Have you ever dreamed of skippering your own vessel
Always wanted to have some private sailing tuition but never found the time
Fancied completely relaxing and learning Yoga techniques on an island in the Ionian Does an overnight stay in Paxos or the mainland interest you
 Surprise your loved one with a romantic overnight trip and gourmet seafood meal

Look no further, all of this is possible with us

Affordable-Corfu Travel Office has teamed up with ‘skipper Rick’ and ‘Blue Planet’ to offer you the following experience’s of a lifetime:

Introduction to ‘Blue Planet’

'Blue Planet' is a comfortable 46 foot (14m) sailing vessel made by Beneteau, she has four double cabins and one large double berth in the main saloon three of the cabins are reserved for clients. There are two bathrooms with hot and cold showers and a fully fitted galley. For your safety she is also fitted with all the necessary navigational and safety equipment, including Radar, GPS navigation, life raft and life jackets etc, she is also licensed to both the MCA (UK) code for charter vessels and the Greek coding.

Skippered Sailing Holidays

All our cruises start and finish in Gouvia Marina Corfu, they last for a minimum of 6 days and generally start on a Monday.
During the Cruise your skipper Rick will take you to many beautiful locations both on the Islands and the Greek Mainland, and on the way we hope to spot the many leaping Dolphins who often accompany us.
For those who decide to take a longer trip with us, clearly we can travel further afield down through the Lefkas canal and to the inland sea (weather permitting).
During a typical day we try to have at least one swimming stop for lunch and then either anchor up in harbours with their stunning tavernas where we generally eat, or we spend the night under the stars, in a secluded bay and either BBQ or cook on board.

If you want to hire the entire boat for the week sole occupancy, during July and August 2008 the cost is 3500 Euros, for all other months the price is 3000 Euros, with a maximum of 6 guests sharing 3 double cabins.

If you want to ‘join’ a trip and there is space, the cost will be 530 Euros per person based on sharing a double cabin.

Sailing Tuition

Through our links with the RYA registered Corfu Sea school, we can organise RYA training courses namely 'Competent Crew' and 'Day Skipper’ at the end of which (providing you pass), you will be presented with an internationally recognized certificate.
During the courses you'll either learn how to be a competent crew member thereby making you a useful addition to any boat, or for the Day Skipper people you'll gain a qualification that allows you to charter and skipper a boat in non tidal waters. The courses run for 5 days so you'll have a day to just chill out at the end.

If you want to ‘join’ a trip for sailing tuition and there is space, the cost will be 690 Euros per person based on sharing a double cabin.

Yoga Retreat/Classes

In combining Yoga and Sailing we believe we have created an ideal Yoga retreat. Both pursuits are a way of life that offer inner piece and tranquility, and with the use of sails instead of engines, we are also an Eco friendly Yoga retreat.
Why go to a retreat where you are stuck in one place when you can have the freedom of the seas to travel to stunning new locations every day, and truly commune with nature, whilst enjoying your Yoga practice.
The trips run for 6 days though we are of course happy to take you for longer!
During your voyage you will enjoy at least 4 Yoga classes per weeks, which will take place in various land based locations, and which are tailored to the experience of the group.
This gives you 2 days where you can just simply relax, swim and enjoy the sun.
Just like the other trips we run, your journey starts and ends in Gouvia Marina Corfu, a mere ten minute cab ride from the airport.
Like the other trips you are welcome to get involved as much as you like with the sailing and day to day running of the boat, who knows it may even inspire you to take up sailing, as a hobby.

Yoga classes take place at three main locations, Plateria on the mainland, In Lakka on the island of Paxos, and on the island of Corfu.
These locations offer us private sites with good solid bases on which to practice, and roof cover, they also have beautiful sea views and most importantly privacy.
After our morning classes we will sail on excursions to various locations where you can relax swim and perhaps indulge in some shopping therapy. On rest days we will sail to quite bays and spend time swimming and maybe preparing a bbq or two, some of you may even want to cook a nice meal and show off your culinary skills, you are of course more than welcome!

We work with some of the finest Yoga teachers in the UK who between them cover every discipline. They are all insured professionals, and teach at many of London's top health and Yoga clubs.

Emily has become our principle teacher she lives on the Greek island of Kefalonia so she is very much in tune with the area. She became a fully qualified teacher on the island of Kho Phagnan, Thailand, and has been running workshops in Greece. Emily practices Tantra Yoga Vinyana an organic science based on the teachings of the Vedic Tradition. It intergrates all aspects of SELF - Body, Mind and Spirit. By working through our Chakra system and practicing Chakra activation techniques. This technique also encompases many of the poses you are used to, and we think you'll find her up beat character and love of nature truly infectious.

If you want to ‘join’ a trip for ‘Yoga’ and there is space, the cost will be 597 Euros per person based on sharing a double cabin.

Day Trips & Overnight stays

Fancy a day trip on 'Blue Planet'? Subject to availability, ‘skipper Rick’ can sail you around the beautiful island of Corfu, Paxos or over to the main land, weather permitting. For a maximum of 8 people we include a light lunch, beer, wine and soft drinks.

The cost will be 500 Euros for the day.

Fancy surprising your loved one with a romantic overnight trip followed by a gourmet seafood meal? No better way to spend their Birthday, Anniversary or just special precious time together. Skipper Rick will sail you for an overnight trip to either Paxos or Plateria on the mainland, weather permitting of course! This involves 2 days sailing plus the overnight board for a maximum of 6 guests sharing 3 double cabins. As Rick is familiar with the local restaurants, he can organise evening dining on your behalf for that special romantic meal. (meal not included in the price!)

The cost will be 750 Euros for an overnight & 2 days sailing on Blue Planet

For those of you taking 'Cruising' or 'Yoga' trips, we like to encourage people to get involved in the sailing process, as many find this experience both rewarding and inspiring, however this is not compulsory, if your taking 'Tuition' course, then clearly it is!!!

LUGGAGE

Our suggestion is that you bring soft luggage with you, the reason being that this can be very easily stored on board, as opposed to hard luggage which cannot.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Cruises
The use of Blue Planet with a professional Skipper and all relevant safety equipment, and full insurance including third party liability. All fuel and mooring fees. The boat will also have food and water on board for breakfast and lunch on a help yourself basis, However we are hoping to have a hostess/cook on board this year so you might get lucky. We will not be charging extra for this, but if you like what she does for you, then a voluntary gratuity would be greatly appreciated. Apart from that there will be at least one evening when your skipper will cook a bbq.

Yoga
Classes by a professional Yoga teacher for four days out of the six day cruise plus all relevant safety equipment, full insurance including third party liability, and all fuel and mooring fees. The boat will also have food and water on board for breakfast and lunch on a help yourself basis, however we are hoping to have a hostess/cook on board this year so you might get lucky. We will not be charging extra for this, but if you like what she does for you, then a voluntary gratuity would be greatly appreciated. Apart from that there will be at least one evening when your skipper will cook a bbq.

Sailing Tuition
Training in sailing and boat handling to 'Competent Crew and 'Day skipper' levels by an RYA Cruising Instructor, plus all relevant safety equipment, full insurance including third party liability, and all fuel and mooring fees. The boat will also have food and water on board for breakfast and lunch on a help yourself basis, However we are hoping to have a hostess/cook on board this year so you might get lucky. We will not be charging extra for this, but if you like what she does for you, then a voluntary gratuity would be greatly appreciated. Apart from that there will be at least one evening when your skipper will cook a bbq.

We also supply fun laughter and an extremely easy going atmosphere, so whether your relaxing, training, or being the perfect Yogi, we welcome you. Please bring dry sense of humour with you.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

Alcohol
We don't supply alcohol on board, this can be purchased by you, at the many local stores.

Food
We don't supply Evening Meals, as we generally eat at one of the many fabulous Tavernas, the exception being the bbq prepared by your skipper.

Travel
We don't include the cost of flights and transfers, if you need help with these then Affordable-Corfu can easily organise them from most european destinations for you.

Clothing
We don't supply deck shoes, or waterproofs, so we suggest that you bring some soft soled shoes with you, that are only worn on board, preferably with a non black sole, and in the rare event of rain, bring a waterproof or shower proof jacket, just to keep the worst off. Those of you joining us either early or late in the season (MAY or OCTOBER), might want to bring a jumper or jacket, just in case we get a chilly evening.

Sun Protection
Although there is a bimini cover on Blue Planet, we strongly suggest that you bring a good sun protection with you, as the sun effect can be magnified by the sea. We have found that clients get very good results with a product called P20 though you may want a higher factor. However, any of the non greasy types of sun protection are very good for you, in that they can generally be applied once even with swimming, and they are good for the other clients, in that you don’t leave greasy marks everywhere.

Sightseeing
The last day (normally Sunday) will take us back to Gouvia Marina on Corfu, it is a day to yourselves away from the boat, so I recommend you take the opportunity to visit the old town with its stunning Venetian architecture, and perhaps look round some of the many restaurants and shops. As an alternative to the old town you may want to hire a car and drive around the island to enjoy its stunning scenery, with its charming mountain villages and tavernas. If this is your choice Affordable-Corfu can help you with preferential car hire rates straight from the marina, or take a shore based excursion, round of golf, horse ride or have fun at a water park! Contact Lynn@affordable-corfu.com for more details!

More info on ‘Blue Planet’

Built in 1998 'Blue Planet' has spent time both in the Caribbean, and the Med, it was here that ‘skipper Rick’ bought her in early 2005. What followed was a memorable trip sailing over one thousand miles from the South of France via Corsica, Sardinia, Capri, Messina then Corfu, where she has spent her last three years.
It was always Rick’s intention to use her as a charter yacht, and it was to that end that he spent the last two years exploring the area around Corfu, finding all the nicest locations and the best restaurants.
'Blue Planet' was designed by the legendary Bruce Farr designer (amongst many other vessels), of Ellen Macarthur’s round the world record winning catamaran.

Legend has it that Odysseus sailed these waters on his journey home from the Trojan wars. Many of the places we visit seem to have changed little since then, the best are still only accessible by sea. Life in the Greek Islands is simple, unhurried, friendly and relaxed. Food and drink play an important part in Greek Culture and as a valued visitor you will be welcomed into the numerous tavernas and restaurants we visit during each trip.

There is nothing quite like a sail boat under full sail, it takes us back to a simpler time when life moved at a much slower pace. If we are lucky, nature provides us not only with a good breeze but also with spectacular shows such as the beautiful and sedate Giant Turtles, leaping Swordfish, and Dolphins who jump and cavort around us, we see this on a fairly regular basis and it is often a highlight of most people’s trip. Unlike some other areas of the Med, our islands are lush and green, bursting with olive groves, palm and cyprus trees.

So whether you decide to join us on a Yoga trip, Sailing course, or you simply want a Yachting holiday with an experienced skipper, Blue Planet and Affordable-Corfu will take you on a relaxing and memorable trip.

For more information about sailing and Yoga holidays with Affordable-Corfu, please send an email to; Lynn@affordable-corfu.com or call the office on 00 30 26610 97722.