Lefkas, Greece

If you want someone to fall madly in love with boating in just a week, take them to the Greek Ionian coast. The gentle breezes, short, easy sailing between stunning anchorages, pristine beaches and clear, turquoise water should convert anyone to cruising.

Sunsail base in Lefkas is in the D-Marin Lefkas Marina, a full-service marina with easy access to restaurants, markets, cafes, bars and other services including shower facilities and laundry.

Beautiful baroque and Venetian architecture is everywhere in a region steeped in thousands of years of history, with dozens of charming villages and towns to explore. And the food! The Ionian Islands take on fresh Greek classics with a robust Venetian flavor that is not to be missed.

Leaving Lefkada without visiting several of its wonderful seaside towns and white-sand beaches would be a mistake. The coast is dotted with some of the most charming ports in the Ionian, and you could easily spend a delightful week in Greece without ever leaving Lefkada’s waters.

Sailing out of Lefkada puts you in the middle of the Ionian Islands, with Corfu some forty miles north. To the south lie Ithaca and Kefalonia, two better-known islands in the group. Ithaca is famed as the home of Odysseus. Some of the many ruins to explore on the island could be remnants of that Greek hero’s palace. There are also colorful neoclassic villages, fantastic beaches, and cafes and restaurants all over the island. Larger Kefalonia is a short sail and one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea. Beaches, dining, underwater caves and a vibrant nightlife are a few of the charms.

Corfu should be part of any trip to the north, with its charming Old Town, ancient fort and spectacular beaches. Corfu is a top destination for excellent cuisine, and some towns have a vibrant nightlife. The lush island of Paxos is a must-visit on the way. The island is quiet, with limited ferry access and no airport, so the tavernas won’t be overrun with mainland crowds. And it’s just a short sail to Antipaxos for a visit to the vineyards and beaches.

Along the mainland coast, there are many delightful fishing towns, villages and beaches to visit. It’s impossible to cover them all in a week or two or even a cruising season.

The Ionian Sea extends well past Zakynthos, the last larger island in the range after Kefalonia. With more time, you can work your way down the Peloponnesian coast and visit Kythira and Nisos or explore the Gulf of Corinthian or the Ambracian Gulf.

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