different price ranges. We chartered a crewed catamaran and organised the itinerary ourselves. However, they are happy to guide and suggest itineraries if required. Their service was exceptional and VMS Leisure went above and beyond in many instances to ensure our comfort and security.
Email vmsleisure@gmail.com for any charter enquiries, mentioning Intelligent Journeys.
We hope you have enjoyed our Dreamy 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Adventure: Part 2!
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