A Passion sailing tour in the Dodecanese already year 1997

After a magic day in Rhodes, we feel the appeal from the sea. Embarking in the afternoon in the antique Mandraki harbour we are already in the ambience.
 
 

The next morning we can’t help asking the captain to drag the anchor early for a 4-hour leg to the magic island of Symi, alongside the coast of Minor Asia.
Quietly anchored in the impressive Nannou bay, surrounded by mountains we can take the full measure of yachting. You can enjoy swimming and snorkelling in warm, clear, brilliant blue waters and walk hand in hand along a white sanded beach in secluded anchorages, ones you won’t have to share with tourist hotels or cruise ship passengers. When you are ready for a change of pace, you just sail to a harbour that offers fine restaurants, handicraft shopping and nightlife …

Late in the afternoon, we feel like sailing a bit north to reach Symi harbour, the pearl of the islands by sunset. The nightlife is also quite active there! 

The heat picks up early in Symi and we decide to sail away for a wild anchorage… not too far! We have time! Right behind the island is the St Stefanos monastery bay. There are a few friendly goats, the deserted beach, diving, windsurfing, and discovery of the coves around in the dinghy.

We got used to sailing now and want more of it! Let’s sail to the big wild Tilos in one starboard tack! Sprays and active sailing for 5 hours lead us to the tiny harbour of Livadhia, in the western corner of the majestuous bay below the castle of the knights.

Vroom! On the bikes to discover the castles, the ruined villages and the monastery on top of the cliffs… Impressive!

After an exquisite lunch let’s dream now about god Volcano’s island: Nysiros.
Exciting sailing against the warm Meltemi for 3 hours, the captain allows us to participate as full crew members, and we drop the anchor in the well protected harbour off Pali.

Here is a concentration of all the Greek clichés: a Byzantine church surrounded by white houses with colored doors and windows and of course the typical tavern…

Sulphur all around, we are in an other world, the Genese. Walking on top of the thin coat of hard sulphur in the middle of the huge crater we see and hear the earth breathe. Great moments of life when we realise that we are so weak compared to mother nature.
 
 
 

Back to the yacht we decide to fix a barbecue for the night. The captain knows a secret cove in Tilos, we’ll be alone he says.

The fire lights up the cliffs a few yards behind the cockpit and gives a romantic atmosphere to this unforgettable moment. The night is bright and full of stars, nobody wants to leave the magic and we talk till late.
 
 
 
 
 

The great ride downwind in the afternoon wakes us up and we can see again the huge mountains of Rhodes when anchored in the village of Halkis. From this Island houses are settled in amphitheatre below a medieval castle, the sunset on Rhodes mountains is unforgettable.
 
 
 

Sunshine again, the faces are tanned now and we don’t want this fascinating world to end just yet. Let’s take another bit of it in the horseshoe shaped island of Alimia, only one hour’s sail from Halkis ocra village.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 The last dive in Alimia, 
 
 
 
 
 

and the last exciting ride alongside Rhodes leads us to the quay facing the Market.