Northrop & Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters

TAHITI & THE SOCIETY ISLANDS
7 Days

The Society Islands

Day 1: Arrive in Papeete, Tahit i, where your crew will greet and take you to your yacht. Choose to relax in the sun or be guided by a crew member around Papeete's flower and fish markets or to one of Tahiti's secluded tropical waterfalls. As the sun sets, depart for a short sail to the island of Moorea.

Day 2: Upon arrival to Openohu Bay, Moorea, you will immediately be awestruck by its jagged peaks, cloaked by lush greenery and encircled by the deep blue of the ocean and sky. Moorea is Polynesia's second-most popular tourist attraction after Tahiti. Located a mere 12 miles west of the island of Tahiti, Moorea is encircled by a lagoon of translucent green, fringed by an azure blue Polynesian sea. It is the only other major island in the Windward group of the Society Islands besides Tahiti. Spend the day swimming, relaxing, and exploring the island.

Day 3: Sail from beautiful Moorea to Huahine, which means island of the women, arriving just as the sun is setting. Huahine is known as the "Garden Isle". The magical quality of this delightful island is felt almost from the moment you arrive. There are actually two islands that comprise Huahine. A common barrier reef surrounds them and all around both islands are plantations of vanilla, coffee and taro along with groves of breadfruit, mango, banana and papaya. Offshore motus lie inside the reef where watermelons and cantaloupe flourish in the white coral sand.

Day 4: Take a swim in Huahine's reef surrounded harbor before touring the island with crew as guides. Visit a pearl farm set on a coral outcrop on the eastern side of the island and tour the ancient temples. Later, shop in the quaint village for locally produced goods.

Day 5: After breakfast, it's a short sail to the island of Tahaa. The island is known for its production of vanilla pods and as you approach, you catch brief scents of vanilla and coconut. Enjoy a picnic on the beach after a swim in the clear waters. Relax on the yacht or explore the island. Then enjoy cocktails as the sun sets behind the distant island of Bora Bora.

Day 6: Enjoy breakfast before sailing to Bora Bora. Drop anchor outside Hotel Bora Bora before enjoying lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Then take a tender ride to world famous "Bloody Mary's" bar for a cocktail.

Day 7: Circumnavigate Bora Bora on the tender and explore the white sand beaches of the outer reef islands while gazing up at spectacular mountainous peaks. Return to the yacht for more swimming or snorkeling.

Day 8: After breakfast finish some last minute shopping before you disembark at noon to catch your flight back to Papeete.

ITINERAY # 2

ATHENS TO ATHENS

6 Day Itinerary

Kea, Kithnos, Serifos, Spetses, Hydra, Poros

Greece

Day 1: Join your yacht in Athens, unpack and relax as you begin your cruise to Kea, a 40-mile steam. The exceptionally picturesque island of Kea lies 15 miles from the southeast coast of Attica. The mountain masses, which are encountered in most of the Cyclades, are broken up by small valleys sparsely planted with vines and fruit-trees and run right down to the sea, opening out into pretty little bays.

Visit one of the island's peaceful beaches at Pisses, Korissia, and Koundouros. Cruise to the western side of the island into Agios Nikolaos Bay and deep within it to the port of Korissia, which is considered to be one of the safest natural harbors in the Mediterranean.

Day 2: Kithnos inherited its name from Kithno, king of its first settlers, the Dryopians. Thermia is its second name, which has to do with the thermal springs of Loutra.

The small island of Kithnos is mainly mountainous but full of pretty little bays. Chora or Messaria is the island's capital noted for the beautiful churches with their fine wood-carved, sanctuary screens and icons. At the south of the island lies the island's former capital Driopida and in the northeastern lies Loutra, a resort with warm sulphurous spa-waters with its curative qualities.

Sightseeing on Kithnos involves the Church of Panagia Flambouriani, which stands in the village of Flambouria, southwest of the town of Kithnos. According to tradition, there are traces from the steps of the Virgin all the way from the beach to the church. In summer, lilies blooming in the area give off their sweet smell.

In the souvenir shops, one can find beautiful folk art objects, shells, leather products, ceramics and wood-carved objects, as well as woven fabrics with beautiful designs in vivid colors.

Day 3: As your vessel glides into the port of Livadi you'll catch your first glimpse of the towering hills of Serifos flecked with the white, sugar-cube houses of Chora.

The curious rock formations resemble human figures, which call to mind the myth of Danae, Perseus and Medusa, as if these prehistoric inhabitants of the island had been turned to stone. Perseus, the mythological hero that killed the medusa, the terrible monster with a woman's face and hair as serpents was born on this island.

The fortress-like monastery Moni Taxiarchon near the village of Galani, which houses some fine wall paintings and important books and manuscripts, is of special interest.

The village of Panagia commands a panoramic view of the whole island. However, the greatest attraction of Serifos is its magnificent beaches. The beach of Psilli Ammos, which lies about 2 km to the east of Livadi, beckons with the softest and whitest sand. Close to the monastery of Moni Taxiarchon, there is a small village on the north coast named Platis Gialos with Platis Gialos bay, which consists of about three rather small beaches.

Koutalas is a nice village with a beautiful bay and lovely beach, secluded from the winds. It is also the site of the old mine delivery cranes, rusted remnants of which are found on the left side.

Day 4: Spetses is an old fishing village, situated on the picturesque Bay of Argolis, spread out along a lovely beach. Fighters from Crete, who were being persecuted by the Turks, came as refugees to the land of Argolis and settled it in 1831. In its sparkling sea you'll be able to enjoy swimming, fishing and every kind of water sport.

Unforgettable scenes of natural beauty are created by the harmonic combination of crystal clear waters and ageing pine trees. Countless picturesque coves, around the island of Spetses, offer visitors moments of peace and tranquility. Either by land or sea, various forms of transportation make every part of the island fully accessible.

One should not miss visiting the Museum of Spetses, situated at the mansion of Hadziyiannis Mexis (one of the wealthiest leading activists of that era), the main mansion of heroine Laskarina Bouboulina, now a private museum, and the historical monastery of St. Nicholas, where, on April 3, 1821, the locals took the oath "Freedom or Death" and joined the revolution. Visit 'Patrali' near the waterfront in Kounoupitsa for fish dishes. 'Exedra Taverna' on the old harbor front is great for fresh fish and Greek specialties.

Day 5: Hydra is perhaps the most beautifulort village in all of Greece. A tiny harbor, ringed with cafes, restaurants and gold shops, it is surrounded by a village of stone houses and villas that rise up the hills like an amphitheatre. But one of the best things about Hydra is that there are no cars. Everything is transferred and moved by donkey, including groceries, building supplies, people and their luggage. There is a foreign press shop on the waterfront where you can get your International Herald Tribune, USA Today, The Athens News and papers from just about any country.

The Monastery of the Panagia is right in the port, with its entrance by the clock tower.

Day 6: In ancient times, Kalavria was called the island of Poseidon, after the god of the sea. The town of Poros is actually an island unto itself, separated by a small canal from the rest of the island. In ancient times it was two islands, Spheria and Kalavria, which gradually joined by an isthmus of sand. Kalavria, the larger island, was wooded and had lots of water. Spheria, which is now the town of Poros, was a volcano. The approach by sea is probably one of the most beautiful in Greece.

You could start your day by visiting the Archaeological Museum in the port of Poros as well as by taking a walk as far as the clock-tower, the town's highest point and the island's "trademark".

Day 7: Return to Athens to disembark.

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E-Newsletter, May 2010

ONSITE REPORTS from Spring Industry Charter Shows in Greece, Italy and Turkey

Sunrise in Santorini

Once again Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters attended the premier industry crewed yacht charter trade shows for the opening of the Western and Eastern Mediterranean Season for summer 2010. Each show is one week long and NJ Charters has the opportunity to personally inspect and be on board approximately 200 crewed yachts available for charter this coming season in Greece, France, Italy and Spain and Turkey. We revisit with long time crew friends and meet new crews, taste great cuisine from top on board Chefs, and check overall maintenance of yachts we know and love and inspect yachts new to charter. We also hear the latest news on changes or updated to various international charter rules and regulations, as maritime laws change constantly.

We loved the following yachts we just saw at the charter shows that are available for charter this summer:

Greece

Ouranos - 100'
Ouranos