Sailing Greece and Turkey “combo”

Day Two - Sail to Paleonissos - "Old Island". Hidden away in a fjord-like nook of Kalymnos, this little anchorage really is "old Greece". The most predominent sound are the goat bells, echoing around the steep-sided hills either side.

There are just two tavernas (and one church); it's a chill-and-swim tranquility spot. By the time you've settled into sunset drinks & dinner at a little family taverna overlooking the bay, you'll have already forgotten what a "tube" or a "traffic jam" is!

Day Three  - Sail to Pothia - the main harbour of Kalymnos. A bustling fishing port, this is very much a "Greek" town - you won't find too may package tourists with lobster-broiled skins and tattoos wandering around here! It's former claim-to-fame was as a major sponge-diving centre; there is a fascinating underwater archeological museum which charts their history. Of course, there are still lots of sponges to buy!

For those wishing to explore further afield on the island, the west coast is a rocky, wild collection of beaches and villages, well worth hiring a car and exploring for the afternoon. Or there is a little "town beach" for those would prefer to chill locally, to honour the local tradition of "siesta time"... till the town starts to wake up and the waterfront becomes a lively Mediterranean promenade.

Day Four - This is our long day's sail - up at the crack o' dawn to sail down to Niseros - the volcano island. It's a 5-6 hours sail, a lovely downwind cruise. Niseros is not on the main ferry routes, nor does it have an airport... which has happily kept it from any mass tourist influx. The traditional little harbour town is just gorgeous - a photographer's dream of postcard material around every corner.

The volcana is still officially active, though has not erupted since 1888. One can hike around the huge, lunar-like crater, the smell of sulphur still very much in the air.

Day Five morning - Another early start - today is when we check out of Greece, and begin our Turkish explorations. We'll be doing this at the island of Simi, the official port of entry/exit for the area. Simi harbour is a fascinating disarray of buildings, scattered down the steep slopes of the harbour, looking much more neo-classical Italian than Greek!

Sadly, it is becoming increasingly packed out with tourist boats; so it will be a brief couple of hours stop here to explore the harbourfront, do our paperwork.... and then it will be onto Datca - our first stop in Turkey!

Day Five - afternoon Datca - It's busy and bustling too, but in a much nicer sense, if we are a little "snotty-yachtie" about it (We, after all, are not tourists - we are yachties!). It has a lovely, open waterfront, recently redeveloped with some interesting statues and architecture; the older traditional shops, restaurants and bars still lining the backdrop. It's a great place to find local craft bargains; jewellery, carpets, antique-looking bits n' bobs.

The town also boasts a haman - 'Turkish Bath house', which is quite the cultural experience! Heated marble slabs to lie on, cool flowing water to douse oneself in to cool off; a masseur to give you a full-on exfoliation treatment (it's shocking how much dead skin we carry around with us!); and then a traditional oil massage and apple tea at the end to round off the experience.

We can also arrange a visit to "Old Datca" up in the hills - formerly a Greek village, before the WW2 "population swap". En route is an active olive oil farm, which looks like an old stately home; their demo tours of the oil-making process are quite fascinating.

Day Six - A late departure (after lunch) from Datca, to give everyone time to explore in the morning. It's a 2 hour, leisurely sail to our next destination of Dirsek - a very pretty and quiet little bay, with just one taverna nestled in a corner. Wonderful swimming, great chillout spot.

A goat-track hike of about 30mins takes you to the top of an amazing panoramic vista over the entire bay. The taverna is run by an extended family of brothers, cousins and assorted other relatives - one of our little home-from-home spots which is usually very tranquil and calm. Unless, that is, our group happen to be in a party mood - in which case the group of young brothers are more than happy throw themselves into the spirit too!

The family usually give us a present of home-made bread in the morning, fresh from their wood-fired oven - with local honey, mmmmm!!

Day Seven - Sail to Ova Buku - a horseshoe-shaped bay with a lovely sandy beach; a little village and farmland as the backdrop. The key feature here is "Ogun's" - an off-beat little establishment, right on the beachfront. It's a restaurant, bar, hangout spot all rolled into one. We're welcome to use their beachbeds, wifi, showers and generally feel like visiting family (we pretty much are, after all these years)

The main character is Ogun himself - the larger-than-life, exuberant proprietor. He bounces around from table to table with his characteristic Ogun laugh; smiles are always infectious, and Ogun's Place reflects his contagiously positive energy.

Ogun's sister, Semra is responsible for the very unusual array of home-cooked home which they are also famous for. Married to a French guy, imagine the combo of French and Turkish cuisine.... yum!!!

Day Eight -  Bozburun to Bozuk Buku, a gentle, relaxing downwind leg of around 2-3hrs. Bozuk Buku is scenically a total contrast to the other places we visit - the softer, pine-forested hills suddenly change into dramatically towering cliffs, arid and desolate as any desert. The ancient city of Lorimer used to be situated here, and the fortress walls which surrounded the entire bay can still be seen. We moor up on a rickety wooden dock right underneath the castle walls; it's a half hour scramble up to the castle, for stunning views over the bay. There's always lots of friendly "yachtie chat" around the dock, and everyone slowly winds up in the little, idiosyncratic taverna overlooking the water.

Day Nine - Sail to Bozburun. Formerly a traditional boat-building village, there are still a few boatyards there which craft the old style wooden "gulets". One wonders why on earth there is any need for more, as the waterfront of Bozburun is packed with dozens already ! - but they are very pretty craft to adorn the old village. Still happily off the main tourist tracks, the little village of Bozburun is very traditional Turkish, with a statue of Ataturk dominating the main square. A small mosque is welcoming to visitors; and for our guys in need of a little sprucing up after being salty yachties, there is a traditional barber who will give you the closest shave you've had ever!. Ears, nose, head massage, it's the full works.

Our home-from-home here is a little family pension, where we are also welcome to use their sunbeds, showers, hammocks... and join their feast of a buffet for our farewell dinner ! They have lovely little rooms overlooking the water, should anyone feel in need of a little last night luxury. Disembark 9am. Our skippers can help organise transfers to Mamaris (for ferry connections to Rhodes, Greece), or to Dalaman airport.