Responsible Tourism

Sailing & Conservation trip: Giants & Dwarves

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Week 1: Corfu to Cephalonia

Day 1. Our starting point is Corfu Island, the Homeric island of Faeacus. With the traces of the Venetian era evident everywhere, the old city resembles a theatrical scenic and offers a quick "journey" to the glorious past of the Republica Serenisima. We'll meet at the fishing port of Petriti where you will be briefed on the week's activities. There will be plenty of time to settle down on the boat and get to know each other over a nice meal.

Day 2. Our first stop will be Acherontas River, the mythical gate to the World of the Dead. Fortunately our boatman does not demand coins for a macabre journey but drives us to the estuary ecosystem of Acheronta's where many animal species of both fresh and sea water live.

We will moor to the picturesque harbor of Parga, which still maintains the stately profile of the rich ship owners' city that used to have some centuries ago.

Day 3. The sun rises from the mountains of Epirus and so does our anchor with destination to the Paxoi islands complex, famous for their jade green waters.

But our voyage today is quite special: following an arch-line bearing in the depth line of up to 2,000 meters and with the aid of our hydrophone we will attempt to track down the biggest of all the Mediterranean dwellers, the sperm-whale Physeter macrocephalus. Seeking their food that is consisting almost entirely on giant squids (which are abundant thanks to the rich in nutrients waters of the region), sperm whales are common visitors in this corner of the Mediterranean.

We will spend the night in the unique in its shape port of Gaios that is actually a vast corridor between the main island and an all-green islet.

Day 4. This day is also dedicated to tracking down our Leviathan. We'll follow a similar route and spend the day monitoring our hydrophone and observing the horizon through our binoculars seeking sperm whales. Another full day sailing and observing the deep blue sea. By noon we'll arrive at the capital and main port of Lefkada island where we'll spend the night.

Day 5. We will rove in the whales region for one more day. Towards the end of our sail, we'll reach the magnificent cove of Agiofili in the southermost edge of Leukada island where we'll enjoy a barbeque on the beach.

Day 6. A short sail today between mainland Greece and Leukada, an area full of small islets, some of them deserted and others inhabited by few fishermen. This area offers hospitality to many rare species like the pigmy cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmaeus and it's the best spot to estimate the Ionian biodiversity. Our night harbor will be the beautiful bay of the deserted island of Atocos where we will share a simple and beautiful experience: stay on anchor and sleep under the starry Ionian night.

Day 7. Cephalonia, the biggest and the craziest (according to its very inhabitants!) island of the Ionian is hosting us today. The undeniable king of the rich flora of the island is the local fir species Abies cephalonica found in the dense forests of the high mountain (over 1,600m) Ainos that is characterized as a National Park. So, this is trekking time! We'll end our adventure in the picturesque fishing village of Fiscardo. Relax and taste the special local cuisine.

That will be the end of the first week of our "Giants and Dwarves" project. Please note that all the photographs and specimen that you may collect during the week will be offered to scientists to assist them in their data collection and researches.

2nd week: Cephalonia to Zakynthos

Day 1. We'll start our journey from the fishing village of Fiscardo in Cephalonia, widely known due to Captain Corelli's Mandolin film. After our briefing on the week's activities and the arrangement of provisions, you can explore the astonishing beaches or walks of the island.

Day 2. The bay of Laganas in Zakynthos Island is, without any doubt, one of the better-known places around the Mediterranean. But it's not for its breathtaking sunsets, nor its emerald waters or spectacular rocks. It's known for offering hospitality to a rather unusual visitor: the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta. Laganas beach is one of the most significant nesting areas in the Mediterranean and is consider extremely crucial for the survival of the species.

We will have the opportunity to visit the nesting areas and to learn about the efforts of Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. There is a volunteer training center where you can offer your help.
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Day 3. We sail to the small harbor of Keri that is located in south Zakynthos. Pay attention everywhere around you because this area is full of dolphins as well! Arriving in Keri we will walk among a typical insular phryganic ecosystem and we will spend the night in the hospitable bay in the mouth of the village.
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Day 4. The route from Zakynthos to Kaifa Lake is one of the best places for dolphin spotting. Herds of few members are foraging in the area and the more common species are the bottle-nosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus, the common dolphin Delphinus delphis and the striped dolphin Stenella caeruleoalba. We'll take advantage of the hydrophone in our boat in order to listen to their magical voices and track them down.

It's important to take pictures and notes of the characteristics and numbers of the dolphins we spot. Every data or picture we collect will be given to scientists to aid their research projects.
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Day 5: Our day station will be Kaifa Lake, a wetland in western Peloponnese, very popular for its natural spa and baths. In the subsaline waters of the lake many fish species find a safe refuge and even the loggerhead turtle and the green turtle Chelonia mydas are regular visitors.
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Day 6. Almost lost in the south Ionian Sea, the Strofades complex, two tiny islets waiting for the patient voyager to discover them. In the biggest one there are still ruins of an old monastery. Despite the size of the islands, their ecological significance is great: the phenomenon of gigantism, a typical insular adaptation, is observed in the small population of the Balkan wall lizard Podarcis taurica, which lives in the complex.

Day 7. After our breakfast on the boat, we'll sail back to Zakynthos towards our farewell dinner.

We're as flexible as the weather!

The above itinerary is an example of what you can experience during the second part of our "Giants & Dwarves" project. The above route may slightly change because of the weather and other factors beyond our control. Fortunately we cannot control nature! We'll do our best. Everything else is KISMET!

 

Caring for the environment

By having everyone involved in our organisation promoting and adhering to sustainable travel principles and encouraging our guests to embrace our sustainable travel principles:
By allowing space in our sailing boats for people to throw plastic bottles and other items which we take back to Athens for recycling
By using biodegradable cleaning products and avoiding at all times the dumping of chemicals or non-natural products into the sea
By ensuring that all guests are informed upon arrival that waste should never be thrown into the sea and recyclying of plastic bottles should be done in the designated place
By briefing our guests not to collect any corals or shells from the sea or beach. They are encouraged though to help us clean any garbage that they see inside the water or on the beach
By briefing our guests upon arrival on the necessity of cutting down on their use of water and electricity. There is a serious problem with water in the Greek islands and we recommend guests to use water and electricity only when and to the level that is necessary
By avoiding wasting paper in the office and using the internet as the main form of communication.

Wild Tales: Sailing & Conservation trips

By organising and designing wildlife sailing trips that increase awareness and get people involved in marine conservation.
By organising wildlife tours which combine sailing and discovering endemic species. Under the guidance of our experienced biologist, people are introduced to tens of endemic species, both from the animal and plant kingdoms which exist only in this small corner of the globe. Guests leave with a different approach towards wildlife and aware of the dangers they face and how to minimise them.
By organising visits at the two national marine parks in Greece, in Zakynthos and Alonisos, where the two most important NGOs for the protection of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta and the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus are based. Our guests are briefed on their work and how they can get involved and support them.
By watching and monitoring dolphins & other cetaceans by far away without disturbing them, adhering to the ACCOBAMS guidelines for commercial cetacean-watching activities in the Mediterranean Sea.

Supporting the local community

The traditional ways that islanders used to support themselves have become obsolete due to mass tourism and the tendency of the youth to move to large cities. Our approach aims to keep these old ways from fading out and for our guests to get introduced to the "real" island lifestyle.
By encouraging our guests to participate in the local way of life and not just be a distant observer. In our Wild Tales, people are welcome to give a helping hand to locals in their daily activities, for example, picking olives from trees or taking part in the preparation of local products.

Special projects

When our sailing boat is not chartered or being maintained, we offer the boat to scientists and organisations for their research and other environmental projects. We have already provided support to a team of biologists from the Athens University and a worker of the British Natural History Museum.
We are planning to run a series of events targeted towards the children of the remote islands of the Aegean Sea with the aim of educating and increasing awareness on environmental and conservation issues. The first one took place in the island of Iraklia in the Small Cyclades in October 2007.

 

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