{"id":23923,"date":"2022-07-18T17:54:34","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T23:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/?p=23923"},"modified":"2024-04-24T14:43:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T20:43:24","slug":"sailing-greek-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/sailing-greek-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailing the Greek Islands, from Athens"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"23923\" class=\"elementor elementor-23923\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec6662b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ec6662b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9ebd653\" data-id=\"9ebd653\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-85e6c61 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"85e6c61\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6100eaeb\" data-id=\"6100eaeb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10588f1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10588f1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>GREECE<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-514a8017 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"514a8017\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f8f3d8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f8f3d8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A catamaran trip exploring Greece&#8217;s Saronic Islands<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-63d44ce3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"63d44ce3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-72502ef9\" data-id=\"72502ef9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92fba19 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92fba19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s I prepared for a week of sailing the Greek Islands, I felt as though I was about to reunite with an old friend. Thirty years had passed since I&#8217;d visited Greece, but I had clear memories of the delicious food, friendly people, and striking contrast of the green hills against the turquoise sea. I was a young, inexperienced traveler back then, but knew enough to recognize that Greece was special.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4022ab30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4022ab30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sailing-greek-islands-morning-coffee.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23936\" alt=\"Susan sits with a cup of coffee on a sailboat in the Saronic Greek island. Only her legs are visible, with sailboats in the distance\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sailing-greek-islands-morning-coffee.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sailing-greek-islands-morning-coffee-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sailing-greek-islands-morning-coffee-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sailing-greek-islands-morning-coffee-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sailing-greek-islands-morning-coffee-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Mornings on a sailboat in the Greek Islands<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d51cb35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d51cb35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Trip to Greece, 30 Years Earlier<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26102975 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26102975\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My friend and I had been backpacking in Italy when we decided to add a quick trip to the Greek island of Corfu.\u00a0 We dozed on an overnight ferry from Brindisi and landed in Corfu as the sun appeared on the horizon, casting a lemony glow. It wasn&#8217;t yet breakfast time, and we were greeted with ouzo shots and a raucous smashing of plates, at the famous backpacker&#8217;s hostel, the Pink Palace. We ate, swam, and explored the island by scooter. There was also some late-night revelry, including a backpackers nod to Greek culture, the toga party.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast forward almost 30 years and the midlife me was excited to once more experience the food, culture and history of Greece. And to trade late-night dancing for early mornings with coffee and a view of the turqoise sea.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89f668f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"89f668f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My Greek Island Sailing Trip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed642a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed642a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Greece has the longest coastline in Europe, and thousands of islands, so I chose a Greek Island sailing trip for my next adventure.\u00a0 Since I\u2019d be traveling on my own, I booked a group tour aboard a private catamaran charter. My trip was organized and guided by\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/traversejourneys.com\/book\/greece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Traverse Journeys,<\/a><\/span>\u00a0 a U.S.-based tour operator that offers curated travel experiences around the world.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa982eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aa982eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Greece-sailing-trip-catamaran-819x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-38974\" alt=\"An overview of a week long sailing trip to greece with four photos. A photo of sailboats at the top and 6 bullet points describing the trip.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Greece-sailing-trip-catamaran-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Greece-sailing-trip-catamaran-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Greece-sailing-trip-catamaran-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Greece-sailing-trip-catamaran.jpg 924w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b0665e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b0665e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I created this map that shows the mainland ports and scenic islands that we visited on our sailing trip from Athens.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: I spent time in Athens before and after the trip, which I highly recommend. You can learn more in these stories: <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/athens-tour-guide-tips\/https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/athens-tour-guide-tips\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Greece Travel Tips from a Local Guide<\/span><\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/athens-greece-safety\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> Is Athens Safe? Tips for a Safe and Memorable Visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2123508 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2123508\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Google Map - Saronic Gulf Greek Island Hopping <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9326e31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9326e31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1pcvgO6M1k6i-e3zXgAw_Unk535Iv8hE3&#038;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b6b6da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b6b6da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our week-long adventure would explore the Saronic Islands which are found in the Aegean&#8217;s Saronic Gulf between the Greek mainland area of Attica, and the Peloponnese Peninsula. The Saronic Islands&#8217; proximity to Athens allows for a a sailing adventure that can easily begin and end in the Greek capital &#8211; no need for connecting flights or ferries. For that reason, the Saronic Islands are popular with Greeks, as a place for a weekend away or extended holiday. And many Athenians own homes here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5978e3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5978e3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sailing the Greek Islands<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc949a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc949a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Other island groups commonly explored by sailboat include: the Ionian Islands (of which Corfu is a part), the Sporades, North Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese and the famous Cyclades, where Santorini is found. Detailed information about all of Greece&#8217;s island groups is available on the Greece tourism website:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgreece.gr\/islands\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Greece &#8211; Greek Islands.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85a7c40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"85a7c40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/catamaran-sailing-greek-islands.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24261\" alt=\"The 50-foot catamaran that was home to the group on a Traverse Journeys Greek island sailing trip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/catamaran-sailing-greek-islands.jpg 700w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/catamaran-sailing-greek-islands-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/catamaran-sailing-greek-islands-150x193.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-359a624 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"359a624\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-94a18a8\" data-id=\"94a18a8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-055b4bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"055b4bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sailing From Athens<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0257de9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0257de9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our group met at the Alimos Marina in Athens where we were welcomed aboard a 50-foot catamaran. Our crew for the week were a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">charismatic former Greek Navy captain named Haris Psaropoulos, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joy Sherman, an experienced American sailor and captain, from Connecticut. Joy would be our first mate and cook on this trip. She has sailed Greece quite extensively. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Haris would prove to be a sort of cultural attach\u00e9, advising us on important matters such as how to drink a shot of ouzo (by sipping it slowly) and the meaning of GMT, \u201cGreek Maybe Time\u201d \u2014 don&#8217;t expect things to go precisely to plan or according to a schedule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7739017 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7739017\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ashley-blake-traverse-journeys-aegina-greece.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23968\" alt=\"Ashley Blake, founder of Traverse Journeys holds a platter with a red snapper, on the Greek Island of Aegina, during a sailing trip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ashley-blake-traverse-journeys-aegina-greece.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ashley-blake-traverse-journeys-aegina-greece-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ashley-blake-traverse-journeys-aegina-greece-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ashley-blake-traverse-journeys-aegina-greece-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ashley-blake-traverse-journeys-aegina-greece-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Ashley Blake, founder of Traverse Journeys on my Greek Islands Sailing Trip <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd99e25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd99e25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leading our tour was Ashley Blake, the founder of Traverse Journeys. Like many of the six guests, Ashley had limited sailing experience, but is adventurous and ready for anything. She welcomed us with locally made tote bags and special gifts for sharing during our week together, such as Greek mountain tea. My sailing experience was limited to day trips, but I love water.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">I was very happy to discover there were stand-up paddle boards and snorkel gear on our catamaran.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">As long as the weather wasn&#8217;t too wild, I was ready for my first sailing adventure in the Greek islands.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4761928 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4761928\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-29084ad\" data-id=\"29084ad\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-104d0af elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"104d0af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/temple-aphaia-aegina-greek-islands-sailing.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24079\" alt=\"Ashley Blake, founder of Traverse Journeys walks next to the Temple of Aphaia in Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/temple-aphaia-aegina-greek-islands-sailing.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/temple-aphaia-aegina-greek-islands-sailing-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/temple-aphaia-aegina-greek-islands-sailing-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/temple-aphaia-aegina-greek-islands-sailing-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Ashley Blak on a visit to the Aphaia Temple. Aegina, Greece<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-381c420 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"381c420\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Aegina Island<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3f3d99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e3f3d99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After settling in to our spacious cabins, each with an its own bath, we set out for our first destination, Aegina Island. From the bow, I watched Athens fade into the distance, enjoying the wind on my face. A sailing trip gives you a pleasant breeze whenever you are underway, a nice perk in warm weather. The boat followed the hilly coastline and a large ferry appeared on the horizon. By the time we cruised into Aegina\u2019s port, with its colorful fishing boats and waterfront tavernas, I already felt a world away from Athens.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our first dinner was in a pretty waterfront taverna owned by a local family. They had selected a special menu for our first evening, a chance to try some of the local dishes. We feasted on tender calamari, crispy fried cheese, seasonal greens known as horca, red snapper and the best greek salad I have ever tasted. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we were served little glasses of ouzo at the end of the meal, I braced for a pungent assault, recalling what I&#8217;d tasted in Corfu so many years before. I took a small sip and found the ouzo&#8217;s subtle warmth and mellow flavor were delicious, unlike any ouzo I had tried.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-608b461 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"608b461\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aegina-greece-fishing-boats.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23935\" alt=\"Colorful fishing boats in the port on the Greek island of Aegina\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aegina-greece-fishing-boats.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aegina-greece-fishing-boats-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aegina-greece-fishing-boats-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aegina-greece-fishing-boats-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/aegina-greece-fishing-boats-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46becd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"46becd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next day we drove up through Aegina\u2019s rolling hills, pine-scented air wafting in through the car windows. Aegina is the driest island in the Saronic, hot in the summer and mild in winter, and offers ideal conditions for growing the very special &#8220;Aegina pistachios&#8221;. They thrive in<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0the perfect alchemy of soil and air,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">with s<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">teady breezes assisting in pollination.<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We passed pistachio groves with trees as old as 100 years. I admired the shiny, broad leaves which created a vibrant canopy on arching branches. The pistachios were still small in late May; they wouldn&#8217;t be harvested until early fall, and would grow into a small, colorful pistachio called <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;koilarati&#8221; which means round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bbd68a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5bbd68a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Temple of Aphaia<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a35792e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a35792e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-temple-aphaia-greece.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23924\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich in front of the Temple of Aphaia in Aegina Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-temple-aphaia-greece.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-temple-aphaia-greece-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-temple-aphaia-greece-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-temple-aphaia-greece-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-temple-aphaia-greece-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Susan Heinrich in front of the Temple of Aphaia in Aegina Greece<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c40da5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c40da5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We continued up the windy road toward a very special ancient monument, the Temple of Aphaia. When we parked in a small lot I thought there was a mistake. Where were the buses and cars? We climbed the steps to the temple and realized we were the only ones here. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The temple was stunning.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">It was built circa 500 BCE and t<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">he columns are<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">Doric limestone. This is the only temple entirely devoted to the goddess, Aphaia. The setting, <\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">amongst pretty pine trees with incredible views out to the sea,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">felt both dramatic and serene.<\/span> <span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">And the absence of other tourists made it feel as if we had stepped back in time. The Temple of Aphaia<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\"> is considered one of the better preserved of the Ancient Greek temples and the quiet atmosphere allowed me to imagine what life was life in Ancient Greece.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-843b83c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"843b83c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/aegina-island-greece-pistachio-seller.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23949\" alt=\"A woman stands in an open air shop with shelves of pistachio products, with the port beyond. The location is the Greek island of Aegina.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/aegina-island-greece-pistachio-seller.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/aegina-island-greece-pistachio-seller-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/aegina-island-greece-pistachio-seller-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/aegina-island-greece-pistachio-seller-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A pistachio stand on the Greek island of Aegina<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92492c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92492c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in port, I stopped by a pistachio seller near the waterfront and bought two bags of nuts and other treats to bring home: pistachio butter, pistachio jam and pistachio pesto. I wandered through the pretty laneways near the port, admiring the cute tavernas and charming shops. When we set sail, soon after, I left Aegina thinking I would have loved a little more time there.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-140b21fd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"140b21fd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e9e3fdb\" data-id=\"7e9e3fdb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-188bcc6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"188bcc6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Ashley-Blake-Traverse-Journeys-Greece-.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25628\" alt=\"Ashley Blake, founder of Traverse Journeys walks up white washed steps in a narrow alley in Hydra Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Ashley-Blake-Traverse-Journeys-Greece-.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Ashley-Blake-Traverse-Journeys-Greece--300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Ashley-Blake-Traverse-Journeys-Greece--150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Ashley-Blake-Traverse-Journeys-Greece--768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Ashley-Blake-Traverse-Journeys-Greece--96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52134a5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"52134a5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Hydra Island<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14b0e417 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14b0e417\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydra was love at first sight for me. It\u2019s gorgeous and colorful, and somehow feels both glamorous and relaxed. In part that&#8217;s because there are no cars on the island, only hard-working donkeys and horses. And while it doesn&#8217;t have many beaches, and the lack of cars mean they are hard to reach, its pretty cliffside restaurants with swimming access more than make up for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I wandered among the streets of Hydra (the main town shares the name of the island) and made my way to Hydronetta, one of the island&#8217;s famous restaurants. It clings to the side of a rocky cliff and is accessed down a steep and winding set of steps. (I am at Hydronetta in the main image at the top of this story.) After enjoying the view and glass of ros\u00e9, I descended another set of steps to a little jetty where I jumped into the turquoise sea. The water was cool but refreshing and the salt made it especially buoyant. I floated happily, enjoying the incredible surroundings.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21deaea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"21deaea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-swim-jetty.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24246\" alt=\"Swim Jetty at Hydronetta in Hydra Greece, with turquoise sea cliffs beyond\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-swim-jetty.jpg 700w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-swim-jetty-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-swim-jetty-150x193.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The swim jetty at Hydronetta in Hydra, Greece<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fefaa3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fefaa3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Hydronetta <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a50db3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a50db3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The remainder of my afternoon is best described as: eat and drink, admire the view, swim \u2014 and repeat. It was heaven. After one final dip, I watched the sun sink into the turquoise sea and meandered back to the port as the sky turned pink. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I found our group at a charming taverna seated under a sweep of pink bougainvillea. I joined them as delicious local specialties appeared one after the other. It was another wonderful evening with the my fellow travelers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b5f7b24 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b5f7b24\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-79db47b\" data-id=\"79db47b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2efd9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a2efd9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-courtyard.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24251\" alt=\"Pretty courtyard with wooden door and ornate knocker, in Hydra Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-courtyard.jpg 425w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-courtyard-182x300.jpg 182w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-courtyard-150x247.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c9961c\" data-id=\"2c9961c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-307279b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"307279b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-laneway.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24250\" alt=\"Hydra Greece laneway with bougainvillea\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-laneway.jpg 425w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-laneway-182x300.jpg 182w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hydra-greece-laneway-150x247.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6117a83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6117a83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breakfast was served on the boat each morning but we had the option to explore while we remained in port. In Hydra, I got up early and wandered the quaint streets to take photos of some of the pretty courtyards. Afterward, I stopped at a small cafe and enjoyed Greece\u2019s special freddo coffee (<\/span>iced coffee made with espresso and frothed milk<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and a delicious breakfast pie made with feta encased in light crisp pastry.\u00a0 Traditional Greek feta is distinct from much of what&#8217;s available elsewhere. For it to be considered &#8220;domain of origin&#8221; it must be made with a combination of sheep and goat&#8217;s milk. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I watched the donkeys already hard at work, the clip-clop of their hooves echoing through the cobblestone laneways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3890796 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3890796\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c43ed20\" data-id=\"c43ed20\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d9c1ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8d9c1ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-sailing-saronic-greek-islands.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23970\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich sits on a catamaran during a Greek island sailing trip with Traverse Journeys. Dokos Island Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-sailing-saronic-greek-islands.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-sailing-saronic-greek-islands-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-sailing-saronic-greek-islands-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-sailing-saronic-greek-islands-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-sailing-saronic-greek-islands-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19f8e2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"19f8e2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dokos Island<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f21fb6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f21fb6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On our way to our next stop, Captain Haris cruised into a small, quiet bay at Dokos Island. The sea was a spectacular green and crystal clear. We enjoyed a swim with the water in the sheltered cove water considerably warmer than at Hydra. The calm sea was also ideal for a stand-up paddle. Having access to these special\u00a0 stops was a significant perk of Greek island hopping.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5249e77 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5249e77\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f224c6c\" data-id=\"f224c6c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd651cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd651cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/beach-club-greek-island-spetses.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23955\" alt=\"On the island of Spetses in Greece, a beach club has rows of white lounge chairs with green and white striped umbrellas\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/beach-club-greek-island-spetses.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/beach-club-greek-island-spetses-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/beach-club-greek-island-spetses-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/beach-club-greek-island-spetses-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed99d98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ed99d98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spetses Island<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d77b11c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d77b11c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only two hours from Athens by ferry, Spetses is a favorite among both Greeks and international travelers. With its Venetian-style architecture, seaside mansions and plethora of yachts, it was the most cosmopolitan of the islands we visited.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We had the afternoon in Spetses to enjoy as we wished and some of the group set out on a bike ride around the island, accompanied by Ashley. I rode my bike about a kilometer from port where I was enticed by the sight of a quaint beach and green striped umbrellas. I enjoy being active but also love relaxing with a glass of wine and a beautiful view. That day I chose the latter. With high season still a few weeks away, I was pretty much on my own at the charming beach-club restaurant. The staff were welcoming and encouraged me to linger as long as I liked.\u00a0 I took the opportunity to enjoy the time to myself. Quiet time to soak in the atmosphere is <\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">a part of solo travel that I really love.<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The upscale flavor of Spetses translated into higher prices than the other Saronic islands we visited, but the food was very good and we enjoyed another wonderful dinner at a waterfront taverna recommended by Captain Haris. I tried the local tuna known as bullet tuna, it was tender with a delicate flavor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-62efc56 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"62efc56\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7c8641a\" data-id=\"7c8641a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31567dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"31567dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Poros Island<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac94696 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac94696\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-island-greece-sailboats.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23952\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-island-greece-sailboats.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-island-greece-sailboats-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-island-greece-sailboats-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-island-greece-sailboats-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f35698d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f35698d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although Hydra was the island that most enchanted me, if I had to pick one island where I would have liked a few extra days, it was Poros, our next stop. The landscape was beautiful<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and it had a sprawling waterfront, bustling with fishing boats, ferries and other sailboats. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was lots to see and do including a charming town and many beaches dotted around the hilly island. After skipping the bike ride in Spetses, I decided to circle Poros by bike, along with one of my fellow travelers. We enjoyed stunning scenery and met a few goats on the way. Poros felt like the place where vacationing met everyday Greek life. Locals conducting business and enjoying leisurely afternoons at the local tavernas.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb91395 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bb91395\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/biking-poros-island-greece.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23938\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich with an e-bike on the Greek island of Poros, a town on a hill in the distance\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/biking-poros-island-greece.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/biking-poros-island-greece-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/biking-poros-island-greece-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/biking-poros-island-greece-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/biking-poros-island-greece-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Susan on an e-bike ride around the Greek island of Poros. <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c63292 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c63292\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our dinner in Poros was especially memorable. The staff at the Oasis Taverna created a multi-course menu for our group. We had a chance to sample a variety of local dishes, including several types of seafood. I especially enjoyed the seafood risotto and frozen limoncello for dessert.\u00a0<\/p><p>In the morning I walked along the waterfront to watch fisherman head out for the day, and wandered through the charming laneways. The bougainvillea was especially captivating and I had a lovely time taking photos and observing daily life here.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb8eec7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bb8eec7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/poros-island-greece-fishmonger.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23939\" alt=\"A fishmonger stands with a selection of fish in a market on the Greek island of Poros\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/poros-island-greece-fishmonger.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/poros-island-greece-fishmonger-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/poros-island-greece-fishmonger-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/poros-island-greece-fishmonger-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/poros-island-greece-fishmonger-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A fishmonger on the island of Poros, Greece<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30220d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"30220d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-greece-panorama.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24265\" alt=\"Panoramic view from a hilltop on an e-bike ride around Poros Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-greece-panorama.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-greece-panorama-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-greece-panorama-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/poros-greece-panorama-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A panoramic view from a hilltop on an e-bike ride around Poros, Greece<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-41153297 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"41153297\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-27fbc14f\" data-id=\"27fbc14f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20b8e8e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20b8e8e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Epidaurus &amp; Epidaurus Amphitheatre<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ef6426 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ef6426\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final stop on our Greek island sailing itinerary was Epidaurus on the mainland area of Argolid. A pretty u-shaped harbor was set against a backdrop of gorgeous green hills and a low-key waterfront with shops and tavernas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c396134 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7c396134\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-greece-port-sailboats.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23957\" alt=\"Sailboats are lined up in the port in Epidaurus Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-greece-port-sailboats.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-greece-port-sailboats-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-greece-port-sailboats-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-greece-port-sailboats-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-227b59eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"227b59eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">Here we had the chance to tour another ancient monument, the Epidaurus Amphitheatre.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">It was constructed in the late 4th century BCE and is notable for its exceptional symmetry and near-perfect acoustics. It\u2019s said that someone sitting at the very back can hear as well as someone in the front row. In ancient times, people believed that a visit to this site had healing powers; the amphitheatre is part of a larger ancient <\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek god of healing, Asclepius. Since 1955 annual summer performances have been staged here, mostly ancient dramas. Apparently it is a hot ticket.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f89d29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f89d29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-amphitheatre-greece.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23954\" alt=\"A side view of the ancient Epidaurus Amphitheater in Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-amphitheatre-greece.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-amphitheatre-greece-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-amphitheatre-greece-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/epidaurus-amphitheatre-greece-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A side view of the ancient Epidaurus Amphitheatre in Greece<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc44391 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc44391\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once more we enjoyed minimal crowds on the day we visited. After climbing the ancient stone steps to the top, I enjoyed the view out over the treetops, and next visited the small but charming <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Archaeological <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Museum of Epidaurus, located next to the amphitheatre. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It holds dozens of small artifacts excavated at the site, as well as reconstructions of ancient statues once found here.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10f7aa3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10f7aa3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was very hot on the day of our visit, so after returning to the boat I was pleased to have a chance to get back in the water. This time it was to explore an ancient site under the sea \u2014 the Sunken City of Epidaurus. These remains of an ancient Greek villa, included stretches of stone walls and huge vases, all sitting silently just two meters below sea level. It was perfect for snorkeling, with great visibility and easy access from the boat and the beach. I loved the chance to swim atop this unique monument and imagine what life was like here, more than 2000 years earlier.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-13dcf55 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"13dcf55\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7806aec\" data-id=\"7806aec\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4285f05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4285f05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Athens-street.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24021\" alt=\"Pink bougainvillea in a colorful laneway in Athens Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Athens-street.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Athens-street-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Athens-street-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Athens-street-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95aca97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"95aca97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Athens<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-191b6ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"191b6ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We returned to Athens for our final day of the sailing trip and had the chance to explore the city. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traverse Journeys supports a non-profit community partner on every trip and in Greece that partner is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthouserelief.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lighthouse Relief<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On our final afternoon, we visited Lighthouse and the staff graciously welcomed us and took some time to explain their mission. Their work provides immediate and long-term support to people experiencing displacement, especially in the Ritsona refugee camp outside Athens. Lighthouse began in a tiny fishing village on the Greek island of Lesvos in 2015. At that time, thousands of refugees were arriving every day in rubber dinghies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The island&#8217;s residents were welcoming but didn&#8217;t have the infrastructure to meet the need, so Lighthouse was created. Lighthouse&#8217;s work was tremendously inspiring and reminded me that finding ways to support large numbers of refugees is an ongoing reality for Greece.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ff0e37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6ff0e37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/plaka-athens-at-night.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24780\" alt=\"Plaka Athens at sunset, with no one around\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/plaka-athens-at-night.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/plaka-athens-at-night-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/plaka-athens-at-night-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/plaka-athens-at-night-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-adbd1c9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"adbd1c9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c37d713\" data-id=\"c37d713\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6e0c6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6e0c6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a lovely walk around the city&#8217;s historic center, Ashley hosted our farewell dinner at a special spot called the Cafe Avissinia, a family restaurant serving traditional fare made from recipes passed down through several generations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The moussaka was the best I\u2019ve ever tasted and the milk pudding served for dessert was among my favorite desserts, ever! The creaminess of the pudding was accented by a sweet rose sauce and crunchy pistachios. When I asked the charming owner about the dish, she said it was a family recipe, from the island of Crete. She didn&#8217;t say more, confirming my guess this top-secret dessert was really something special.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-243f8c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"243f8c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-sailing-greek-islands.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23937\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich sits on a sailboat in the Greek Islands with a Greek flag behind her\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-sailing-greek-islands.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-sailing-greek-islands-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-sailing-greek-islands-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-sailing-greek-islands-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/susan-heinrich-sailing-greek-islands-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e33d1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e33d1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Greek Island Hopping Life<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c55aa6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c55aa6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the things I so enjoyed about my trip sailing the Greek islands, was the time I had to relax each day while we traveled from one island to the next. I read, enjoyed the scenery and chatted with the other guests. I can&#8217;t be in the sun all day so also appreciated that there were shady places to relax on our catamaran. The stern had a lovely seating area that was covered. We could sit in the open air, but still be in the shade. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On our way to Poros we were treated to a visit by a pod of dolphins who played alongside the boat and then raced together at the bow. Thrilling!<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other perks of Greek island hopping by private charter included not dealing with ferry schedules &#8211; or ferry delays &#8211; and no packing and unpacking. Spending the week on a sailboat was so relaxing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f25551 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f25551\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-351a09a\" data-id=\"351a09a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a777e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2a777e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Poros-Greece-bougainvilleajpg.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24256\" alt=\"Bougainvillea grows in front of a white-washed building with blue windowsills, in Poros Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Poros-Greece-bougainvilleajpg.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Poros-Greece-bougainvilleajpg-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Poros-Greece-bougainvilleajpg-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Poros-Greece-bougainvilleajpg-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f655add elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f655add\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Best Time to Visit Greece<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3eddd5c elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3eddd5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are planning a trip to sail the Greek islands, or any visit to Greece for that matter, the decision when to go is almost as important as where.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My trip to Greece was in the last week of May which I thought was ideal. It was more than hot enough, as high as 32 Celsius\u00a0 (high 80\u2019s Fahrenheit). Hot enough that we ran the air conditioning in our catamaran most nights. I found the water temperature very pleasant as well. Yes, it&#8217;s cooler than in summer, but everyone in our group who swam found the water temps pleasant. The sea where we swam in Hydra was the coolest because the coast was less sheltered.\u00a0 If you love warm water but want to do a similar trip, you could consider late September, when days are pleasant and the water remains warm from summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personally, I would find summer too hot for a sailing trip in the Greek islands. It\u2019s also when Greece is the most crowded. I think mid May through mid-June or mid September through October are the sweet spots for Greece travel.<\/span><\/p><p>Find more information about the weather in Greece at the Greece Tourism website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgreece.gr\/before-travelling-to-greece\/climate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Climate in Greece<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-abe9eeb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"abe9eeb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-41688d9\" data-id=\"41688d9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bd3912 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7bd3912\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Corfu-Greece.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24025\" alt=\"The coastline of the island of Corfu, Greece\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Corfu-Greece.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Corfu-Greece-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Corfu-Greece-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Corfu-Greece-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc3b7b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fc3b7b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sailing the Greek Islands With a Group<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8087e20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8087e20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traveling with Traverse Journeys was a great experience and it reminded me of the reasons I love group tours. When someone else is managing the day-to-day logistics, confirming dinner reservations or ordering a shuttle, it allows me to be in the moment and enjoy the experience. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being with a group was also a lot of fun. I could spend time on my own when I wished and also enjoy the company of my companions. There was also always someone to dine with.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For me, a small group makes the experience really enjoyable. I prefer group tours that are less than 20 people and have found 12 or less to be ideal. There were nine of us on this sailing trip, including Haris, Joy and Ashley.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I would highly recommend the Saronic islands near Athens for your Greece Sailing adventures, and loved my trip with Traverse Journeys. I never did get seasick (in fact we had such calm seas the sailing was limited. Our trip was more of a catamaran cruise, which I was fine with.) Now that I have my sea legs, I&#8217;d love to take another Greek sailing adventure. Next time, I might add on a few extra days &#8211; I\u2019d like to return to Corfu.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e29236 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1e29236\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29616c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29616c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traverse Journeys offers trips all over the world. You can e<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">xplore their destinations<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here: <a href=\"https:\/\/traversejourneys.com\/trips\/all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Traverse Journeys upcoming trips.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0The code MG100 will give you a $100 discount on any trip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DISCLOSURE: I received a press rate from Traverse Journeys for this Greek island sailing trip.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7c4bc6a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7c4bc6a1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42853b63\" data-id=\"42853b63\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-167a6d28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"167a6d28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>More Greece &amp; Europe!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c4c49d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2c4c49d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/susan-heinrich-aphrodite-trail-lookout-cyprus.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-39940\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich sits on a rock with the Cyprus coastline and turquoise sea beyond. The famous blue lagoon can just be seen. She is wearing shorts and a tee and a baseball hat and is smiling.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/susan-heinrich-aphrodite-trail-lookout-cyprus.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/susan-heinrich-aphrodite-trail-lookout-cyprus-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/susan-heinrich-aphrodite-trail-lookout-cyprus-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/susan-heinrich-aphrodite-trail-lookout-cyprus-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Susan on a Hiking &amp; Culinary Trip to Cyprus \u2014 A Gem in the Mediterranean<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-222033c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"222033c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dreaming of a trip to Greece or other parts of Europe? <br>You might enjoy these stories...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23b47b82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"23b47b82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/athens-greece-safety\/\">Yes Athens is Safe. Tips for Your Visit<\/a><\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/athens-tour-guide-tips\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Tips from an Athens Tour Guide<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/traditional-cyprus-foods\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">A Culinary Adventure in Cyprus<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/umbria-agriturismo\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Under the Umbrian Sun<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GREECE A catamaran trip exploring Greece&#8217;s Saronic Islands As I prepared for a week of sailing the Greek Islands, I felt as though I was about to reunite with an old friend. Thirty years had passed since I&#8217;d visited Greece, but I had clear memories of the delicious food, friendly people, and striking contrast of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23969,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[308,350,386,30,84,305,306,194,310,307,309,311],"class_list":["post-23923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides","tag-adventure-travel","tag-adventures","tag-catamaran","tag-dream-trips","tag-europe","tag-greece","tag-greek-islands","tag-group-tour","tag-guided-trip","tag-sailing","tag-small-group-tour","tag-traverse-journeys"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/susan-heinrich-hydra-island-greece.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23923"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23923\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}