Greek Islands Adventure Vacation
Sea Kayaking in the Mediterranean

When: The most beautiful months for summer vacationing in Greece are June and September when the humidity is low and the day time temperatures are moderate. The sea is warm and nights are cool.
Our trip dates for 2011

• September 1 - 8
  

What: Greek Islands Sea Kayaking and Multi-sport Adventure Vacation - eight days/seven nights - including sea kayaking, mountain biking, walking, and snorkeling; Greek cooking and language lessons and island cultural tours are included, too. Enjoy seven nights lodging, seven breakfasts, five group gourmet dinners, welcome cocktail party and special entertainment nearly every evening.

Where: This Cutter Aquatics trip is based on Poros Island, in the Saronic Gulf, two hours by ferry from Athens. View photos from our previous trips.

Who: This exclusive custom vacation is limited to twelve participants -- a group of perfect size for fun and adventure. All levels of kayakers are welcome -- from complete novices to seasoned experts. We have orientation sessions to help beginners get comfortable in a boat and practice skills before joining longer kayaking excursions. All of the kayaking trips vary in length, distance and destinations and are interspersed with days of other tours and adventures. Everyone is offered lots of activity choices. This is like your perfect summer camp! You can do everything or you may opt out of any activity to read on the beach, shop, explore on your own or just take a nap under an umbrella! Family groups are welcome. Parents are expected to supervise and accompany younger children on the activities. Solo kayaking age is 12 years old and above.

Cost: Just $1759 per adult if paid by cash or check; add $51 each if paying by credit card. Accommodations, on both trips, are private two bedroom apartments that can be shared by two singles, one couple, one family or up to four friends. Airfare is not included. See complete list of inclusions at the end of this trip description page.

How: Deposit $400 per person to reserve your place. (This deposit covers our advance costs and is NOT refundable.) Arrange your own transportation to Athens, Greece (airport code: ATH). You may wish to spend a few days on your own in Athens or visit another European destination before or after our sea kayaking adventure trip. You will receive a complete packet of trip information which includes all trip information to help you learn what to expect, how to prepare, and what to take with you. It also includes travel tips if you have not traveled internationally before. Full payment is due by July 15, 2011. This timing for the trip balance helps us to get sea kayaking permits from the Greek authorities before your arrival.

Join us for a unique and fantastic trip to Greece. The Greek Islands are one of the best locations in Europe for sea kayaking. Rising majestically from the Saronic Gulf, these islands provide spectacular scenery and protection from wind and waves. In the northern Mediterranean Sea there is very little tidal change and the water is turquoise blue, crystal clear and delightfully warm. It is a perfect paddling destination. The people are friendly, English is understood and the food is fabulous. In an area which is also rich in culture and history what more can we ask for.

This custom adventure vacation - created exclusively for you by Cutter Aquatics - is limited to 12 people. It is designed to provide a true Greek experience. In addition to sea kayaking and snorkeling, bike rides and hikes we have arranged opportunities for Greek cooking -- you'll have hands-on meal preparation experience in a Greek kitchen -- and fun Greek language sessions. We will offer a town walking tour, visit the archeological museum and enjoy a guided tour of a local history museum. A local guide will take us by ferry, to historical sights on a neighboring island, too. Of course, there is also time to relax on the beach, swim in the sea or pool, shop, explore town and try local restaurants. Click here to view the photos from our very first trip in 2007.

We will stay 7 nights and 8 days at the Odyssey apartments at Askeli Bay on the island of Poros. The Odyssey provides modern, comfortable accommodations in two level air-conditioned apartments with double and twin beds. Each apartment has two private baths with showers. You will enjoy a full breakfast every morning. Most evenings will include gourmet dinners with wine in the adjacent Bistro. One night we will eat out on our own and one night we will enjoy a dinner party with wine on the beach -- complete with stories of ancient Greece. From the Odyssey you can walk just a few yards to the beach, up the hill to a gym or grocer or around the corner to a private swimming pool. If you must bring your computer on vacation the Odyssey has free wireless internet access; but remember this is GREECE, enjoy it!

Our hostess, who owns and operates the Odyssey Centre Apartments and Bistro, is Katerina Sakelliou. She was born on Poros and is a renowned Greek chef. She will teach us about Greek language and Greek cooking. Both, she promises, are easy and fun - especially when accompanied by a locally brewed beer!

Our sea kayaking guide is Brian Gibbons, a British Canoe Union sea kayaking coach from Scotland. We first paddled with him in 2006 and have been very impressed with his skills, knowledge and friendliness. He certainly meets our Cutter Aquatics standards for safety and care on coastal paddling trips. Brian plans our excursions to a wide variety of destinations. We can paddle around Poros, in and out of little coves. There are lots of secluded beaches to explore. We can paddle across the channel to the peninsula of Methana; across the bays to the Peloponnese mainland; to great snorkeling spots and rocky uninhabited islands with fascinating geology. We will picnic, enjoy frequent swim breaks, explore quaint villages and stop to buy ice cream! You will want to bring your camera, but you don't have to travel with your own paddling gear. Brian provides kayaks, paddles, spray skirts and life jackets; masks and snorkels are included, too.

This holiday is filled with adventures, but you choose your daily activities. You can enjoy the flexibility to opt out of some scheduled activities. Perhaps you only want to read on the beach, shop, tour more cultural/archeological sites or just enjoy a cool beer under an umbrella. Though we always try to be flexible, here is an example of our adventure plan.

Day One
If you are just ariving in Athens we will arrange for your transport from the airport and escort you to the port of Piraeus. If you have arrived in Athens a day or more early you may have visited the Acropolis this morning. Take a short ride on the modern Metro and meet us in Piraeus -- we provide you with the simple directions. Together we will board the Hellenic Seaways ferry for a beautiful tour across the Saronic Gulf to Poros Island. A mini bus meets us at the ferry for the 5 minute ride to Askeli. We will settle into our rooms at the Odyssey apartments, relax on the beach or explore the seaside hamlet. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome orientation get-together with Greek metzes (small plate appetizers) and local wine.

Day Two
If you are an early riser take a stroll on the beach. Greeks enjoy late evenings so you may have the beach all to yourself. Coffee is offered on our patio at 8 AM and full breakfast service begins at 8:45. Our island orientation begins with a guided walk through Poros Town and to the local museums. After lunch and again before dinner two sea kayaking orientations are offered. Perhaps you will take time to explore the neighborhood on your own and do a little shopping. You are always welcome to purchase your own drinks or snacks to keep in your room's refigerator. Then, as the sun sets bring your own beer to garden patio or purchase a happy hour drink from the bistro. We will eat dinner in the Bistro about 8:30 or 9:00 PM.

Day Three
Today try a walk to the old monastery or perhaps we'll plan a sunrise paddle. After breakfast mountain bikers will head off for an island tour, passing Russian Bay and up to the Sanctuary of Poseidon, then down winding trails for a swim in the sea. A group of sea kayakers will head off to Daskalio. This miniture island has a tiny church, a sunny beach and nice snorkeling. It is a good picnic spot. You can order a packed lunch from the Bistro on any day. In the late afternoon half our group joins Katerina in the kitchen to learn about Greek cooking. Wine is included while cooking! For dinner we will all enjoy the fruits of the cooks' labors. (Evening party plans could develop!)

Day Four
Ferry trip to Hydra Island -- a unique place that does not allow cars or bicycles. If you can't get anywhere fast you may learn to slow down and enjoy life Greek-style. On Hydra donkeys are the only delivery trucks! Katerina will join us to share the rich history of the people and the island's development. You must not forget your camera; Hydra is incredibly picturesque. Choose a waterfront or hilltop cafe to enjoy lunch. Museums, hikes and swimmer are available, but the jewelry and craft stores should not be missed. Click here for more information on Hydra. After returning to Poros tonight dinner is on your own. There are lots of restaurants and classic waterfront tavernas to choose from. Wander home in the moonlight at your leisure.

Day Five
Today, a group of sea kayakers may navigate across Askeli Bay and along the Peloponnese coast to the secluded snorkeling beach at Alikis point. From here you can walk to scenic vistas of the Mediterranean or scramble over coastal boulders. Blue waves crash through holes carved in rocks. On the way home you may paddle to the island of Bourtzi with ruins of an old fort. Some folks may want to participate in optional island activites. Right down on our little beach water skiing and parasailing is available. Across the street from the apartments you can rent a four-wheelers. (An international drivers license is required to rent motor scooters. Get this in the US before leaving home.) Tonight we will have wine and dinner on the beach and share stories from Greek history and our own heritages.

Day Six
Our sea kayaking trips are always planned with the daily weather conditions in mind and the skills and stamina of the paddlers in our group. Today paddlers may head to Modi Island off the eastern point of Poros. This island is unihabited. There are no beaches for landing, but it is amazing to circumnavigate. Spectacular rocks tower out of the ocean. It is a mystery how mountain goats got there, let alone survive. Look for them amid the sparse vegetation. In the late afternoon a group of cyclists can ride into Poros Town and put their bikes on the small ferry to Galatas. It is great fun to bike along the mainland and look back to Poros Island. Check your orientations; how well have you learned about our island? Ride over to Katerina's family farm. You'll see olive trees and oranges ready to pick. Then head home for dinner; half our group will cook a Greek feast for us tonight. If you are not too tired join card games on the patio after dinner. The fun can be wild!

Day Seven
A full day sea kayaking trip can be enjoyed again today if you feel up to it. The destination may be to the Methana peninsula which is entirely of volcanic origin. It contains over 30 volcanic eruption centers but don't worry, it last errupted in 230 BC. Today the town of Metana is know for hot baths, fishing and tourism. There will be other activity options but perhaps today you want to go shopping or read a book. Stop by the local history museum if you haven't visted yet; then relax by the pool. You will want to have plenty of energy left to enjoy our group dinner with wine at the Bistro tonight. It includes music Greek dancing and special local guests. This is not to be missed!

Day Eight
After breakfast it is time to say good-bye to Katerina, Brian and our Odyssey home on Poros. The ferry takes us back to Athens. There is still some time to catch historical sites in the city if you have an evening flight; or we will help you get directly to the airport. Some in our group may stay. No one wants to leave Greece.

The cost of this eight day trip includes:

- All equipment and certified instruction for guided sea kayaking
- Multiple half day and full day sea kayaking excursions
- Two days of bicycle rental with two guided tours
- Snorkeling (masks and snorkels provided)
- Archeological and local history museum visits
- Guided excursion by ferry to Hydra Island
- Greek cooking lesson
- Greek culture and language sessions
- Welcome reception with metzes and wine
- Seven nights accommodations in private apartments
- Seven full breakfasts
- Three evening entertainment suprises
- Five group gourmet dinners with wine
- Airport bus transfer and round trip ferry transportation between the port of Piraeus and Poros Island
- Taxes and gratuities

Register on our Schedule Page and pay $400 deposit to hold your place. This deposit is not refundable. It allows us to secure exclusive use of our private accommodations and reserve our kayaks in Greece.

Balance due by July 15, 2011 for September trip.

The full price of this trip is $1810 per person. If you pay by cash or check the trip fee is $1759. Your $400 deposit can be paid on line by credit card without incurring any additional fees.

If you pre-arrange a group of three or four friends who agree to share a two-level, two-bath apartment you will receive an $80 per adult discount off your final payment. Each child (under 17) sharing a room with two adults receives additional discounts. Contact us to make group or family arrangements.

Our trip does not include your airfare as you may wish to combine this outdoor adventure with a cultural visit to Athens or other European destinations.

Our group will travel to Poros Island on the 1:00 PM ferry from Piraeus on the first day of our trip. If you plan to arrive in Athens by air on the first day of the trip, you should land by 10:30 AM. Allow at least two and half hours to clear customs, pick up your luggage and travel to the ferry. We will provide transporation from the airport to Piraeus at approximately 11:30 AM. If you arrive in Athens before the first day of our trip will will provide you with simple, precise instructions for traveling on your own to Piraeus. On departure day don't schedule a flight out of Athens before 12:30 PM. You will need plenty of time to ride the ferry from Poros to Piraeus and transfer to the Athens airport.

We do not include accommodations or special arrangements for delayed flights and luggage or other circumstances beyond our control. However, every effort will be made to help you work through these glitches so the fun is not delayed for too long.