Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Travelling by Sea
The Fleet
With a network covering every inhabited island, the Greek ferry system is vast and var-
ied. The slow rust-buckets that used to ply the seas are nearly a thing of the past. You'll
still find slow boats, but high-speed ferries are increasingly more common and cover
most of the popular routes. Local ferries, excursion boats and tiny, private fishing boats
called caïques often connect neighbouring islands and islets. You'll also find water taxis
that will take you to isolated beaches and coves. At the other end of the spectrum, hydro-
foils and catamarans can cut down travel time drastically. Hydrofoils have seen their hey-
day but continue to link some of the more remote islands and island groups. Catamarans
have taken to the sea in a big way, offering more comfort and coping better with poor
weather conditions.
For long-haul ferry travel, it is still possible to board one of the slow boats chugging
between the islands and to curl up on deck in your sleeping bag to save a night's accom-
modation, but Greece's domestic ferry scene has undergone a radical transformation in
the past decade and these days you can also travel in serious comfort and at a decent
speed. The trade off is, of course, that long-haul sea travel can be quite expensive. A bed
for the night in a cabin from Piraeus to Rhodes can be more expensive than a discounted
airline ticket.
GETTING YOUR SEA LEGS
Even those with the sturdiest stomachs can feel seasick when a boat hits rough
weather. Here are a few tips to calm your tummy:
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Gaze at the horizon, not the sea. Don't read or stare at objects that your mind will
assume are stable.
»
Drink plenty and eat lightly. Many people claim ginger biscuits and ginger tea
settle the stomach.
»
Don't use binoculars.
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If possible stay in the fresh air - don't go below deck and avoid hydrofoils where
you are trapped indoors.
»
Try to keep your mind occupied.
»
If you know you're prone to seasickness, consider investing in acupressure wrist
bands before you leave.
