Cruise to the Ionian Islands with the Catamaran ''Evi''

The Ionian Sea is one of the most idyllic cruising areas of the Mediterranean. Crystal clear turquoise waters, charming little villages, spectacular countryside, and a pleasant north-westerly breeze which rarely exceeds force 5, make it a sailor’s paradise! It is located on the western side of mainland Greece and it stretches all the way from Corfu in the north to Zante in the south. The Ionian Sea is one of our favorite cruising areas, so we’ll try to describe the islands for you here, although it’s difficult to put in words their real beauty!

• Central Ionian Islands: Lefkas, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos, Atokos, Arkoudi, Skorpios
• Northern Ionian Islands: Corfu, Paxi, Antipaxi
• Southern Ionian: Zante, ancient Olympia (not actually an island but on the western coast of the Peloponnese)

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

When you arrive onboard the first evening and after a welcome drink, everybody will sit around the chart and we will inform you about the area and all the possible places to visit. After discussing everybody's preferences a general itinerary will be drawn.
However, our experience has shown that during your cruise it may alter slightly, as you will get new ideas along the way! After all, a yachting holiday is all about freedom and exploration!

Α. 1 week - Central Ionian (relaxed cruise) 

• Sun       embarkation and departure for Meganisi (Vathi) 13 n.m
• Mon      Kalamos 13 n.m
• Tues     Ithaca (Vathi) 18 n.m
• Wed      Kefalonia (Sami) 16 n.m
• Thur      Kefalonia (Fiskardo) 18 n.m
• Fri          Lefkas (Sivota) 18 n.m
• Sat         Lefkas (Lefkas town) 18 n.m
• Sun        disembarkation at 9 a.m. after breakfast

B. 1 week - Central Ionian (relaxed cruise) 

• Sun       embarkation and departure for Meganisi (Vathi) 13 n.m
• Mon      Kastos 14 n.m
• Tues      Ithaca (Kioni) 12 n.m
• Wed      Kefalonia (Agia Efimia) 16 n.m
• Thur      Kefalonia (Fiskardo) 10 n.m
• Fri          Meganisi (Spartochori) 17 n.m
• Sat         Lefkas (Lefkas town) 14 n.m
• Sun        disembarkation at 9 a.m. after breakfast

C. 1 week - Central/southern Ionian (relaxed itinerary but 1 long day at sea)             

• Sun       embarkation and departure for Meganisi (Vathi) 13 n.m
• Mon      Zante (Agios Nikolaos) 48 n.m
• Tues     Kefalonia (Poros) 15 n.m
• Wed      Kefalonia (Sami or Agia Efimia) 12 n.m
• Thur      Kefalonia (Fiskardo) or Ithaca (Vathi) 14 n.m
• Fri          Lefkas (Sivota) or Meganisi (Spartochori) 15 n.m
• Sat         Lefkas (Lefkas town) 11 n.m
• Sun        disembarkation at 9 a.m. after breakfast

45' Catamaran Evi for a crewed yacht charter in Greece 

• Our sailing catamaran Evi is a very spacious and comfortable Lagoon 450 constructed by the well-known boatyard in France. When we decided to add 2 new catamarans to our fleet, it was the obvious choice as it‘s an ideal yacht for cruising at the Greek Islands.  With its construction completed in December 2019, its maiden voyage at the Greek Islands will be in the spring of 2020.
  With a total sailing area of 130 square meters, S/Cat Evi can offer fast and exciting sailing but at the same time stay level, which is important for those guests who would like to keep their comfort even under sail.
• The deck offers three different seating areas plus an area at the flybridge with sunbathing mattresses, so there is plenty of choice for everyone! Starting from the very top, there is a spacious flybridge where the steering wheel and all the controls for the sails are situated, but also a comfortable sofa with views all around.
• For those who like working on their suntan, just forward of the flybridge you will find large sunbathing mattresses
• The kids’ favorite place is, of course, the trampoline nets at the bow which become everybody’s favorite place when dolphins come to play underneath the boat. The foredeck sitting area comfortably accommodates 4 people, although at times everyone somehow manages to fit in here for a sunset cocktail!!
• The aft sitting area (also called cockpit) is really spacious with a nice sofa at the port side and a big mattress on the starboard side where you can relax during the day.  The whole area is under the shade of the hardtop and that’s where our breakfast and lunch is served, as there is a big table which can sit a group of 8.
• Catamarans have 2 sterns (the aft end of the deck) so at the port side you will find a wide swimming platform at sea level, with easy steps into the sea and equipped with a deck shower for rinsing after your swim. At the starboard side, you will find a wide and solid hydraulic Passarella (gangplank) for walking in and out of the yacht, when we are docked at the small harbors that we visit in the evenings.
• From the aft sitting area walking through a sliding door you enter the spacious salon situated on the same level and offering 360-degree views, through its large windows. There is a comfortable sofa on the starboard side with a table that will accommodate 8 guests and the chart table at the forward end on the salon with all the instruments and controls of the yacht’s various systems. And of course this is where the heart of our cruises is, our well-equipped galley (kitchen) where Alicia’s delicious dishes are created, giving our cruises their gourmet edge.
• At the port side of the salon, you can walk down a few steps to access the 2 very spacious port side cabins, each with a large double/twin bed and a comfortable bathroom with a separate shower cubicle. Similarly, at the starboard side of the salon, walking down the few steps you access the 2 starboard cabins that are identical to the port cabins in every way. The two ensuite crew cabins are situated at the bows of the catamaran, each with its own access from the foredeck.

During your cruise, you will enjoy the beauty of the Greek Islands, but you will also taste some of the nicest homemade dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine.

 Here are some of the products we use:

• vegetables and fruit: most are grown at Thanos's father's garden who sends them to us every Saturday!
• extra virgin olive oil: Alicia's handpicks the olives from our trees every November and we make our olive oil with the method of 'cold press'
• olives: Alicia's handpicks them from our olive trees every year in November and cures them during the winter
• jams and preserves: they are all made by Alicia, using the fruits from our garden
• honey: we get it from a friend who has his own beehives, high on the mountains of the Peloponnese
• liqueurs: orange liqueur and limoncello made by Alicia from our own fruit and tentoura (a cinnamon liqueur made in our hometown)

Breakfast (all the items below are served every morning buffet style)

• freshly baked bread
• homemade jams and preserves (apricot, orange, fig, plum – all based on our own home-grown fruit)
• local honey
• Greek yogurt
• variety of cereal
• milk
• cheese
• butter
• variety of fresh fruit (depends on the season: oranges, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, apples, kiwi, figs, grapes, honey melon, etc.)
• coffee
• variety of teas and herbal infusions
• fruit juices (orange, peach) 

Lunch (a variety of appetizers, mains, and salads)

Starters/Appetizers

• Tzatziki – Yogurt dip with cucumber and garlic
• Olives (homemade)
• Feta grilled with tomato, oregano, and olive oil
• Saganaki - grilled halloumi cheese
• Melitzanosalata - aubergine (eggplant) dip
• Tirokafteri - spicy cheese dip
• Hummus – chickpea puree with tahini, lemon juice, coriander, garlic, and olive oil
• Yogurt and carrot dip with walnuts
• Octopus with herbs, olive oil, and vinegar
• Bruschetta topped with tomato and feta cheese sprinkled with basil and olive oil
• Bruschetta with figs, feta, and balsamic vinegar
• Spinach roll with cream cheese and smoked salmon
• Grilled courgette (zucchini) and bacon rolls stuffed with feta cheese
• Freshly caught tuna sashimi with lemon juice, soy sauce and olive oil

Salads

• Greek salad
• Green lentil and parsley salad dressed in vinaigrette
• Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil)
• Black-eyed bean salad with parsley, lemon juice and olive oil
• Green bean salad with feta and mint
• Tabouleh - parsley salad with tomatoes and cucumbers dressed in a lemon vinaigrette
• Mixed green salad with parmesan, raisins and walnuts

Main dishes

• Moussakas - layered dish similar to lasagna, with baked aubergines, mincemeat and tomatoes topped with béchamel sauce
• Moroccan chicken with vegetables and orzo
• Frittata with zucchini (courgette), cherry tomatoes and feta cheese
• Spanish tortilla with potatoes end red onions
• Grilled chicken with mushrooms and cream
• Chicken fillet marinated in honey, soy sauce and garlic with basmati rice
• Pork or chicken with prunes and almonds served with lemon rice

Fish and seafood

• Anchovies baked in tomato sauce with garlic and parsley
• Barracuda baked with tomatoes and herbs
• Octopus stifado - baked with tomato sauce and red onion
• Mussels saganaki - baked with tomatoes and feta cheese
• Shrimp saganaki- baked with tomatoes and feta cheese
• Seafood risotto
• Steamed mussels with white wine, garlic and parsley

Vegetarian

• Kolokithokeftedes - courgette (zucchini) fritters
• Grilled peppers stuffed with feta cheese
• Green beans with tomatoes
• Courgette (zucchini) soup veloute
• Courgette (zucchini) pie
• Ratatouille - a casserole of summer vegetables
• Spinach risotto

Pasta

• Pasticcio - penne and bolognaise sauce baked under a layer of béchamel/cheese sauce)
• Baked carbonara
• Tagliatelle with meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce
• Smoked salmon and pasta salad
• Pasta with walnut pesto

Desserts

• Fresh fruit - variety depends on the season: figs, grapes, honey melon, watermelon, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums etc.
• Yogurt with honey
• Yogurt with grated fresh lemon zest and lemon juice
• Panna cotta
• Brownies with ice-cream
• Plum/fig crumble pie
• 'Spoon sweets' - homemade candied fruit