Janet’s Journey – From the Sporades to the Ionian Islands
Every so often, one of our sailors captures the essence of a Sailing Holidays adventure so perfectly that we can’t help but share it.
This autumn, Janet and Peter set sail from the Sporades Islands back to the Ionian — through rain, rainbows, bridges and beautiful sunsets — and documented it all along the way.
We can’t thank Janet enough for sharing her incredible journey. We know how hard it is to capture such consistent, heartfelt content while living the adventure itself. So, here it is — Janet’s Journey, in her own words.
You can explore a version of the delivery flotilla that Janet and Peter did by clicking here and exploring our Sporades Corinth Canal Delivery Flotilla.
Janet and her fellow flotilla crew
Day 1 – Friday, 26 September: Heathrow to Orei, Evia
Arrival day. Hoppabus, flight, coach, ferry, coach — and finally, Orei, Evia.
The gin made it this time 🙌.
Unpacked, Yorkshire flag up, deck light on, and out to eat with Debbie, Juliette and Cathy.
A lovely welcome from Rob, Izzy and Harley on Lead Boat Dessa — great to be sailing with them again.
Most of the restaurants are closed for the season now, but we found one still open a few doors down the front.
Heidi (who owns Sailing Holidays with Barrie) sent me this little fella (a small cuddly kiwi) who’ll be joining us for the trip. We’ve named him Aeolus, the Greek God of Wind and Air.
Our boat this time is Katsiki — a familiar friend.
Briefings done, no paper down the loo 🤣, sails up out of Orei and round the headland to Loutra.
We swung free just outside Loutra centre.
Dinner on board, Women’s Rugby Union World Cup on the tablet — fabulous game, well done England 🏴.
Briefing in Orei
Day 2 – Saturday, 27 September: Orei to Chalkis
VHF morning briefing and off we go. Some saw dolphins — not us this time!
Our first game of Canasta in Seaside Tales bar in Chalkis:
Peter – 0 : Janet – 1
A lively evening, card games and dinner next door with the crew of Kanaris (Debbie, Juliette, and Cathy).
By 9.30 pm we were all back aboard ready for the Chalkis Old Bridge opening.
It’s a unique bridge — it splits in the middle, drops down, and retracts under the road.
Dessa led us through just before 11 pm. Anchored up in the bay beyond.
Grey skies, pouring rain… and that’s just Peter 😅.
Rookie moment when I got the winch control cord caught around the chain — quickly fixed by Harley, our hero engineer.
Moments like that remind me why flotilla sailing is brilliant. Someone’s always there when you need a hand.
G&Ts, punch party, drone shots, and dinner with our usual crew — another day done.
Drone shots at anchor
Day 5 – Tuesday, 30 September: Karavos to Olympic Marina, Lavrion
A long, calm leg today with the sun back out 🙌.
Gentle sailing, breakfast under way, tracking planes leaving Athens (“not much to do down this channel!”).
Evening G&Ts, showers, then a taxi into Lavrion for dinner at To Steki, a favourite from years back.
Getting a taxi home was another story — but a lovely sunset made up for it.
Day 6 – Wednesday, 1 October: Olympic Marina to Poros
Refuelling first thing — Peter clock-watching and on the VHF at 08:00 sharp.
Past the Temple of Poseidon and across to Poros. Storms brewing, so a good place to be.
No wind, motored all the way but with the foresail up “to show willing”.
We were first to arrive — no space anywhere! Snuck into a spot as one boat left.
The usual evening routine: G&Ts, showers, out to eat.
Dinner at Dimitris Family Butcher Taverna — a top recommendation from Emily, one of our favourite ex-skippers.
Days 7–8 – Poros Lay Days
No sailing — just staying put.
Late brunch at Sugar Café, postcards, a lazy afternoon of canasta.
Dinner at The Garden Taverna, up the backstreets with stunning views and a complimentary shot to finish.
Next day, high winds kept us in again.
Peter unwell and stayed aboard while I joined the others on the free bus (which turned out not to go round the whole island after all 🤣).
A lovely swim at Kanali Beach, beautiful sunset, and dinner with the flotilla at Kanali Beach Restaurant.
Day 10 – Sunday, 5 October: Korfos to Corinth Canal
The famous fancy-dress Corinth Canal crossing!
Peter the Duck 🦆, me the Flamingo 🦩 (and yes, I still dislike pink).
The canal is an astonishing sight — 6.3 km long, carved through the Isthmus of Corinth with near-vertical rock walls.
Strong winds met us on the other side, but Dessa managed to squeeze all 12 boats into Corinth Harbour.
Takeaway pizzas and early to bed.
Day 11 – Monday, 6 October: Corinth to Galaxidi
Last out of the harbour, early sunrise, rainbow overhead.
Past the Lighthouse Melagavi and Heraion of Perachora. Little wind but smooth sailing.
All boats managed to squeeze into Galaxidi’s tiny quay — Dessa’s parking perfection again.
Drone up, G&Ts on Kanaris, and dinner at Bebelis — family-run and full of Greek charm.
Day 12 – Tuesday, 7 October: Galaxidi Lay Day
A relaxed morning — coffee ashore, canasta (Peter’s back on form 🙄).
Met the incoming delivery flotilla and joined the evening quiz at OK Café.
Our team — “Peter and Roger’s Harem” — came second (cheese and service stations were our downfall 🤣).
Dinner at Ab oVo with both flotillas together — brilliant atmosphere.
Day 13 – Wednesday, 8 October: Galaxidi to Trizonia
Kalimera! A good sail today — if a little too heeled over for my liking (no chance of a wee break down below!).
Cold and grey but Trizonia made up for it — a timeless little harbour with just a few tavernas.
Canasta at the bar, dinner at Porto Taverna, pure relaxation.
Day 14 – Thursday, 9 October: Trizonia to Messalonghi
A special day: passing under the Rio–Antirrio Bridge — one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the world.
Radioed for permission, ducked between the pillars, then a lovely gentle sail west.
Nearly ran aground when our depth dropped from 40 m to 1.4 m in seconds 😬.
Reached Messalonghi just as the sun set — those shacks along the channel still as charming as ever.
Dinner on the quayside, no cards tonight — too tired to shuffle.
Day 15 – Friday, 10 October: Messalonghi to Big Vathy, Ithaca
A wildlife-filled day: turtles, kingfishers, herons, egrets, and even flamingos overhead.
A gentle crossing, sails up briefly, and a mid-sea dance-off with the Kanaris crew 💃🕺.
Laundry, restock, showers, and pre-dinner drinks with the flotilla.
Dinner at Trehantiri Taverna — what we thought was chicken turned out to be pork. Delicious either way.
Day 16 – Saturday, 11 October: Big Vathi to Frikes, Ithaca
Janet Bebb & the Sailing Holidays Flotilla Moored In Frikes Ithaka
Morning coffee in the square.
We spotted a familiar face — a local gentleman we’d met the year before, still enjoying his complimentary coffee and friendly chats with everyone who passed.
It made my day.
A calm sail with a short bay stop — finally time for a swim!
A butterfly hitched a ride into Frikes.
Rafted up beside Kanaris, G&Ts all round, and dinner on the water’s edge as a kingfisher hunted nearby.
Day 17 – Sunday, 12 October: Frikes to Fiskardo, Kefalonia
A bumpy night but a smooth sail.
Drone up for shots of the rafted boats.
Chaos on arrival when a super-yacht dropped its anchor over everyone else’s — mayhem!
But soon enough, we were moored right in front of the tavernas. Boat-to-beers in three steps 🍻.
Canasta, waffles, showers, and G&Ts (naturally).
Dinner at Ellie’s — Italian and curry on the same menu (guess which Peter chose?).
Sat out watching the world go by — the perfect end to the day.
Day 31 – Sunday, 13 October: Agia Effimia to Big Vathy
A lazy start — coffee and croissants before pulling anchor (with a little anchor-chain drama).
No wind, so we found a quiet bay near Big Vathy for swimming and lunch — not another boat in sight.
I got the drone and GoPro out — some of my favourite shots yet.
Back into Big Vathy for canasta (Peter 11 – Janet 12!) and one final dinner at Trehantiri Taverna.
Goat and potatoes in the pan — the perfect finale.
Thank You, Janet
From the first G&T in Orei to the last sunset in Big Vathy, Janet’s journey perfectly captures the rhythm of flotilla life — the friendships, the weather, the odd mishap, and the joy of seeing Greece from the water.
We can’t thank Janet enough for documenting it all and sharing her story with such warmth and humour.
Here’s to Aeolus, Katsiki, and every sailor who reminds us why we love what we do.
Yammas, Janet. Until next time. 💙
Janet & Peter showing it's not to cold to go snorkelling even in October!
You can explore a version of the delivery flotilla that Janet and Peter did by clicking here and exploring our Sporades Corinth Canal Delivery Flotilla.