Family sailing in Greece with a skipper

What inspired you to sail with More Sailing in Greece? 

“We started following a sailing account a few years ago on YouTube and since then we have felt that we just have to get our own boat and live a similar life. When we found out about More Sailing we felt we just had to try it out! We have always dreamt of living at sea, we love the sea!” 

Did you have any previous experience of sailing? 

“This trip was the first real sailing trip for all three of us. Our life was quite hectic before, so it felt like this kind of trip was just what we needed! Traveling abroad and just staying in the same hotel has never suited us, so when we travel abroad we experience and see a lot. In that way sailing is similar as you’re moving around and discovering new places every day.” 

What were your expectations for the sailing trip? 

“Just getting to experience so many things, but also getting to try out sailing was really awesome! Learning more about sailing was a dream. We were also really looking forward to being on holiday, being taken care of, not having to cook and just relaxing – what a luxury! 

Our baby is pretty used to travelling, but of course we were a little nervous about how things would go on the boat because she was just starting to walk. What would it be like with a small child? We imagined her running around the boat laughing. But you know, it worked out really well and exceeded our expectations. After this week our daughter has such incredible balance – a week on a sailboat made it so much better.”

Curious about a sailing trip? Read more about sailing trips with a skipper and host here.

How did it work having a child on the boat? 

“So much better than you could ever imagine. Food is one of the most important things and whatever we asked for was specially prepared and adapted to our needs. When it comes to sleep, it was so easy to put her to bed. The boat is rocking all the time and the white noise of the sea is soothing. We could lay her down on the sofa, look at her and the next minute she would fall asleep. So easy to put her down to sleep, beyond our expectations! The only thing was that it was incredibly hot, some days over 40 degrees. We wondered how that would go. But it went well.” 

Was there anything special that she enjoyed doing during the trip?

“We went swimming with her constantly, she loved to swim. If you’re thinking of traveling with a one-year-old on a sailboat – do it! It went so well! We also got a tip from our host & skipper to bring with us a small inflatable swimming pool to have on deck – it was brilliant!”  

How did routines with a child on the boat work?

“Everything worked very smoothly. Often she would sleep when we sailed and we would lay out mattresses on the floor so she could sleep in the shade. In the evenings, she slept in her pushchair when we went out to eat at a restaurant. A travel pushchair was really good to bring!” 

What was the best thing about sailing in Greece?

“It was so much nicer than any of us could have imagined, and we have travelled a lot! Our friends Lisa & Chris, who were also on the boat, have lived in Costa Rica and have also travelled a lot and they said in one of the bays in Greece that “this is the nicest thing we have ever seen!”. It was such an incredibly beautiful landscape, which we maybe hadn’t realised before. It’s also incredible to experience it from the sea and get to places you would not otherwise have seen. Add to that the crystal clear sea that brought to mind a swimming pool in some places.” 

Were there any challenges? 

“Before we left, we thought that seasickness would be tricky, but it worked out really well. The boat we stayed on had no air con, except when we were in the harbours, so it was very hot in the cabin. But on the whole, that didn’t matter so much.” 

How would you describe a day on the boat? 

“We woke up to a breakfast buffet which was very nice, not least that it was a Swedish breakfast with porridge, eggs – something you might have cooked yourself. We usually woke up in a harbour, then went through where we were going to sail during the day and cast off. We always stopped to swim in nice places. The sea was so incredibly warm and looked like a swimming pool. Then we were served lunch that was adapted to suit everyone. Amalia who is both vegan and gluten-free said “wow what good food this is” – it was amazing. Then we had plenty of free time where you could just rest, hang out, swim! In the afternoons we often arrived to a lovely village where we strolled around and ate dinner. It all felt like being in a film!” 

Was there anything in particular that you were surprised by during the trip? 

“How much fresh water could fit in the boat and that we could all shower! It was a luxury for us. That we could always charge our phones through USB was also nice. And then the views of Greece and the lovely weather of course.” 

Favourite stop of the week? 

“Usually we came to a harbour and thought, this is the nicest thing we've seen, and then we came to a new harbour and thought but oh this is the most beautiful so far. But there was a place that we loved the most, Kioni. Wow it was so lovely! It's so picturesque when you come into the bay by boat. The beach there had the clearest water I've ever seen and everything was a short distance from the boat. The beach was a few minutes away, there were cute ice-cream places and small shops. Everything about Kioni was so picturesque! Even the name.” 

What was the best thing about travelling with family & friends on a sailing trip?

“It was such incredible quality time together! I don't think we've ever hung out that way before. It's so easy to do things together wherever you are. Here on the sailboat we could sit and play games, talk and hang out.”     

What were the highlights of the week?

“Seeing Solvej swim so much! She was just like a little fish and floated around with her armbands, it was very funny. And to see her relationships with the family grow. But there were so many highlights. To see our friends and family so happy. Both my mum and Martin's mum got to try sailing and they were so happy. Then when everyone went into all the cute little villages and sat and ate dinner in the evenings. It’s difficult to choose a highlight. I think we all agreed it was the best trip we've been on! One day when we were having breakfast, Martin's mother started crying and & said “I can’t believe we get to experience this!”. It was at that level.”  

Do you have any special memories from your trip that you would like to share?

“Sailing at sunrise was absolutely magical, I will never forget it! We got up early before the sun came up then we glided on the mirror-like sea in the warm breeze while the sky was completely red. It’s indescribable!”  

What activities did you do together as a family?

“We all took the opportunity to really rest and when we went ashore we always strolled around the small villages, sat down at some small restaurant, played games, and swam a lot! Really great quality time together” 

Is there anything special to keep in mind when sailing with children?

"It's good to think about what to pack! Some important things to take with you on a sailing trip with children are:

• A mini pool to have on the boat

• Travel pushchair because you go ashore in many places

• A small fan with batteries to keep in the cabin at night

• Swimming armbands, sun cream, sun hat and the usual things you’d bring for kids. 

• Baby food if necessary. However, Solvej ate everything that was served on the boat.”

What did you think of the facilities on board?

“Great! There was a shower, toilet and kitchen. You get your own cabin (if you are two people) with a bedroom and wardrobes. Lots of space! When we were there it was over 30 degrees at night so it could be a bit difficult for her to sleep with no air con, but beyond that nothing, absolutely fantastic!” 

What’s your top tip to other families who are thinking of sailing with young children? 

“Just go for it, book it! Of course, we were a little unsure how it would go before the trip, but everything fell into place as soon as we got on board. After all, you have a captain and host, who are always accommodating with everything. I think you should just have the courage to book it, because it was absolutely amazing! I also think kids of all ages would have enjoyed it – from swimming and jumping off the boat to snorkeling. Such an incredible week – it felt like being in a film!” 

Would you like to take a similar trip in the future?

“In a heartbeat! At some point, we’re also going to live on a boat – 100%.”