Walking and Sailing in Evia 2027 - 8 Days

Our Grecian adventure begins today at 6pm at Athens International Airport (ATH). The latest your flight can arrive is 5.30pm, allowing time to clear the airport before we meet. We'll then travel together by bus to the port of Rafina or Marathon, where we'll catch a ferry to the island of Evia. On arrival, we'll take a short taxi or minibus ride to Karystos, where our caique will be waiting for us. Before settling into our cabins, we'll meet the friendly boat crew and enjoy a welcome drink. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you have time to spare, Athens is easily accessible from the airport by a direct metro service. The airport is well signposted in English, and luggage storage facilities are also available. Our caique: MV Isidoros II Our home is the MV Isidoros II, a traditional wooden caique owned by our captain and tour leader, Thanos, and his family. Thanos has worked with us for over 20 years, so there's nobody better to give you a warm welcome aboard and introduce you to Evia. Exclusively chartered by Explore, the boat has just eight cabins. Listed as a historic caique, it is one of fewer than 80 iconic Greek-designed boats still in existence, making the opportunity to stay aboard a real treat. Built in 1962, it was originally used as a cargo ferry before being converted into a passenger cruiser in 1974. The boat has a large sundeck and a comfortable galley for meals. There's also a bar where you can purchase local wine and beer, spirits and soft drinks. A boat ladder and snorkelling equipment are available on board, making it easy to enjoy the many swimming opportunities along the way. All cabins are cosy and en-suite, with windows and large fans, and complimentary Wi-Fi is available on board. The boat has a relaxed, home-from-home feel, and you're free to move around as you please. If you'd prefer to enjoy the clear night sky and cool evening breeze, you can even choose to sleep on deck. Discovering Evia One of the largest Greek islands, Evia remains largely off the main tourist trail. In summer and at weekends, its main visitors are often Greeks escaping Athens to enjoy the waterfront tavernas and uncrowded beaches, giving the island an authentic local feel. The rugged coastline is dotted with market towns, fishing villages, secluded coves and wide sandy beaches. The sea is clear and warm, making it wonderful for swimming and snorkelling, while pine-covered hills provide a beautiful backdrop and help keep evening temperatures cooler. Please note: The order of the itinerary and inclusions may vary depending on weather and cruising conditions.

Today we'll sail towards the Petali Islands, a beautiful archipelago of seven privately owned islands in the Aegean. Once a summer retreat of the Greek royal family, the islands became a favourite hideaway for the international jet set, attracting famous visitors including opera singer Maria Callas, Hollywood actress Greta Garbo and former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Picasso and Embiricos families also have historic connections to the islands. Along the way, there'll be opportunities to swim from the boat before we continue to Panagia village, where we can enjoy a taste of traditional island life. Food and drink are an important part of our journey, and you certainly won't go hungry! Our boat crew will visit local markets to buy fresh, seasonal ingredients for breakfast and lunch on board, so the menu will vary depending on what's available. Breakfast typically includes fresh bread, cheese, ham, eggs, cereals, Greek yoghurt, honey, marmalade and fruit, accompanied by orange juice, coffee or tea. The crew also serve complimentary tea and coffee with biscuits and cake each day, usually around 11am and 5pm. Lunch is generally a freshly prepared hot meal, such as oven-baked fish, served with seasonal salads and traditional Greek appetisers, followed by a platter of fresh fruit. In the evenings, our tour leader Thanos is keen to introduce us to Greek hospitality and local cuisine at the waterfront tavernas. This is a great opportunity to try authentic dishes, from barbecued seafood and grilled meats to traditional vegetable dishes, all accompanied by the relaxed atmosphere of island life. It's a wonderful way to experience the food and flavours of Evia.

Today, we'll take a short taxi transfer to the ancient village of Argyro, where we'll have time to explore before setting off on foot towards Agios Dimitrios on the west coast. Our route follows dirt tracks and country lanes through the fertile caldera of a dormant volcano, with spectacular views across the fjord of Almyropotamos. We'll finish at Golden Beach, where there'll be time to enjoy a drink or take a refreshing swim before returning to the boat for lunch. This afternoon, we'll set sail for Nea Styra, where you'll have free time to explore the town and find somewhere to enjoy dinner. Today's walk covers approximately 5 kilometres/3.1 miles and takes around 3.5 hours, with 100 metres/328 feet of ascent and 450 metres/1,476 feet of descent. The terrain is generally easy, following dirt tracks and country lanes.

After breakfast, we'll take a short taxi transfer to Mount Kliosi, where we'll set off on foot to discover one of Evia's most fascinating ancient sites: the Dragon Houses. These remarkable prehistoric megalithic structures are built from enormous stone blocks, fitted together without mortar, and their origins remain something of a mystery. From here, we'll continue through the landscape to the deserted village of Kellia, tucked away in the valley of Styra, before making our way back to the boat in time for lunch. This afternoon, we'll set sail for Marmari, a small coastal town with a traditional fishing harbour. You'll have free time to explore, wander along the waterfront and find somewhere to enjoy dinner. Today's walk covers approximately 8 kilometres/5 miles and takes around 4 hours, with 100 metres/328 feet of ascent and 400 metres/1,312 feet of descent. The terrain is generally easy, following country lanes.

After breakfast, we'll take a short taxi transfer to Kampos, a small settlement on Evia's southern coast, where we'll set off along the coastal path towards Lycorema. Following dirt tracks and country lanes, we'll enjoy lovely views across the coastline as we make our way to Golden Sand Bar before retracing our steps to Marmari. We'll return to the boat for lunch on board before setting sail for Karystos. Situated in a sheltered bay beneath Mount Ochi, Karystos is one of southern Evia's liveliest towns, with a picturesque harbour, waterfront cafés and traditional tavernas. On arrival, we have free time to explore. You might like to wander along the seafront, browse the local shops or settle into a taverna for dinner and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this coastal town. Today's walk covers approximately 5 kilometres/3.1 miles and takes around 3.5 hours, with 100 metres/328 feet of ascent and 250 metres/820 feet of descent. The terrain is generally easy, following dirt tracks and country lanes.

After breakfast, we'll take a coach transfer to the village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ochi, where our walk begins. We'll follow one of Evia's most spectacular ancient trails through the Porfyra Gorge, descending towards the island's rugged east coast. The route winds through a dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs, lush vegetation and fragrant herbs, with wonderful views along the way. As we reach the coast, we'll find a secluded beach where we'll stop for a picnic lunch, with time to enjoy a swim and a drink by the sea. Afterwards, we'll walk uphill to meet our coach for the return journey to Karystos. Back in Karystos, you'll have free time to explore the town, stroll along the waterfront or find a traditional taverna for dinner. Today's moderate to challenging walk covers approximately 9 kilometres/5.6 miles and takes around 5 hours, with 100 metres/328 feet of ascent and 300 metres/984 feet of descent. The route follows a mixture of paved and unpaved paths, with some exposed sections and drops along the way.

After breakfast, we'll take a coach transfer to the village of Mili, where our walk begins. We'll climb towards the Roman columns on Mount Ochi, passing the remains of the ancient Imperial Roman marble quarries. This area was once an important source of Cipollino marble, a distinctive green-veined stone prized by the Romans and exported across the empire for use in grand buildings, columns and monuments. Along the way, we'll see traces of this fascinating industrial past, with remnants of the quarrying activity still visible in the mountainside. Continuing along the mountainside, we'll make our way to Castello Rosso, a 13th-century Venetian fortress perched on Montofoli Hill. Here, we'll stop for a picnic lunch and take in the impressive views across Karystos, the surrounding countryside and the Aegean Sea. From the castle, we'll descend towards Karystos, returning on foot to our hotel. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore Karystos, enjoy the waterfront or browse the local shops. As it's our final evening together, there's also the option to gather for a farewell dinner at one of the town's traditional tavernas, sharing good food and reflecting on the highlights of our week in Evia. Today's challenging walk covers approximately 9 kilometres/5.6 miles and takes around 5 hours, with 350 metres/1,148 feet of ascent and 650 metres/2,133 feet of descent. The terrain can be challenging, with sections over marble stones and country lanes.

After breakfast, we'll take a short taxi or minibus transfer (approximately 15 minutes) to Marmari port, where we'll catch the morning ferry back to the mainland. The ferry is scheduled to depart at 9.50am, arriving at Rafina at approximately 10.50am. From here, we'll transfer by private coach to Athens International Airport (approximately 45 minutes), where our tour ends. Please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 1.30pm to allow sufficient time for the transfer and airport check-in.