The first five days were in Athens including a day trip to Delphi and the Byzantine church/monastery, Osios Lukas The second week was sailing on a 40 foot catamaran through the Cyclades islands (Mykonos, Paros, Antiparos, Naxos). We ferried to Santorini for the last two days.

Prior to our trip, our primary contact, Dimitris, was exceptionally responsive to our questions and provided useful information in a timely manner. He arranged our guide for Athens and Delphi and handled all the paperwork for chartering the catamaran. He made a point of meeting us in Athens, where he answered additional questions and provided useful tips. During the cruise, he checked in by text several times to make sure all was well. Stephanie, our guide for a day in Athens and a day in Delphi, was on time, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to be with. She was attentive to our questions and was on top of all logistics.

Our catamaran captain (a different Dimitris) could not have been better. Although relatively young, he was an extremely competent sailor who was constantly making sure that all aspects of the boat were functioning properly. He was a delightful, polite companion with a quiet sense of humor and a broad knowledge of the islands. Knowing that we preferred to sail (versus powering), he suggested itineraries that made sure that we got to the places we wanted to see while giving us the best opportunities to sail. He was particularly attentive to finding harbors/coves where we would be sheltered from wind and swells. He was always available yet never imposing on our time or space. The catamaran, a Lagoon 400, was surprisingly capacious and well-thought-out. We were grateful that Personality Journeys recommended a boat that included four separate cabins, each with its own head. I am 6’5″ and had no problem with headroom. There were several places in the stern for all four of us to comfortably relax, as well as plenty of space on the bow to sunbathe, including stretching out on the netting between the two hulls. It is one of the few boats that I have sailed where all the equipment – from sailing and navigational equipment to stoves to electric toilets – all worked perfectly.