Good on ya Ange the
Cyclades are great and yes they are windy in the season so to make the most of it you need to plan your
passage around the meltemi. If your leaving the ionion in june you will be fair smack in it during the peak winds.
Do you mean Olympic marina outside athens? I dont know an Olympus.
We spent some time next door to olympic in Lavrio for crew changes since its handy to the
airport. I would recommend that as an option for Athens stopover though not for
winter as it gets hammerd by the northerlies. Olympic was expensive for cats and aways out of the town port so we didnt even bother getting a
haul out quote.
Depending on your timeframe you may be better off looking to winter in the dodecanese. That way you wont have to worry about beating back against the meltemi at the end of your time (unless your finishing late in the season) Completely changes the trip to a mostly downwind/ reaching
cruise of island hopping with a great
destination
We wintered in Leros last year having sailed from Preveza. There are now 4 yards there I think with plane and
ferry connections back to athens daily for flight home and I think they would all cope with the 380. Fantastic island to spend some time on too. The one I would least recommend is Leros marina especially if you need any
work done over winter
The saronic yards would be another better option with
ferry connections to athens or car hire.
Both options would be much cheaper (and better) than olympic for a cat.
One tip is dont rush through the gulf of corinth - there are some great stops along the way. Once through the
canal spend some time in the saronic before you tackle the meltemi too if you have some time.
All the cyclades and dodecanese are worth visiting so its just a question of how much time you have. Personal favourites were Paros, Little Cyclades group, Astipalia, Leros and the islands just north of there. I loved
mooring in the caldera in santorini but I wouldnt recommend the marina in peak season if you can even get in as its a long way back to an anchorage if you cant.
For the Dedecanese option
Turkey is close too for a change of culture and greek
food.