Paxos one-week flotilla

Arrive to the base and get settled into your floating home for the week. If you have time explore the town of Lefkas and grab a bite at a local restaurant. Facilities here include: fuel, water, trash, laundry, and bathrooms.

The first day head NE to the town of Preveza, at the entrance to the Amvrakikos Gulf, for the night. There is a buoyed channel into Preveza that takes you carefully through the rocky shallows. The town is a lived-in working town, but it has a lovely waterfront for the evening stroll known as the ‘volta’ and a very quaint old town with lots of lovely restaurants. At the end of August there is the annual Sardine festival, with live music, wine & beer and of course grilled sardines everywhere. The flotilla will spend the night in Preveza Marina which was recently refurbished and has a very upmarket feel. The lead crew will organize a group meal in one of the restaurants in the town.

The second day includes a long scenic sail that gives you the chance to stretch your sea legs as you navigate to Paxos. This island is known as one of the must-see spots in the northern Ionian and Gaios its capital is no exception. It contains some most stunning anchorages set in stark blue waters. Your lead crew will find you a space on the bustling local town quay, where you will drop your anchor and moor stern to for the evening. It is traditional and quaint and there is medieval fort that sits on the island of Ay Nikolaos that protects the harbour. Hand made and painted pottery is sold here and the traditional Greek dancing is often danced on a fire lit floor with swords. You can enter the harbour from both north or south side of the islet Ay Nikolaos, check your depths first as it’s a little shallow to the south. On this night, there will be a gin and tonic party before you choose one of the many places for dinner. Harbour fees this evening with water & electric.

Today gives you the chance to have a more leisurely sail with a lunch stop on either Paxos before you leave or one of the several bays close to your evening destination. The main harbour is pretty and a lovely holiday spot with lots of villas & hotels around the hills. You will be anchoring stern to the dock with your anchor and dining ashore in the lovely family taverna of George & his family. There is the ruins of monastery that sits above the harbour approaches on your port hand side with a lovely bay beneath, weather dependent. There will be harbour fees this evening and electric and water available

If you are looking for something different, there is Fanari Bay to the south of Parga where you can free swing at anchor. The bay is at the end of the Acheron river, which is said to be the entrance to Hades, where the souls of the dead are thought to pass into the underworld. It’s known as the River of Styx and there are boat trips you can take up the river. There are also kayaking trips up the river for those interested in more of a challenge. It is a quiet local place, and the restaurants are well supplied with fresh caught fish. You can head to Mongonnissi, Paxos which is south of the island and offers a mix of dock space and free swinging at anchor. There are no facilities apart from one lovely taverna run by Pan & Theo at the waters edge. This is the only place in the bay so it can be quiet or lively.

On Friday head over to Parga, a spot well known for the castle that sits above the town. It was thought to be nigh on impregnable, history mentions the castle as early as 1337, and the references all give the impression its origins are Venetian. The castle splits the town of Parga to the south from the bay of Valtou to the North where the boats will moor. It is unlikely to have facilities this evening so make sure you have topped up water at your previous destination, as you will likely be free swinging at anchor or mooring bows onto the beach. It is one of the prettiest places and is surrounded by pine trees. To get into town you can walk up and over the hill past the castle or take your dinghy. Alternatively there is a very lively local kayiki ferry playing Zorba that does E5 taxi rides to the harbour. As you have been away from the crew for a day, they will organise a group meal at a lovely local taverna. Shopping is great here with local leather & lace being some of the specials.

The final trip down on your last day takes you back through the floating bridge and into Lefkas Marina. You could stop off for one last swim at one of the bays just to the North of Preveza. This night will be our final evening and the lead boat will organise either dinner or drinks ashore where prizes will be given out related to the weeks activities. On Sunday, head back to the base to return your yacht, along the way enjoy the beautiful sail and scenery.