When Theseus returned from Crete after slaying the Minotaur, he forgot to signal his victory by hoisting white sails. At the sight of the ship's black sails, Aegeus believed his son - not exist anymore - and, grief-stricken, drowned himself in the sea. Through this tragic sports e, he gave his name to this part of the Mediterranean.
Shrouded with legends like this, these fascinating waters have drawn seamen ever since the beginning of time. Here, we are in the realm of Thetis, mother of Achilles and goddess of this sea. It is also a world of white chapels and temples riding out the sunny breeze which blows over the hills, and of little villages reflected in blue water.
When the sun sets in the deep purple of the evening, Orion seems to be announcing another one of those unforgettable nights sung by all the poets who have passed through this land, from the ancient Greeks down to Byron and modern writers.
Sailing in Greek waters is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whether you do it aboard a motor yacht or a local caique in midsummer or during those idyllic halcyon days in mid-winter (when Zeus forbade the winds to blow during the mating season of the halcyon or kingfishers). Whether you take a trip of only a few days or a one-month cruise and whether you are an experienced yachtsman or just a beginner, you are bound to agree with all those who have done it before you: there is magic in the Aegean Sea.
By far the best way of seeing the Greek islan& and discovering their picturesque corners is to hire a yacht, big or small, driven by sail or engine, luxurious or just comfortable, expensive or fairly reasonable. There are plenty to be had in Greece.
Life aboard a private yacht is quite different from that on a vessel with a schedule. You can either hire one with a few of your own friends or else, through a travel agency, join a party of people who want to make the same trip. Of course, it is a big help if you and your shipmates share the same tastes and interests. Once aboard, you can go from island to island, stopping to swim or fish wherever you please and not at all tied down to the routes of coastal steamers. You can land at some of the world's most celebrated sites or just at fishing villages. If you don't happen to feel like going ashore one night, you can always stay on board and listen to the nostalgic chants rising in the distance from the inns of the little harbor where your boat has dropped anchor.