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When to Go
GREECE: The cruising season runs from March to early November. Spring weather can be cool, or delightfully warm during the day, but cool at night. The water is not warm enough for swimming until early to mid-May but spring offers a fantasy of colors in the ubiquitous wildflowers that cover the islands.
Tip: All seasons in the Mediterranean are great but a great secret to traveling there is taking advantage of the off-season lower rates and weather conditions. There are advantages to every month but we believe our clients would like going when there are fewer people and they can really experience the country.
Best of all, there are relatively few tourists around. You can see Greece the way it "should" be seen.
May, June, September and October offer good winds, although variable, and summertime temperatures during the day with pleasant nights. One can swim through the middle to end of October comfortably. July and August are subject to stronger winds in the main group of islands, the Cyclades, but not everyday. Our assistance in itinerary planning can help to avoid the main force of the winds. Since most charterers come to Greece in the spring and fall, we actually offer a discount on certain boats during July and August. (Call us for details.) Late fall in Greece is positively delightful. The crowds are relatively non-existent, the temperatures can be warm and Greece returns to a regular routine. Weather can vary but the serenity is most appealing.
TURKEY: Turkey’s weather patterns are similar to those of Greece. The Turkish coast does not get the full force of the Meltemi winds but they do get Meltemis in the mid summer period that wrap around the headlands. So, for most of the summer, expect north or northwest winds. May, June, September and October are best.
CROATIA: As for Croatia, their weather is a little cooler than that of Greece but summertime beautiful and moderate from May to October. Winds can be from a variety of directions and are moderate but fluctuate daily. In midsummer, expect occasional stronger blows of the Bora wind which lasts for a few days at a time, from the north.
ITALY: In Italy, the weather is warm and sunny for most of May through October. The winds are moderate as well, but you can have days of calm and days of stronger wind, occasionally but rarely, accompanied by rain or heavy clouds. The Sirocco from the south or Mistral from the north can cause wind conditions around 20-27 knots, but are only occasional. It varies year to year so it is impossible to generalize about when to expect such winds. For the most part, however, winds are low to moderate -- up to 15 knots.
SPAIN: The Balearic Islands and Southern France are, for the most part similar to Italy. They are bit more exposed to the Sirocco, however, and may have stronger weather overall intermixed with moderate and calm days. Here too the season runs from April/May to October..
