How to Pack For Your Greek Islands Sailing Vacation

Here are the most important packing tips when youpocket-sized raincoat in case of bad weather, folding
charter a yacht in Greece and go sailing around theumbrella, sunhat, baseball cap or visor, 1 outfit of
Greek Islands for your next vacation:"nice" clothing for wearing at night to Greek
1. Get the most important stuff together first - yourrestaurants or nightspots. (If the place you're going
travel documents. Make sure you've got everythingto has a dress code, this means a jacket for him and
you need. Not only will you need your passports, buta dress or skirt for her.) Note: regular shoes are not
if you're planning to bareboat it, you'll need theallowed on board - after visiting an island, you'll be
proper documentation for the Greek port authoritiesasked to take your shoes off at the gang plank, and
and your yacht charter company as well. Don't forgetyour deck shoes will be provided to change into.
your confirmation packet from Seapaths, airline6. Water gear. This is a personal preference -
tickets and any vouchers or other travel documentsbecause chances are your yacht will have snorkeling
you need.equipment onboard, or it will be provided by
Put everything in a waterproof file folder or ziplockSeapaths on request - but - the question you need
bag.to ask yourself is - do you really want to use a
2. Pack any medications - in their original bottles orsnorkel that countless strangers have used before
containers, and bring along your prescription as well.you? For some people, this is similar to being asked
Make sure to bring three days extra medication withto use someone else's toothbrush - and if that's the
you, just in case of travel delays or unexpectedsame for you - then by all means, bring or buy your
stopovers. Note: It is forbidden to bring medicationsown - because snorkeling will be one of those
into Greece which contain codeine - an ingredientunforgettable experiences from your vacation that's
often found in painkillers.a "don't miss" for you.
Since that medication could be confiscated, either ask7. Bring an empty extra foldable bag with you - there
your doctor for a codeine-free pain medication orare so many treasures to be found in Greece - bring
pick something up at one of the many pharmaciesthe empty bag so you've got a way to take home
when you get to Greece. And although your yachtthe things you buy during your trips to the Greek
will have a regulation first aid kit onboard, it's a goodIslands.
idea to pack your own "emergency first aid" kit. You'll8. When choosing your sailing vessel, ask your
want to bring your own antiseptic/antibacterial creamSeapaths Customer Care Advocate about the
or lotion, Band-Aids, pain relievers, seasicknessavailability of electrical outlets - for grooming aids
remedies, anti-diarrhea medication, bug spray orsuch as electric razors, curling irons and hair dryers
lotion, sunburn cream, sunblock (at least SPF-15),and for recharging your digital camera. In the case of
tweezers and throat lozengers.your cameras or video recorders, make sure to bring
3. Just remember that new travel regulations restrictat least one extra battery and memory card, so you
the size of liquids - and in some cases they can't bedon't miss the opportunity of recording your vacation
put in carry-on luggage. Also - the liquids that arearound the Greek Islands. (Think how much funyou'll
allowed must be carried separately through customshave sharing your photos and camcorder movies with
in a clear plastic bag. So to save time andeveryone back home!) Bring disposable (waterproof)
confiscation, pack it that way at home. And leavecameras for the kids, or to snap pictures in places
the full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioners, gelyour regular camera can't go.
and lotions at home. If you've got questions about9.Cash, Credit or Traveler's Checks? Although you will
the regulations, or what's allowed and what's not,find ATMs on most of the islands (and the main
contact the airport, your airlines or your travel agentports will also have banks), not all restaurants, cafes
before you leave home.and gift shops accept credit cards. Since checks are
4. Don't use hard-sided suitcases. (Storage space is atusually only accepted on Greek banks (with rare
a premium onboard your yacht - so use framelessexceptions) you'll want to ask each merchant if they
backpacks or sturdy duffle bags to pack for youraccept traveler's checks before making your
Greek Island sailing vacation.purchase.
They can become your carry-on luggage on theOften the best advice is to simply get cash at an
plane (so you don't have to worry about lostATM before doing any shopping for provisions or
luggage) and you can fold them up and stow themsouvenirs.
away easily onboard your yacht.10. Ziplock bags in assorted sizes (for dirty laundry,
5. Most people overpack for a sailing vacation. Sincewet swimming suits, odds and ends, etc...) Also make
you're spending the majority of your time onboardsure you've got waterproof bags for your camera
your chartered yacht, remember that you won'tgear.
really need a lot of clothing.Time and again the one thing people say when
Here's a typical list of what to bring for a 7-daythey're writing to thank us for the wonderful time
voyage around the Greekthey had on their sailing vacation around the Greek
Islands: 3 or 4 swimming suits, 1 towel per person, 1Islands - is that they wish they'd packed less. Don't
cover-up, 3 or 4 T-Shirts and pairs of shorts,make their mistake - use this checklist to make sure
sunglasses, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of tennis shoes orthat you bring what you need, but leave everything
boat shoes (the kind that can get wet and won'telse at home! That way you too will have a
scuff the boat's deck), underwear for the week,wonderful time on your Greek Island sailing vacation!
pajamas or night clothes, sweater or light jacket,