INTENSIVE OFFSHORE SAILING LESSONS PROGRAMME (7-days)
SUMMER 2012

Nineteen years ago, our offshore sailing school “Macedonian-Thrace” organized for the first time in Greece a very successful combination of intensive sailing lessons (also for absolute beginners) and vacation. This is the twentieth year in a row that this weekly programme is being organized, giving you the chance to discover the numerous beauties of the Greek islands.
While learning the fascinating art of sailing you will swim in crystal clear water, visit picturesque villages, discover secluded beaches and harbours that can only be reached by boat, enjoy the famous Greek hospitality and after seven days you will get the captain’s certificate (provided you pass the test.....) authorized by the Ministry of Sports and Education and the Ministry of Mercantile Marine.
The boats depart every Saturday morning at 8:00 from the marina of Thessaloniki and return there the following Friday night.
The programme is as follows:

• Friday, we gather at 18:00 at our sailing school’s office where you meet your sailing instructor and get acquainted with the rest of the group. You all together organize and buy the shopping-list regarding food and provisions.

• Saturday we depart at 8.00 a.m. from the marina. In the afternoon we stop for swimming, lunch and relaxation at Sani or Posidi, nice beaches on the first peninsular of Chalkidiki. Saturday night we depart for some exciting night sailing to the island of Kyra-Panagia (N. Sporades) and arrive at Agios Petros (the South harbour of Kyra-Panagia) in the morning. In this way we experience the night sailing and gain one extra day in the Sporades Complex. If the weather conditions are inappropriate, Saturday night we sail to the picturesque little harbour of Skioni (Chalkidiki) and depart for Kyra-Panagia in the morning. The uninhabited island Kyra-Panagia belongs to the Sporades complex, with pristine clean sea, it is mountainous and full of beautiful cliffs, ideal for climbing and exploring.

• Sunday afternoon we sail to the iSteni Valla on Alonissos island. There we could get provisions from the supermarket situated on the harbour, taste fresh fish, lobsters and traditional Greek cuisine at the local taverns and also visit the old capital of Alonissos with its beautiful architecture and the panoramic view.

• Monday morning we head for Skopelos. On our way there we anchor in one of the beautiful bays of Peristera for swimming and arrive in the afternoon at the picturesque harbour of Skopelos. There we could taste the local specialties (Skopelos’ cheese pie), have fun at the local bars and clubs and visit the numerous little churches. Even a simple stroll through the narrow streets of Skopelos is a memorable experience.

• Tuesday morning we sail around Skopelos and anchor and swim at the most fascinating harbours of the island –depending on the weather conditions either Stafylos, or Agnondas or Panormos-. Later on we set sail for the cosmopolitan island of Skiathos. Here it is worth visiting the house of the famous writer Papadiamantis. Skiathos, also known as the «small Mykonos», has many luxurious shops and an exciting nightlife with an international flavor in numerous bars and clubs.

• Wednesday early in the morning we set sail, depending on the weather, either for the famous beach of «Koukounaries» or for the renowned pebble-beach “Lalaria” and then continue to Agios Giannis at the foothills of Pilio Mountain, where we swim and have lunch. We spend the night in Kamari (Pilio), a small well-protected harbour.

• Thursday morning we depart for Stomio (Tsagietzi) and on our way we stop at Agiokambos beach for swimming. We arrive at Stomio at noon time and there we can enjoy fresh seafood in the little tavern close to the harbour. At night we set sail for the wreck of Epanomi.

• Friday morning we swim and relax at the wreck of Epanomi and then depart for Thessaloniki and arrive at the marina in the afternoon. At the Marina, with our captain’s help and instructions we clean and tidy-up the boat.

The theoretical lessons take place on Sunday morning at Kyra-Panagia, Sunday afternoon and Monday morning at Steni Valla of Alonissos, Tuesday afternoon on Skiathos, Wednesday afternoon at Kamari (Pilio), Thursday afternoon at Stomio and Friday morning at Epanomi.
The price of the above programme is 670,00 Euro per person and includes: accommodation on board, fuel and water for the boat, sailing instructor, sailing book, full instructions, exams and a captain’s certificate. Don’t forget to bring two colour photos for your certificate. In order to register, a 50% payment in advance is required (335 €) while the rest 50% (335 €) should be paid –the latest- one day prior to departure.
Suitcases are pretty impractical on board, so you better use sport bags (please without wheels). Every participant should bring: two pairs of light-coloured rubber-soled shoes (not black because they leave marks all over the boat) and please no slippers or sandals, warm clothes for night sailing and in case of a bad weather, a jacket (oilskin), sun protection cream (high SPF), swim suits, shorts, lots of T-shirts, towels, sheets, pillowcases and a sleeping-bag (there are pillows onboard). But please take as little as possible, because there is limited storage space on the boat.
In July and August the boats depart every Saturday from the marina of Thessaloniki and return there next Friday. The rest of the months boats may depart as long as there is a group of minimum 4 people.
For further information and reservations please call: +302310-427.098, +302310-429777 from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 (Hellas time) on weekdays and +306944-439.514 on weekends. Fax: +302310-429.770, e-mail: mse@sail.gr   website: www.sail.gr