Cyclades vs. Ionian Greek cruises
Feb 27th, 2014, 05:57 AM
#1
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Cyclades vs. Ionian Greek cruises
Looking at small ship cruises in Greece. I've read that the Ionian islands have much better weather as far as wind is concerned and that the "meltemi" in the Cyclades can be a horror.
Any advice? Thinking of going at the end of September and found a couple of cruises that have only about 22 cabins. I'd like to be able to take swims off the boat or stop at small beaches. But also want to be immersed in the ancient history.
Looking at "Viking Yacht Cruises" and others.
Any advice? Thinking of going at the end of September and found a couple of cruises that have only about 22 cabins. I'd like to be able to take swims off the boat or stop at small beaches. But also want to be immersed in the ancient history.
Looking at "Viking Yacht Cruises" and others.
Feb 27th, 2014, 07:35 AM
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You need to put your expectations in line with what you are talking about doing. A cruise and 'immersing in ancient history' simply do not go together. A cruise is primarily about time on the boat or ship. History is found on the land.
So cruise if you want but don't expect much more than a very superficial look at any history.
So cruise if you want but don't expect much more than a very superficial look at any history.
Feb 27th, 2014, 08:21 AM
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Happy - I don't have a set picture in my mind about what the islands should look like.
dulcius - I suppose we could, after or before the cruise, take time to explore on our own for "history".
Here are two I'm considering:
http://gicc.net/ionianscruise/
and
http://www.vikings.gr/index.php?opti...=88&Itemid=135
The 2nd of these is a cruise plus land tour. We travel on our own 95% of the time. Have taken two cruises: An Alaskan cruise with the now defunct Cruise West - 45 people- and a Viking Russian River tour. But this 2nd possibility (above) sounds promising, especially if they only have about 22 people.
dulcius - I suppose we could, after or before the cruise, take time to explore on our own for "history".
Here are two I'm considering:
http://gicc.net/ionianscruise/
and
http://www.vikings.gr/index.php?opti...=88&Itemid=135
The 2nd of these is a cruise plus land tour. We travel on our own 95% of the time. Have taken two cruises: An Alaskan cruise with the now defunct Cruise West - 45 people- and a Viking Russian River tour. But this 2nd possibility (above) sounds promising, especially if they only have about 22 people.
Feb 27th, 2014, 08:48 AM
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Meltemi is a July/August wind so not a problem on September. End of September is often rainy on Ionians too, so although I think Ionians provide a more diverse experience, Cyclades make more sense this time around.
Feb 27th, 2014, 11:08 AM
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Because I doubt end of September is "take swims off the boat or stop at small beaches" time on Ionians. It'll not be so great on Cyclades either, but Ionians are definitely colder, rainier and more "closed down" then..
Feb 28th, 2014, 08:29 AM
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Define 'too hot'. What that means varies a great deal by individual. It's an expression I have heard often from Brits for example but rarely from someone from Florida.
In September, you can certainly have temperatures in the 30s Centigrade just as you can in August. You might also want to look at sailing information on the areas you are considering. For example, if you are looking at going on a true sailboat or even on the motor yacht it looks like the 15 day Vikings package uses, you need to take conditions into account.
The Cyclades for example, are not considered an easy cruising area for beginning sailors. Read here: http://www.bareboatsailingholidays.c...ailingcyclades
The smaller the boat the more it will roll/pitch/yaw depending on sea and wind conditions.
The Ionian islands are in fact easier sailing.
http://www.bareboatsailingholidays.c...tionianislands
In September, you can certainly have temperatures in the 30s Centigrade just as you can in August. You might also want to look at sailing information on the areas you are considering. For example, if you are looking at going on a true sailboat or even on the motor yacht it looks like the 15 day Vikings package uses, you need to take conditions into account.
The Cyclades for example, are not considered an easy cruising area for beginning sailors. Read here: http://www.bareboatsailingholidays.c...ailingcyclades
The smaller the boat the more it will roll/pitch/yaw depending on sea and wind conditions.
The Ionian islands are in fact easier sailing.
http://www.bareboatsailingholidays.c...tionianislands
Mar 1st, 2014, 04:41 AM
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ducius - Thanks for the links. We would not be sailing our own boat and we would not want to be on so small a boat as one that has only 3 cabins. I think we'd feel closed in and the steadiness of the ride would be in question.
By "too hot" I mean 90s F. I've heard from other people I know who have gone to Greece and cruised around the Cyclades that it was "damn hot" and they didn't feel like doing anything because of it. Low-mid 80s F is fine with me as long as humidity is not high. I'm not from Florida and would never move there because of the weather.
By "too hot" I mean 90s F. I've heard from other people I know who have gone to Greece and cruised around the Cyclades that it was "damn hot" and they didn't feel like doing anything because of it. Low-mid 80s F is fine with me as long as humidity is not high. I'm not from Florida and would never move there because of the weather.
Apr 5th, 2016, 05:09 AM
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Hi there,
In my opinion Ionian islands have better weather and much more better beaches. Although, Cyclades are fine as well. If you are thinking of going at the end of September, don't worry for the "meltemi", that happens only in July.
In my opinion Ionian islands have better weather and much more better beaches. Although, Cyclades are fine as well. If you are thinking of going at the end of September, don't worry for the "meltemi", that happens only in July.
