By Judy Broadbent
HOLIDAYS for the singleton need not be daunting. I have taken solo holidays for over a decade now, mainly to Spanish resorts but I felt a change was needed.
Images from the cruise. Photo: Judy Broadbent
The beauty of solo travel is doing what you want and when you want so when an opportunity to cruise around the Ionian Greek Islands arose, I did not hesitate. I loved the idea of a quieter paced holiday to remote, off the beaten track places where the tourist does not outnumber the locals.
Getting there was easy. I took a train to London, then another to Luton airport where I boarded the plane and flew to Athens where I took a taxi to the port of Piraeus. Arriving there late, due to air traffic control issues, the yacht had sailed but the Cruise CEO himself arrived to ensure all would be well. After taking a taxi to Corinth, a Zodiac tender arrived at a remote dock near the mouth of the Corinth Canal to give a wild ride across a very choppy sea to meet the yacht and finally get on-board. It was thoroughly enjoyable and the start of a weeklong adventure.
Booking details.
After an overnight sail, the first port of call was Sami, Kefalonia. A delightful port where I discovered yoghurt and honey ice cream with caramelised walnuts.
Onboard, I found four other like-minded solo travellers. The oldest was an intrepid American lady aged eighty-seven and the youngest a firefighter paramedic from New York. There was a lovely atmosphere onboard the luxurious yacht with people from all over the world meeting for the first time and I soon made friends. The yacht was the Harmony G and can access small coves where we anchored for frequent swim stops throughout the week. I indulged in my love of snorkelling and had tiny black fish swimming between my fingers which was fascinating, and I also got to kayak – something I have not done since I was a teenager. I rediscovered my love of being on the water rather than simply being in it. I swam at every opportunity as the water was the bluest of blues and so inviting.
Images from the cruise. Photo: Judy Broadbent
The cruise seemed to fly by with a different port each day. Corfu was busy as you would expect in such a tourist hot spot but navigating the island was easy. There is a hop-on-hop-off bus for 22 euros that takes you around the Island. I could not wait to visit the Mon Repos Palace as my parents had been some years earlier and said how beautiful it was. It was one of the first bus stops and I was not disappointed. The views were incredible, what a place to wake-up, seeing the sparkling mediterranean from your bedroom balcony must have been wonderful for those that lived there. In the palace I was directed to a former kitchen where Prince Phillip had been born on a table in 1921.
From Corfu we sailed for the Island of Paxos and Gaios, by far my favourite place. I loved the stillness and quiet. From stepping onto the dock, I felt at peace there with such a lovely welcome in the air. The fishermen were working on their boats, waving as if we were long-lost friends.
Images from the cruise. Photo: Judy Broadbent
Of the many lovely restaurants, it was an opportunity to indulge in my favourite Greek street food of Gyros. I knew I had found the right restaurant as it was besieged with locals, young and old alike. I was not disappointed as the Gyros was heaven and cost 3 Euros. In the main, dining was onboard and when I say dining, I mean like royalty. The food is incredible, breakfast, dinner and/or lunch were served daily by an amazing crew who cannot do enough for you.
Another overnight sail led to Ithica, again a lovely spot unspoilt by tourism and a chance to reflect on where I was. This was only a four-hour plane journey from home and a million miles from anything I was remotely familiar with. Unhurried and unrushed, it felt surreal.
Images from the cruise. Photo: Judy Broadbent
Later we called at Missolonghi the site of a dramatic siege during the Greek War of Independence and where the poet Lord Byron passed away. Gorgeous seafront restaurants offered a plethora of wonderful food.
No voyage is complete without an early morning return sail through the 6km Corinth Canal which has long since been on my bucket list and I was not disappointed. Emperor Nero started the project and over time it was abandoned due to issues with finance, geographical problems etc., but eventually it was completed and carved through sheer rock it is a triumph of engineering.Then it was onto the Island of Aegina where the stunning Temple of Aphaia beckoned. It was 95 degrees in the shade, but I would not have missed seeing that for anything. After a lunch of home-made chips, soft crusty bread, butter, and ice cream (7 Euro) it was back onboard for the short sail to the port of Piraeus to disembark.
Booking details.
It was over far too soon and I did not want it to end.
Making memories is important at any age and I am so happy I took this cruise.
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