About The Saronic Gulf

Sailing Region: Saronic Gulf

Aegina, Agkistri, Spetses, Hydra, Poros, Salamina and the peninsula of Methana form the island complex of the Saronic Islands in southern Greece. Sprinkled over the Argosaronic Gulf and steeped in ancient mythology, these islands are small havens in close proximity to Athens. The hospitality of Greeks living in this area is always welcoming and cheerful while dining at any restaurant is always a delight and usually followed by some locally distilled drink!

Small distances between the islands, easy provisioning options, trees touching the sea shore and a good choice of natural bays make Saronic Islands a perfect region for sailing. On the horizon we spot villages of whitewashed houses, ancient olive grows as well as impressive monuments of the great prehistoric civilization that flourished here for thousands of years.

Interesting Facts:

• Aegina Island: According to the myth, the island took its name from a nymph, daughter of the river god Asopos, whom Zeus fell in love with and took with him to the island!
• In Hydra around 500 donkeys are used as a public transportation system. Cars are banned!
• The Temple of Aphaia (on Aegina Island) is considered the most well-preserved temple in all of Greece.
• No one in Greece can choose to not vote. Voting is required by law for every citizen who is 18 or older.
• The world’s third leading producer of olives, the Greeks have cultivated olive trees since ancient times. Some olive trees planted in the thirteenth century are still producing olives
• Greece has more than 2,000 islands, of which approximately 170 are populated.  Greece’s largest island is Crete (8,260 sq. km.).
• Many Greek structures such as doors, windowsills, furniture, and church domes are painted a turquoise blue, especially in the Cyclades Islands. It is used because of an ancient belief that this shade of blue keeps evil away.
• The saying “taking the bull by its horns” comes from the Greek myth of Hercules saving Crete from a raging bull by seizing its horns.
• Greeks do not wave with an open hand. In fact, it is considered an insult to show the palm of the hand with the fingers extended. Greeks wave with the palm closed.
• Continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years, Athens is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is also the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, political science, Western literature, historiography, major mathematical principles, and Western theories of tragedy and comedy.