INTENSIVE OFFSHORE SAILING
LESSONS PROGRAMME (7-days)
FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2010

Seventeen 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 eighteenth 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. The night you can spend on board (if you are interested you should, please, inform us in advance).
• 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 and later on we arrive at the picturesque little harbour of Skioni (Chalkidiki).
• Sunday we sail to the island of Kyra-Panagia and arrive at Agios Petros in the afternoon. With appropriate weather conditions we could depart Saturday night for some exciting night sailing and arrive at Kyra-Panagia on Sunday morning, gaining thus an extra day in the Sporades complex.

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.

• Monday morning we set sail for Agios Dimitrios beach in Alonissos and later on we go to Steni Valla. There we could get provisions from the supermarket situated on the harbour, taste fresh fish and lobsters at the local taverns and also visit the old capital of Alonissos with its beautiful architecture and the panoramic view.
• Tuesday 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.
• Wednesday morning we sail around Skopelos and anchor and swim at the most fascinating harbours of the island -Stafylos, Agnondas, and 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.
• Thursday morning we set sail for the famous beach of «Koukounaries» and then continue to Agios Giannis at the foothills of Pilio Mountain, where we swim and have lunch. We spend the night in either Kamari (in Pilio) or Stomio (Tsagiezi), both small well-protected harbours.
• Friday morning we depart for Thessaloniki and arrive at the marina in the evening, after having a short stop in Epanomi for swimming and our last meal on board.

During the programme, on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday afternoon we will have theory lessons on board covering navigation, meteorology, rules for avoiding collision, anchoring, first aid, e.t.c.
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.
Suitcases are pretty impractical on board, so you better use sport bags. Every participant should bring: two pairs of light-coloured rubber-soled shoes (not black soles 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 blankets and pillows onboard). But please take as little as possible, because there is limited storage space on the boat.
During the summer the boats depart every Saturday from the marina of Thessaloniki and return there next Friday. The rest of the year 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