Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

There really is nothing quit like sailing; open seas, grand views, and the feeling of freedom, you thought there was nothing like it in the world…until you have sailed on a yacht. Sailing on a yacht is beyond experience. There really is a pleasure in sailing on something you could live on. When people imagine yachts they often picture huge, hulking vessels like Tiger Woods’ yacht “Privacy” or Paul Allen’s “Octopus”.

But there are a number of different types of yachts that are built to do different things. For example, a sailing yacht is going to get you there in style albeit slower, but also much more economical.

A sailing yacht is generally between seven meters and fourteen meters and price is based on length; so, budget is going to come into play before space if this is what you are after.

Other Types of Yachts – A Definition

Day
Weekender
Cruising
Racing Yachts

Day Yacht – Meant for day sailing. Typically less than 6 meters in length and often won’t have a cabin. These are primarily used for hourly rentals.
Read the rest of this entry »

As an alternative to your usual way of spending your holidays, why not consider boating, if you haven’t already? These type of vacations are different from anything you have done before. They are intimate and relaxing. Besides, if you are aboard a big comfortable yacht, you can find a dozen of things to do. Even if you have just a small boat, the kids will definitely enjoy the ride, and you will feel so much more relaxed, basking in the sun from your fold-up chair.

Top destinations in the U.S.A.

Monterey Bay

This wonderful location for boating is situated between the city of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula. Boaters from around the world come here for a relaxing experience never to be forgotten. Sandy beaches, rocky shores and amazing seascapes are the main points of interest here. Stillwater, located south of Monterey Bay, is the starting point for many a boaters. Here you can hike on the coastline and golf at Pebble Beach. However, the weather is unreliable and, as many will tell you, while setting sail the weather can change out of nowhere.

Morro Bay, CA

Have you ever been to Hearst Castle? Maybe it’s time to go. This great building was built between 1919 and 1947, by William Hearst, one of the richest publish owners. The Hearst Castle represents one of the most important historical monuments in Central California, and while boating along the Central Coast, is a wonderful place to visit. Rocky cliffs end the rough shoreline abruptly, beaches so with sand so black you could mistake it for dirt and the Pacific Coast Mountain’s peaks that rise from the water like skyscrapers from a city is something worth seeing at least once in a life time.
Read the rest of this entry »

No look at the Ionian would be complete withouth mention of Homer and the Odyssey. The Odyssey tells the storey of Odysseus and his travels and adventures throughout the Mediterranean in around 800BC. The Trojan War concluded when the Greeks sucseeded into bringing a wooden horse into the city of Troy. Greek soldiers were hidden inside and opened the city gates to the Greek army who sacked the city. Odysseus and the other Greeks could know return to their kingdoms across the sea. To say Odysseus’s journey was eventful is rather understating the matter.

On departing Troy in what is now north west Turkey he sails south through the Aegean Sea. On reaching the southern tip of Greece he is blown off course to the lotus eaters in what is thought to be Libya. The it’s on to Sicily where he runs into Cyclops. This one eyed giant eats two of the crew before they escape. More trouble in the Laestrygonians – Corsica or Sardinia. Here the fleet is attacked by giants hurling boulders and more of the crews are devoured. Theh survivors head east to Italy and the enchantress Circe. She entertains the sailors and then with a wave of her wand, turns them into swine. Odysseus is protected by the herb that the god Hermes has given him.

At some point in the journey reference is made to the pillars of Hercules. And this is supposed to be the Rock of Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in Morocco. These two mountains sit either side of the straights that are the enterance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Now he must pass the Sirens whose sweet singing lures sailors to their deaths. Odysseus plugs fills the ears of his crew with wax and then lashes himself to the mast so he cannot steer the ship onto the waiting rocks. Passing through the straits between Sicily and mainland Italy they run into Charybdis, who swallows the sea in a whirlpool, then spits it up again. And Scylla who uses each of her six hands to reach down from her cliff and pluck a sailor from the deck and then promptly, yes you guessed, eats them.
Read the rest of this entry »

The areas prevailing wind during the summer months is the infamous Meltemi blowing from the N-NW. It is first felt in June and becomes stronger through July, August and September when it can reach force 8. It dies down in October. In the spring and autumn gales are common from the N and the SE. The summer months are hot, average temperatures are 25 deg C and temperatures often reach 35 deg C.

Kea Island is very close to Athens, it is a mountainous island and small valleys, planted with fruit-trees and vines, break up its coarse beauty. This is quite holiday spot and its numerous bays and attractive villages offer quiet relaxation in contrast to the other more popular islands in the Cyclades. Hora is the capital of the island and home to the Archaeological museum which hosts a number of Cycladic period finds.

Greek mythology has it that Kea was the residence of the nymphs of the forest springs who embodied the “liquid element”. The gods envied its beauty and sent a fearsome lion to persecute the nymphs who took escaped to Karistos. Then a long period of dryness began, water levels decreased and the vegetation withered. The islanders asked for the help of Apollo’s son Aristaios. He came to the island and built a sanctuary to honour the Ikmaios Zeus, the god of rain. The gods were pacified and the draught was reduced allowing agriculture to thrive once more.

Korissia is the port of Kea and is situated at the southern end of the Limin Ay Nikolaou in the NW of the island. The houses of the port are built around a bay, on a small plain. You can moor stern or bows to the quay keeping clear of the ferry berth. As the Meltemi blows straight on to the quay ensure your anchor is holding. Vourkari further NW in the bay also has a quay that you can moor stern or bow to. There are several other possible locations to anchor in within the bay if the weather is calm. Fuel in available in Korrisa and provisions and tavernas can be found in both Korrisa and Vourkari. During the summer months the bay is more often than not crowded with yachts from nearby Athens with picturesque Vourkari being the most popular.
Read the rest of this entry »