Cyclades , Greece Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for Cyclades , Greece

The Cyclades are among the most popular Greek island groups. Lying close to Athens, getting in and out is very easy. The Cyclades are a perfect holiday destination for couples, groups of friends or families. All of the 220 islands and islets are beautiful, but the most popular ones are Mykonos and Santorini. Chartering a yacht in the Cyclades gives visitors the advantage of island-hopping and being as close or as far from the crowds as they desire.

COORDINATES: 37º00N, 25º10E

LANGUAGE: Greek

LARGEST ISLAND: Naxos

WEATHER: Summers are long and hot with very scarce rainfall and average daily temperatures at about 28C (82F).

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: June-September

AIRPORTS: The national airports in Mykonos (JMK), Naxos (JNX), Santorini (JTR) and Syros (JSY) offer daily flights to Athens on Olympic Air.
The Athens International Airport (ATH) offers international flights to major European cities. Airlines from Athens include: Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa

TIME: UTC+2 (winter), UTC+3 (summer)

CURRENCY: EUR; major credit cards including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted and ATMs are available on the islands.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V, 50 Hz

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan New Year's Day
6 Jan Epiphany
25 Mar Independence Day
Mar/Apr Orthodox Good Friday
Orthodox Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
May/Jun Orthodox Whit Monday
15 Aug Assumption
28 Oct Ochi Day
25 Dec Christmas
26 Dec Glorifying Mother of God

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS: Finikas Marina in Syros, Tourlos Marina in Mykonos, Naxos Port, Vlichada in Santorini

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: The Cyclades' most famous beaches are located in Mykonos, Paros and Naxos, and these islands are the region's best for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Other islands are not as popular and therefore less crowded. Milos, Sifnos, Amorgos, Andros and Tinos have equally lovely beaches but with less tourist facilities.

CULTURAL: Greece is a country of great interest and diverse cultures influenced by its strategic location between the East and the West. Greeks are very proud of their history and rich cultural heritage and are strongly influenced by the Greek Orthodox Church. Dress is mostly casual and smoking is prohibited inside public transport and buildings.