Our recommendations for a sailing trip in the Ionian

Our recommendations for a sailing trip in the Ionian

The best places to relax and unwind…

If you are in need of a holiday where you don’t come back feeling more tired than you did before you left, then a sailing holiday is definitely worth the investment. One of the best places to relax and unwind is on a sailing boat; the rhythm of the waves passing underneath, the surrounding sounds of the sea and the tranquility of the expansive blue stretching before you combine to provide the perfect environment for destressing. 

It’s not hard to see the appeal of spending the summer sailing on the Ionian Sea. You’ll discover hidden corners and gain an unique, unforgettable perspective on the Ionian islands. However, it’s vital that we are conscious about keeping our marine environment clean and healthy, and therefore that we plan our holidays out on the sea to limit our impact on the environment as much as possible.

So, to help you plan your next summer holiday, read on for our top picks for local and environmentally-conscious Corfiot products and services which may prove essential for your trip!

  1. For your sailing yacht charter: sailcorfu.com 

a.     Opting for a sailing yacht over a motorboat is a key choice in limiting your impact on the environment. When the wind is with you the weather is your engine – switch off, unfurl the canvas and enjoy the unforgettable experience of proceeding under sail. When you don’t have the wind, the sailing boat’s engine kicks in, quietly and steadily moving you along. Whether using sails or the sailing yacht’s engine, the leisurely pace you will make allows for a more relaxing trip when compared to racing between destinations. Also, importantly, by reducing your fuel usage the sailing yacht will save you money and benefit the environment by minimising your consumption of polluting petrol.

Our top pick for your sailing yacht charter is Skyros. It’s a spacious 14.5m-long sailing yacht with two double cabins with flat double beds and two double cabins with bunk beds, making it comfortable for up to 8 people. The boat is equipped with 2 stand-up paddleboards – perfect for fun or light exercise when at anchor. Moreover, the skipper, Stamatis, is incredibly experienced and has a calm assurance that will make even the most nervous traveller feel at ease.

  1. For your bags: Salty Bag 

a.     It’s generally not a good idea to take your most expensive or most fragile bag out on a boat-trip. But taking a Salty Bag means that you don’t have to compromise on style! They are made from decommissioned sails, meaning there is simply no bag better designed or equipped to withstand the effects of wind and water. Their resilience also means that your Salty Bag should last for many years after purchasing it. 

  1. For your coffee: Cafetierra Roastery in Corfu Town

a.     If you’re as addicted to coffee as we are, you’ll know how difficult it can be to find good coffee on holiday. This is even harder on aboat, where, for the most part, the only coffee shops you’ll have access to will be in tourist-filled port towns when you moor up, and their quality is far from guaranteed. To avoid this problem, we’d recommend buying cold brew from Cafetierra to last you your whole trip – and don’t forget your reusable cups! 

  1. For your cooking: Mamalos vegetables 

a.     You’ll want light meals which aren’t too time consuming in order to maximise your time relaxing out on deck or floating on the endless blue. Before you depart, head to the local market and look for Mamalos vegetables, locally grown on Corfu, to whip up delicious salads. To minimise your use of plastic, buy them loose instead of in packaging, and take them away in a reusable bag.