Arrival/Departure:
Departure: Syracuse (Catania), Sicily
Arrival: Gouvia Marina, Corfu, Greece
Discover the allure of Southern Italy and Greece on our special sailing trip from Syracuse in Sicily to Corfu in early July. From the ancient metropolis of Ortigia, across the Strait of Messina, along the mysterious Costa degli Dei Calabria, to the grand crossing of the Ionian Sea, you can expect diverse sailing stages, authentic onboard life, and Mediterranean adventures. The trip is a captivating blend of coastal sailing along one of Italy's most pristine coastlines and a challenging offshore passage to Greece.
Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Calabrian coast, experience the legendary passage through the Strait of Messina, discover the pearl of Tropea perched high on the cliffs, and be enchanted by the grand crossing of the Ionian Sea to Corfu. We sail together, learn from each other, and enjoy the freedom of the open water.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – built for life and travel on the sea. We sail with warm and welcoming people, discovering the world together and experiencing real boat life: sun, wind, saltwater, little adventures, and the feeling of truly discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and usually far from her home port on Poros. You'll become part of life on board. Things won't always go according to plan – sometimes something breaks down or the weather changes our course – but that's precisely what makes it authentic. We're also happy to show you the onboard technology, and you can participate in all activities – navigating, steering, cooking, and even the technical aspects. Not a cruise, but a true community, genuine experiences, and the magic of the sea.
Our adventure begins with a crew change in Syracuse – time for boarding, getting to know each other, and a thorough safety briefing, but also to enjoy the baroque old town island of Ortigia. From Syracuse, we sail up the east coast of Sicily with the mighty Mount Etna as a constant companion on the horizon. Through the legendary Strait of Messina – where Odysseus once navigated between Scylla and Charybdis – we head to Scilla, a picturesque fishing village right on the strait. From here, we sail along the Costa degli Dei to Tropea – Calabria's pearl, whose old town sits spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the sea. We continue up the Calabrian coast to Le Castella with its famous Aragonese castle in the sea. If the wind and weather are right, we depart from Crotone for the long crossing: around 140 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea, heading for Corfu. Night watches, starry skies, and the unique feeling of vastness and freedom make this passage a highlight of the trip. Arriving in Corfu, we enjoy the last few days amidst verdant bays, the Venetian old town, and Greek hospitality before reaching our final destination, Gouvia Marina. Just like in real sailing, the wind, the weather, and the crew together decide exactly which harbors and bays we visit and how long we stay in each.
For those collecting miles for their next sailing license: Since we'll be crossing the open sea on this trip, you'll log plenty of nautical miles. Of course, we'll issue you an official mileage certificate at the end of the trip.
WIND & CLIMATE
Early July brings high summer temperatures (air: 28–34°C, water: 24–26°C). Along the Calabrian coast, winds are generally moderate with thermal breezes in the afternoon. Currents and local jet effects are to be expected in the Strait of Messina, making sailing particularly exciting. In the Ionian Sea, the reliable northwesterly maistro sets in from mid-morning, reaching its peak in the afternoon at force 3–5 and subsiding again in the evening – ideal for enjoyable sailing. Rain is extremely rare in early July – bright blue skies and long, warm evenings are almost guaranteed.
THE YACHT
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large, and comfortable yacht. She spent the winter in the Caribbean and will cross the Atlantic in April/May.
She is a modern Hanse 575 with four double cabins and a skipper's cabin. Each cabin has its own bathroom with an electric toilet. Amenities include Wi-Fi via Starlink (optional), multimedia system, a 220V/7kW generator (230V in all cabins), a washing machine, an air freezer, and a coffee machine. She has large solar panels, radar, AIS, a watermaker, a hydraulic swim platform, and a dinghy with an outboard motor. She is exceptionally well-equipped with safety and navigation equipment, and much more – everything you need to be self-sufficient without having to call at a port. A yacht that meets the highest standards of safety, design, and comfort.
The sailing characteristics are also outstanding! The Hanse was designed by Voovo Ocean Racers and is the fastest yacht in its class. Sailing pleasure is guaranteed!
SERVICES INCLUDED
• Sailing trip with an experienced skipper
• Berth on the yacht
• Sailing instructions
• Mileage confirmation (upon request)
ADDITIONAL COSTS / ON-BOARD CASH
• Onboard expenses (port fees, provisions, diesel, final cleaning, etc.): approx. EUR 250 per week/person
• Arrival/Departure
We want to make sailing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. On GALINI, we test various products that offer a fantastic sailing experience while reducing our environmental impact. She's also on a journey to explore the world. Her home base is Poros, Greece, but she's usually out on a long voyage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to sharing a truly memorable sailing experience with you!
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