To give you a flavour, one potential itinerary you might choose is:

NIDRI - SCORPIOS ISLAND - VATHI PORT - SPARTOCHORI PORT - THILIA - DESSIMI - TRANQUIL BAY (GENI) - VLICHO. (See inset map).

Setting out at around 9am (earlier if you can muster!), the sea is often relatively still first thing and provides an ideal opportunity to motor to Scorpios Island where there are two beaches which can be used by the public. The journey to Scorpios is 1.5 nautical miles (a nautical mile (nm) in case you did not know is 15% greater than a standard mile).

From here, a further 2.5 nm you can reach the main port of Meganissi Island, Vathi. No more than about 2000 people inhabit Meganissi and it possesses a charm and serenity which is quite singular. There are several places to have breakfast/lunch including the Rose Garden and Georges' and you will usually be joined by one or two friendly village cats!

From Vathi, to the west and only a short distance is another small port called Spilia. More places to eat and watch yachts. It is an idea to arrive before the midday heat is up, as the walk to the hilltop village of Spartochori is well worth the effort. Narrow streets wide enough for only mules and cycles, bougainvillea and the singing of canaries lend a distinctive air to this sleepy yet beautiful village. From atop there are commanding views across to Scorpios Island and the mainland of Greece and go down well with a cool glass of beer or ouzo while you relax.

We continue our trip from Spartochori to Thilia Island in the middle of the Meganissi Strait, approximately a further 30 minutes on from Spilia. Several pleasant beaches are awaiting you including one on the west side where you may see hawks being mobbed overhead by nesting rooks. On the south side a small beach provides a good bridgehead from which to snorkel, although mind the very bold rabbit (a domestic one escaped?) which will help itself to your salad while you are swimming given the chance!

You may decide to have your barbecque here or journey onwards across the straight to Dessimi where local tavernas provide a relaxing lunch. Moor up, have a cool swim, investigate the nearby cave or just "chill out" to use an English idiom.

Returning later in the afternoon we travel northwards along the Meganissi Strait passing several more beaches and once again the islands of Scorpios and Madouri. Taking a left at Nidri harbour is the aptly named Tranquil Bay, a favourite mooring place of yachts and close to the waterfront tavernas in Geni. Across the bay is the small town of Vlicho. Less developed than Nidri but peaceful and quiet along the backstreets where local villagers can be seen cooking lamb or pork on open charcoal fires.

Of course, you are the captain and free to plan wherever you wish to go within the nautical chart area.