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Get your Greek on: Cruising around Evia

Is this Greek Island Cruise our most relaxing trip yet? We caught up with Yasmin, who told us all about her cruise around the Greek island of Evia, from hidden coves to perfect reading spots.
Written by Aimee White, who interviewed Yasmin (Customer Service Consultant)
Published: 21 October 2024
 

Embrace the best of Greek island life on our eight-day Greek Island Cruise trip. Spend a week onboard our historic caique and explore the tranquil coves and harbours of Evia, the second-largest island in Greece

We caught up with Yasmin, who recently joined our Greek Island tour. From sunbathing on deck and tucking into delicious local cuisine to unwinding in promenade tavernas, read on to discover her take on this idyllic Mediterranean getaway:

Describe this trip in one word?

Relaxing. You don't have to think about a thing! Everything is organised for you, so all you need to decide is whether you want to hit the beach, dive into the water for a swim, visit a local restaurant... or simply sit back, read a book and mingle with your group.
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How did you find your tour leader?

Our tour leader was Thanos. He was so friendly and funny, and shared stories about previous passengers - including celebrities! Most of the time, we went for group dinners, and Thanos helped with translating the menu. He made a lot of recommendations on what was best to eat, and ordered starters for us because he wanted us to try everything. Having a thoughtful tour leader like Thanos added a special touch to the trip.

What were your fellow Explorers like?

Our small group tour included a mixture of ages and travel sizes. There was one family, a few solo travellers and couples, with ages ranging from those in their 30s to late 70s. At around 3pm each day, we had time to do our own thing - some would go to the beach, others would stick together, but the great thing was it's entirely up to you. Plus, when you're on the boat, you spend most of your time together; either inside in the galley or up on the top deck. I appreciated the balance of organised activities and independent time.

What's the food and drink like in Greece?

Greek cuisine uses fresh ingredients and traditional flavours - popular dishes include souvlaki, moussaka and meze. There's seafood in abundance, too, especially on this trip - we tried grilled octopus, calamari and more! We enjoyed a lot of fish lunches and local dishes onboard, all cooked by our dedicated chef.

We couldn't believe what he brought out every single day - it was all so nice! We also visited a few restaurants, and the goat dishes were surprisingly one of the foods I enjoyed the most.

How did you find the pace of this trip?

The trip pace is described as Relaxed, which is certainly accurate! We had breakfast on board, but as we were always docked overnight, we also had the option to go for a morning swim at the beach, or get up early and explore the harbour you were in each day. We'd usually leave around 10am and dock around 3pm, so there was an even mix of being both on and off the caique.

What was your trip highlight?

We docked at St Georges Bay and had lunch there - it was just the most beautiful, secluded spot. Except for one other boat, we had the place to ourselves. We swam in the crystal-clear waters and admired the endless trees ahead of us.

What's the accommodation like on this trip?

The bulk of this trip is spent onboard the M/S Isidoros II, a traditional wooden motorised caique. It's a family-owned vessel with a capacity of 19, including the crew and our tour leader. There's a large sundeck on the bow, space to sunbathe on the top deck and shady spots under the canopy, while inside there's an airy galley and dining room.

We slept in two double cabins on the main deck, and there's also six twin cabins on the lower deck - all are en suite with a shower, sink and toilet. We immediately felt at home!
Take me to Yasmin's trip

Yasmin's top 5 tips for our Greek Island Cruise:

1. Go swimming
The boat ladder provides easy access to the crystal-clear waters, and snorkelling gear is provided if you want to delve underwater, too.

2. Relax!
Sit back and make the most of this beautiful boat - it's your home for the week, after all - whether you sip a drink on the top deck and chat with your fellow Explorers or gaze out at the beautiful views ahead.

3. Bring a water bottle
Bring a reusable water bottle with you so you can stay fully hydrated. Buy our Explore Water-to-Go reusable filtration bottle here.

4. Bring a cover up
As you're on the boat for most of the day, you don't want to be fully dressed, so packing something like a cover up is a handy transition for meals and going ashore.

5. Try the local food
You'll be amazed by the variety of food you'll try on this trip - both onboard, where it's cooked by your amazing chef, or at local restaurants on land.
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Don't just travel, Explore!

Dreaming of a Greek getaway? We don't blame you. Between the balmy waters and fresh cuisine, there's plenty more to discover. Whether you've already embarked on a small group tour or it's your first time travelling with Explore, we've got a tour to suit you.
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