The Travelista

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborations
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Travel
    • Destinations by World Map
    • Hotels
    • Airlines
    • Restaurants
    • Itineraries
  • Life
    • Yorkshire
    • Style
  • Motherhood
  • Inspire Me
    • Adventure
    • Beach
    • City
    • Culture
    • Mountain
    • Tropical
  • Shop
    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

The Greek Sailing Diaries: Part 2

05/07/13 ᛫ Add a Comment

This post is Part 2 of the diary I kept during my week of sailing around the Greek Islands. If you haven’t read it already, be sure to read The Greek Sailing Diaries Part 1. As there was no Wi-Fi on the yacht, I wrote it all by hand. I’m so used to blogging on my laptop, I found it so refreshing to put pen to paper and physically write down my thoughts.  Here’s what I got up to in Part 2 of my week…

IMG_3315

Morning briefing at Paleros Yacht Club

Day 3: Paleros to Kalemos

 Today was our best day of sailing yet! We had some fantastic wind on the approach to Kalemos and managed to stay on a direct course into the harbour, reaching a whopping 8 knots! It was also today that we found the bluest bay I have ever seen for our lunch time mooring. We dropped anchor and dived into the sea. It was so warm, so blue, so clear. It was like I was looking through a instagram filter! Just bliss.

The island of Kalemos is totally charming. With a few restaurants scattered along the marina, it is very primitive and basic. That’s what I love about turning up in a different place every night. You get to see such a different side to Greece. I ordered a delicious white snapper in Georges Restaurant on the marina and afterwards indulged in a Pina Colada in a leafy cocktail bar on the sea front.

 

Alanna and I in Kalamos Marina after finding blissful showers on dry land!

Alanna and I in Kalamos Marina after finding blissful showers on dry land!

Day 4: Kalemos to Frikes

 We have now arrived in Frikes, on the well-known island of Ithaca. This is definitely my favourite place so far! Frikes is another small harbour village but with bags of character and friendly locals. After all the yachts were in harbour and a dip in the (jelly fish infested!) sea, we met our lead crew and fellow flotilla members in Fiorendinos bar for some refreshing mojitos!

Dinner followed at Remenntzos restaurant which served the best food I had all week. From the outside it looks like your average Greek tavern, but once I began to read the menu I knew this place was special! Serving modern twists on Greek and Mediterranean classics, it set itself apart from all the competing restaurants in Frikes. I ordered tasty hummus to start followed by a crispy falafel wrap for mains. The whole thing was a gastronomic experience, and the whole flotilla agreed!

 

Day 5: Frikes to Spartahori

 Last night turned into a bit of a wild night as everyone headed back to Fiorendinos. Ran by Greek-Aussies, the owners were more than keen for us to let our hair down. We returned there after dinner and were partying til the early hours! Today we had a relatively easy crossing over to our final stop of the week, Spartahori. I vaguely remembered visiting this place as a little girl and it was so great to see that it hadn’t changed a bit! The town of Spartahori is a steep 20-minute uphill climb from the marina, but so worth it. With steep cobbled streets and traditional Greek houses and stunning views over the Ionian islands, Spartahori is a little piece of heaven. Early night for me tonight!

 

The whole flotilla of yachts together on our final night in Spartahori

The whole flotilla of yachts together on our final night in Spartahori

Day 6: Spartahori to Nidri

 I can’t believe it! Today is our last sailing. We’re heading back to where it all began in Nidri and will be sleeping on the boats tonight before catching our flight back to the UK tomorrow. What a week it has been! I’ve seen so many places, eaten so many delicious things and met some great people. Thank god I wrote it all down! Today I have reflected on the beauty of being able to switch off and leave the real world behind. At the end of my week I am feeling happy, hot (!) and very relaxed. I’ve really enjoyed keeping this diary as it has reminded me that sometimes it’s good to cut off from the world of technology. I am truly fortunate to have had this experience and will be returning to the UK tomorrow a very happy Travelista!

My week on the Neilson Southern Ionian Flotilla was absolutely fantastic. Thank you to Andy, Kelly and JB for organising a brilliant week. I can’t wait to get back on board a yacht and travel more of the world in this unique and exciting way!

 Have you sailed around Greece, been on a flotilla, holidayed with Neilson? Or perhaps you have some questions about my trip? Leave a comment in the box below! I’d love to hear from you x 

Add a Comment

Related Posts

  • Rustic Charm at Masseria Montenapoleone
  • Split to Hvar: My First Time in Croatia  
  • A Weekend in Ibiza with Thomson Scene
« The Greek Sailing Diaries: Part 1
Shortlisted in The Cosmo Blog Awards 2013 »

Spark a conversation! Cancel reply

Jess is an an award-winning UK travel blogger based in North Yorkshire, providing you with inspiration for both local and global adventures.

Read More

Looking for something in particular?

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!

Latest Posts

Review: A Restorative Spa Break at Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary: Visiting 6 ports in 7 days

Family-friendly glamping in the Lake District with Feather Down Farms

Follow on Instagram

I have my friend @naomipsychotherapy to thank for I have my friend @naomipsychotherapy to thank for introducing me to wild swimming. She lives here in the Lakes and is an all-seasons pro. At first I was intrigued by her new hobby but equally I thought she was totally mad.

With 8 wild swims under my belt now I’ve definitely grown in confidence and really crave the rush of endorphins it brings. It’s such a visceral experience that pushes your body and then rewards it. There are also so many mental health benefits to wild swimming too. 

Here are Naomi’s 6 top tips if you are a beginner and want to give wild swimming a try:

1. Make sure you have a safe entry and exit point
2. Be mindful of any currents or tides. Lakes are safest as they have neither. 
3. Never swim alone. Always go with someone else.
4. Wear swim booties to protect your feet from rough ground. 
5. Remember mindfulness - try to be present in the moment, noticing what you can hear, smell, see, feel. You can’t get closer to nature than this. 
6. Make sure you have a towel and warm, dry clothing to put on immediately after swimming. 

Would you ever try wild / cold water swimming? Or are you already converted? 💬 

#wildswimming #wonderfulwildwomen #coldwaterswimming #lakeswim #lakeswimming #wearetravelgirls
I would have been getting married next month. Inst I would have been getting married next month. Instead, next month I’m re-launching my business after winning a small business grant, I’m travelling the world again and growing in confidence as a single parent. 

I thought my life was falling apart but now I realise it was falling into place, just as it should be. 💫
NYC on my mind 💫 So grateful to reach 20k on In NYC on my mind 💫 So grateful to reach 20k on Insta today. It’s not easy to grow organically on this app but I have always believed in quality over quantity and you lot are the best, most engaged and supportive community I could ever wish for. If you’re new around here, you’re very welcome, and thanks for taking an interest in my rollercoaster of a life. ♥️
If you’re planning a trip to the big apple you a If you’re planning a trip to the big apple you absolutely have to try this New York institution! Only $4 a slice 🍕 Save this reel as a reminder. 🇺🇸 

Where else can you find amazing pizza in NYC? Add your faves in the comments. 

📍 Joe’s Pizza, 7 Carmine Street, West Village NYC 

#newyorkeats #newyorkpizza #newyorkpizzaslice #joespizza #joespizzanyc #newyorkfood #newyorkfoodie
Home! 🥰 But the grid shall remain in NYC for th Home! 🥰 But the grid shall remain in NYC for the next few days to ensure all outfits have been sufficiently documented. This was one of my faves. 

(Jeans are Bershka via @asos but currently sold out. Most of my stuff is old season so I’d make a terrible fashion blogger)
Let me give you a tour of the penthouse suite at t Let me give you a tour of the penthouse suite at the @editionnewyork - where we just stayed for 5 nights.

The penthouse currently sells at an eye watering $10,084 a night, which we absolutely did not pay. 

For full disclosure, this was not a PR / press stay. My friend booked a loft suite and the penthouse upgrade was a surprise as the lovely reception staff noticed it was her birthday during our stay. We did not mention our social media accounts or my blog so this stroke of luck was 100% organic! 

Before booking the Edition NYC we saw online that the hotel regularly upgrades its guests whenever possible. We were hopeful but never ever expected they’d upgrade us to the penthouse! 

Insider tip: the generous upgrades are definitely a reason to stay at The Edition when you’re next in NYC.

What’s your favourite part of the Penthouse? 🗽 

📍 5 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC

#newyorkcity #newyorkrealestate #nycexplorers #penthousesuite #editionnewyork #luxurytraveller

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Subscribe for Travelista updates and newsletters

The Travelista on YouTube

  • 3847likes
  • 19680followers
  • 9807followers
  • 2060subscribers

Copyright © 2023 · Design by Gatto

Copyright © 2023 · The Travelista on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact