ZORBA CAT

“Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea”
Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek

From hidden anchorages away from the tourist hustle and bustle to traditionally Greek seaside tavernas – Zorba Cat truly offers guests an unforgettable authentic sailing journey in Greece. From family friendly charters to voyages for couples or friends, She certainly has something for everyone.

Zorba Cat sails the Greek islands in comfort and style, providing guests with a luxurious sailing experience. She is a modern Fountaine Pajot Eleuthera 60ft catamaran. Fountaine Pajot is one of the world’s number one builders of cruising catamarans and the Eleuthera 60 was called their flagship. This yacht was very quickly appreciated by the customers due to its sailing performances along with a high level of comfort.

ZORBA Cat is not only the name of the boat, it’s the philosophy behind it: You only have one life so enjoy every minute of it and create wonderful memories – that’s how one can sum up the adventures of Zorba the Greek written by Nikos Kazantzakis. Owners and crew, Aga and Greg share his love for Greece – the slow life, marvellous sunny landscape and kind people with unbreakable optimism. They appreciate the beauty of nature, the joy of life, good music and great food. So when you are on board of Zorba Cat, naturally you begin to share this philosophy and feel its good influence.

“I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.”
― Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek

A sailing experience in Greece with a luxury catamaran is accessible to all ages and abilities. Her simple rig makes her a leisurely sail with winch systems and modern navigation equipment. Unlike some catamarans, she’s a great boat to sail, whether you’re an experienced sailor looking for some sunshine or a novice wanting to try something new.

As an advantage, she is always sailed by her owners – Aga and Greg who have been organising sailing holidays in Greece and Caribbean for the last 18 years. Due to their sailing background, they chose exactly this model as a strong and high-speed sailing catamaran capable of safely crossing oceans with comfort. The shape of the hulls makes Zorba Cat not only beautiful, but also incredible from the nautical point of view. Whenever possible, the boat will be going on sails being environment-friendly and creating opportunities for gaining sailing knowledge for those interested, while others can relax, sunbathe and enjoy fast sailing at ease with a glass of wine in their hand.

The itineraries prepared by the Owners are the absolute best of what Greece has to offer. Their local knowledge will guide you to the crystal clear blue sea, small harbours away from tourist crowds and their passion for food and wine will enable you to taste Greece in a way exceeding expectations. Variety of unique attractions arranged with locals is an additional value of the holiday. From healing baths in volcanic hot springs, through UNESCO heritage historical sites and exploring sunken city to family-run secret winery and Zorba dancing with its owners, a tailor-made trip will be adjusted to Guest’s needs and preferences.

Last but not least, Safety is always the priority. Registered under the Greek flag as a commercial yacht with Greek charter licence, inspected every year and equipped with all required safety gear, Zorba Cat is a safe and sound choice for your next holidays.

ACCOMODATION / CHARACTERISTIC:

She has four private cabins for guests, made up of two master aft ensuite cabins and two doubles forward ensuite cabins. All cabins are complete with modern push button electric toilets and wet room-style showers. With a generous saloon and a well-equipped galley, Zorba Cat was built with charter and guest comfort at the forefront of her design, with full air conditioning throughout. The generator, water maker, solar panels and other amenities makes her independent, self-sufficient sailing vessel. Her size: 60feet (about 156 square meters of space for guests) guarantees stability and comfort (speeding 10 knots, glass of wine can still be kept on the table). At least four separate areas in common spaces provide a lot of privacy. Refurbished in 2022. With a dropped transom, easy steps down into the water, nets to lay out on the bow, sunbathing cushions on the rooftop, outdoor seating, and a dining area at the stern, Zorba Cat gives guests the perfect access to that crystal clear Mediterranean sea!

Cabin configuration : 4 for guests (5th smaller one upon request) + 2 skippers: 2 x master aft ensuite cabins (1 with twin bed option), 2 x double fore ensuite cabins, 1 x small double ensuite cabin (only when 10 guests – lower standard of the cabin, so to be confirmed before each booking).

WATER SPORTS

• Dinghy size : Rib V hull aluminium 4,20m
• Dinghy HP : 40 HP
• Water Skis Adult : yes
• WING FOIL: Yes
• Tubing: Yes
• Kayaks (2 Pax) : Yes
• SUP Paddle Boards : Yes
• Snorkel Gear : 10
• Variety of Inflatables: yes

MEALS – sample

We can accommodate all dietary needs: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free etc (Aga is gluten free so understands very well when guests are on special diet). We use only organic, local and healthy ingredients like homemade sheep and goat feta, organic olive oil coming from our friend’s olive trees, fish and seafood from local fishermen and fruits and veggies from local markets (or friend’s gardens like our lemons or figs!). We don’t use white sugar or processed food/ingredients. On board we make breakfast and lunch, evening we either go to the tavernas together or recommend the best restaurants for our guests to enjoy the time on their own.

SAMPLE:
Breakfast:

Homemade baked nuts granola, Greek yoghurt, thyme Greek honey from Crete, local fruits Eggs (scrambled, omelette, boiled, fried) with extras and local cheese platter with fig jams
Shakshuka with fresh organic tomato and feta cheese
Healthy oat pancakes with apples and cinnamon served with fruits, honey and greek yoghurt
Smoothie with fresh fruits (eg. kiwi, orange, banana, raspberries, ginger, tumeric) Porridge with a twist
Tea: big selection
Coffee: all types
Croissants or homemade cakes or almond flour bagels
Fresh fruit platter with tahini, local homemade jams, peanut/almond butter, variety of nuts

Lunch 1
Aga’s greek salad with a secret twist, organic vegetables and homemade goat’s feta cheese
Greek mezze (hummus, stuffed vine leaves, tzatziki, local olives, aubergine dip), fresh bread
Cheese platter with local figs or fig jams (depending on the season)
Homemade marinated anchovy in olive oil and vinegar
Dessert: Watermelon ice cream dipped in chocolate

Lunch 2
Sweet potato baked in the oven with pistachio pesto, feta and pomegranate
Bruschetta with Cherry tomatoes with red wine, balsamic vinegar, mizithra soft cheese and fresh basil

ITINERARIES:

ROUTE 1: SARONIC, start and end in Athens area (Aegina island)

Greece is the perfect destination for those who seek and appreciate the historical and cultural heritage of the classical era. The ultimate route in Saronic is a mix of sailing, swimming/relaxing in beautiful bays and sightseeing unbelievable must-visit ancient landmarks.

On the way there is a UNESCO heritage ancient theatre in Epidavros (the best preserved in the world with incredible acoustics hard to Find nowadays. When you drop a coin on stage you can hear the sound in the last row); in Epidavros we have dinner in our favourite family-run Taverna where the tables are situated under the Orange trees - absolutely stunning (you can eat one growing directly above your head). Plus the owner is a woman (not very popular in Greece), which makes the place magic! In the Bay outside Epidavros we anchor next to sunken city - snorkelling from the boat over ancient town below the water on depth of 1.5-2m; stunning Temple of Aphaia one of the ancient architectural wonders, built on the hill of Aegina Islands (also known as "pistachio island") - beautiful and unique; on Aegina we also have a possible trip to family-run pistachio plantation, where you can see how the pistachio grow and find out why there is only one male for 100 woman :) In the evening we go for dinner with live music on a typical greek instrument bouzouki - learning Zorba dance is a plan for the night! :) Perdika - a small fishing village where you can find the nicest people in the world; the family that runs our favourite Taverna, after many years became our close friends, almost like family members. Kalotina and Notis will make sure that you will get the best service and be treated with care. Mamma is making absolutely the best moussaka in the whole of Greece! The tzatziki with homemade yogurt is a life changer :) Next our secret harbour (with one family-run taverna and no shop) that can fit only 7 boats. The relaxed vibe and the beauty of the village hidden between high mountains is infectious, often said to be the most beautiful spot in all of Saronic. Very local place which is known only by those who have sailed there for many years. Other port that we may visit – Methana: a slow town away from crowds with natural volcanic hot springs. Back pain, stress or tense muscles? We got you covered with 15 minutes in those amazing waters! From there we can make a trip to an amazing local winery and try some famous Peloponnese wine (more info below)! Poros - an Island with unforgettable views and the best grilled dorada we ever ate (and we travel a lot!). After supper at Mike’s we can go for a nice walk / hike up the hill to reach a small typical chapel from which you have one of the best views in Saronic! A little meditation at the top will be a perfect ending of the adventurous day. On the way down to an Ice cream place - the pistachio flavour from local nuts will make you come back for it the next day! Depending on the wind we may also visit Hydra, jewel of the Saronic - an island with no car traffic - all the transportation is done only by donkeys; the sunset in Hydra is said to be even more beautiful than in Santorini. No wonder why this island is a place for summer houses for many film stars and singers. At the top after Long hike you can visit monks in a monastery. The architecture is absolutely amazing and one of a kind - maze of streets was built that way to protect from Pirate attacks. Getting Lost there is a very nice experience.:) and cherry on top - one more secret harbour! We are the only boat of this size that is brave enough to enter due to the very shallow waters. Only locals and very experienced captains can do so, but once you get in - it's so rewarding! no tourists, one typical greek taverna, quiet beach and local fisherman - a true paradise away from the crowds, a pearl we share only with those coming on board with us!

The winds in the Saronic bay are perfect for a leisure trip. They are not too strong but they blow everyday. The islands are far less touristy and commercial than those in the Ionian sea. A chance to visit and feel the real Greece with its breath-taking historical sites.

P.S. THE WINERY! Two years ago we introduced a new attraction that is very much enjoyed by our guests - a trip to the small, local vineyard with international wine awards and the vines growing in volcanic soil. It is a very special family run place (NOT a tourist trap), actually we are the only tourists visiting this place. Father, Nektarios is a very funny guy who makes the tour and tells all about the wine making in the family (they even put some of the bottles at the bottom of the sea to give the special flavour) and his wife Giota (who doesn't speak English) cooks local dinner from ingredients coming from her garden. During wine tasting (which is more like wine drinking looking by the amount we usually drink) every bottle (usually around 7-8, white, rose and red) comes with a different meal that is well selected to this type of wine. The wine and food pairing is excellent (our opinion best we ever tried!). After this amazing feast our hosts (if they are in the mood) show us the typical Greek dance and songs and usually we dance Zorba. It is truly a local and amazing night, often we hear the best our guests ever had on holidays. The food is homemade and unbelievably tasty (have you ever tried aubergine cooked by the fire in red wine for 7 hours?) and the experience is as Greek as you can get :)

ROUTE 2: small Cyclades far away from tourist crowds
Round cruises from Naxos are definitely one of our favorites! Starting and ending in Naxos - in the heart of Cyclades, enables us to explore amazing Cyclades from the first moment of the sailing holiday! Small Cyclades are the pearl of this area. We visit stunning Cycladic islands offering beautiful desert bays with crystal clear water perfect for swimming/snorkelling (colorful fish, caves and even the II WW plane wreck), characteristic local villages, yet less known and far less touristy than e.g. Mykonos or Santorini. On the way Iraklia (which is empty even in the middle of the season), Kufonissi (with its Caribbean-like blue water), Schinoussa (truly local and greek small village) and beautiful Amorgos - with a breathtaking monastery carved in the rock (where the monks are waiting for you to climb the stairs with delicious psimeni raki and loukoumi), beautiful beach and swimming spot famous from the Le grand Bleu film and typical Cycladic Chora, a town in the mountains. On the way also our secret harbour that fits 2-3 boats on a very local and yet unspoiled Greek island, where we usually visit winery with the most stunning sunset sea view and the best lamb we ever had (and trust me, we had many :) ) If guests are up for more sailing miles, we may visit Ios and Folegandros offering one of the most scenic old towns (Choras) in Cyclades.
On the way back, depending on the winds, a possible trip to Paros with its quieter sister Antiparos where our guests have a chance to visit and feel the real Greece with its local atmosphere. Near Antiparos, the islands of Despotico and Strongili, known for unspoilt nature and protected species under nature 2000.

ROUTE 3 - ONE WAY NAXOS - ATHENS

One - way cruises give us a chance to explore the islands on the way to Athens without the need to come back. We start from Naxos, the largest island in Cyclades with beautiful beaches and a gorgeous old town of meandering alleys. Next stop is Paros - one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades or its quieter sister Antiparos, where if you are lucky enough we may meet Tom Hanks :) On the way amazing islands such as: Sifnos - the most delicious greek island and a beauty to behold; Serifos - with its rugged mining sites, ladened with history, has its own distinct Cycladic flair; Kythnos: Boasting a wild natural landscape, elegant architecture and a selection of stunning beaches and a lovely hot springs to swim at night; Kea which remains a local secret - a weekend hangout and summer hideaway and has a different landscape and architecture than its Cycladic sisters. Before coming to Athens we visit So Union and the Temple of Poseidon, one of the most magnificent ancient landmarks in the Attica region.

Nights we plan to spend in the harbours (on anchorages using dinghy to shore) and each day on a new island. This cruise is a mix of sailing, sightseeing and enjoying delicious local food :) Unplug yourself and spend some quality time together. Be close to nature and feel the freedom that only sailing can offer you :)

*This route is a bit more demanding than others, probably better not to choose it for the first sailing holiday. Often sailing close to the wind with bigger mileage to cover.

ROUTE 4 ONE WAY ATHENS (Aegina) - NAXOS

One way cruise from Athens to Naxos is a leisure trip dedicated to those that wish to do more sailing mileage and explore the Cyclades without hurry, slowly enjoying sailing with the wind, sightseeing and local cuisine. Depending on the wind on the route we have: Aegina, the pistachio Islands with the stunning Temple of Aphaia one of the ancient architectural wonders, built on the hill; Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, one of the most magnificent ancient landmarks in the Attica region. Kea which remains a local secret - a weekend hangout and summer hideaway and has a different landscape and architecture than its Cycladic sisters; Kythnos: Boasting a wild natural landscape, elegant architecture and a selection of stunning beaches and a lovely hot springs to swim at night; Serifos - with its rugged mining sites, ladened with history, has its own distinct Cycladic flair; Next stop is Paros - one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades or its quieter sister Antiparos, where if you are lucky enough we may meet Tom Hanks :) And final destination - Naxos, the biggest island of the Cyclades, very famous for the amazing sandy beaches and the characteristic typical Greek villages.

ROUTE 5: SPORADES:
Volos-Skiathos-Alonissos/Peristera-Skopelos-Village of the island of Trikeri/lovely village of Neo Klima-Volos.

Volos is one of the largest and most beautiful Greek cities, and is the perfect place to begin your charter for the Sporades. Authentic cafes and restaurants line the picturesque seafront of Volos, where you can enjoy delicious seafood, and try the traditional spirit Tsipouro. Take a walk into the charming city centre, dotted with elegant neoclassical buildings and historic churches. Skiathos and Skopelos, were the enchanting backdrop for the beloved ABBA musical film “Mamma Mia!”. Skiathos, with its vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches, was the perfect setting for lively scenes, while Skopelos provided a picturesque haven with its charming traditional architecture and lush greenery. The film beautifully highlighted the islands’ natural beauty, attracting countless fans eager to experience the magic of the locations. Iconic spots, such as the famed church of Agios Ioannis, have since become pilgrimage sites for fans, enhancing the islands’ allure as a travel destination.

Aside from the popular spots on the main islands, the Sporades islands offer much more untouched, uninhabited beauty, perfectly explored under sail. They have a good balance of bustling harbours, authentic tavernas and sleepy anchorages, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxation.

Skopelos, noted for its breathtaking landscapes and traditional architecture, awaits with its magnificent beaches and culinary delights. A highlight of this island is its local speciality, Strifti cheese pie. Skopelos also gained fame as a filming location for the hit movie “Mamma Mia!”, attracting visitors eager to recreate the film’s magical moments.

The island of Alonnisos is renowned for its rugged landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. As the most remote inhabited island in the Northern Sporades, it is home to the National Marine Park, a sanctuary for rare seabirds and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. This area is rich in various plants and animals, along with important archaeological and historical sites. It has significant scientific and cultural value due to its archaeological discoveries, which include shipwrecks, ancient monasteries, and churches that date back to prehistoric times, the classical period, and the Byzantine Empire.

Anchor at Peristera, an uninhabited island ideal for those seeking solitude. This serene spot, rich in history with its caves and former pirate ports, offers a perfect escape from the busier beaches. Here, you can take leisurely walks through lush pine forests and olive groves, immersing yourself in the island’s natural charm.

Lastly, Trikeri - The unknown island of bliss. One of Greece's lesser-known gems. A true piece of paradise, the island of Paleo Trikeri is pure and unspoiled. Covered by dense vegetation, mainly olive groves, the picturesque landscape adds to its peaceful charm. There are no cars or roads on the island.

***
During all our trips we try to stay far away from tourist crowds - in the small harbors or on anchorages next to desert islands (excluding goats and birds). Each day we stop for swimming in beautiful bays - some of them completely wild, others with one small taverna, serving for lunch fresh fish and seafood (often taken out of the water before our eyes). For our guests we offer a possibility of jogging/yoga in the morning, organic food on board and a healthy lifestyle close to wild nature. Friendly local people and lots of tasty food and wine are the common features for all the islands that we visit.