Welcome to MIXit Sailing Holidays

We have been sailing in the Sporades now for 10 years, every year adding a few different stops but keeping to our 3 favourite moorings. We love it, the sailing is generally really good, the scenery is spectacular and the food and wine amazing. It's a challenging , fun and adventures holiday ideal for those that find laying on a beach for more than 2 minutes a total bore. The yachts we have hired have all been well maintained servised and kitted out. We have had some amazing family holiday never to be forgotten. Ian

After many years of sailing and with a few thousand sea miles under our belts, we felt we needed to ‘cut the umbilica’ and to experience sailing as a couple without any accompanying friends. Up until now, the vast majority of our sailing has been with friends in the tidal waters of Scotland. Choosing the charter company took us some time but MixIt proved to be an excellent choice. Booking was relatively straightforward with everything done on-line and via e-mail with Phil Elliott at MixIt. We hadn’t had a proper break for ages so we were really looking forward to the trip, but also with some trepidation as it was to be our first time ‘alone’. We shouldn’t have worried at all. Our yacht was the Sun Odyssey 37 and her owners Kostas and Nellie were wonderfully welcoming, generous with their help and provided a full and practical briefing on their boat. We set off on a bright, sunny, mid-September afternoon; we motored out of Volos and, on a freshening breeze, set full sail across the Pagasitic gulf. We aren’t used to sailing 21st century yachts. In Scotland, getting the main up and reefing involve going forward, being bounced around by wind and waves and doing everything from the mast. The rig on the Sun Odyssey 37 was well-designed, controlled from the cock-pit and so easy to use! Main and Genoa were out and set for course within a couple of minutes and the yacht handled really well and got in the groove quickly. The wind increased steadily knot by knot and, at 21kts of wind, we decided a reef would be sensible as the white horses galloped by while we were on a beat to windward. Reefing was a ‘breeze’, all managed from the cock-pit and with outhaul and reefing lines linked as one. Our sailing in Scotland almost always involves going alongside or occasionally anchoring. Med sailing is much more about anchoring, often with long-lines ashore, and going stern-to on the town quays. We quickly worked out effective procedures to enable the two of us to manoeuvre the yacht for mooring. Working as a pair, we were always grateful to others for helping take stern lines for us, but with such a well-appointed yacht we felt in control all the time. We had some fantastic sails during our week’s holiday and the usual stresses we’ve experienced such as having limited power for fridges and lights didn’t surface. The boat’s excellent appointment is evidence that Kostas has thought carefully about all the practicalities of being at sea and the comfort of the crew. There was a wealth of batteries and a highly effective solar panel which meant the fridge was on all the time plus there were lots of other simple but practical modifications which made the whole experience just wonderful. Over the years we’ve sailed with friends in the Sporades and out of Preveza in the Ionian and, although we’ve had some fantastic times with great friends, this Sun Odyssey 37 has proved to be our favourite yacht. So our thanks go to Phil and MixIt but more especially to Kostas and Nellie for allowing us to experience sailing this yacht!

We chartered the Bavaria 46 Cruiser in May 2018, from Volos. This was the second time we chartered with MixItSailing. As always the service and contact with Phillip and his team was impeccable. The quality and condition of our 10-year old yacht was outstanding. In 25 years of chartering, all over the world, I never chartered a yacht in this superb condition. Volos is an ideal base to sail around the Magnesia-bays and to the Sporades-islands (Volos-airport is only a 20-minute taxi-ride away). We again had a wonderfull time in this sailing area, it’s not overly touristy in contrast to some of the more popular Greek-sailing-areas, and it has a more laid-back atmosphere. Highlights and hints : - BBQ on the beach of Or.Peristera (Peristeri island) - Agnanti restaurant in Glossa (Skopelos) : one of the finest dining-experiences in the last 20years in Greece ! - Diavlos taverna in Palea Trikeri : delicious shrimp-spaghetti. - Stafylos taverna in Volos : wide choice and very tastefull dishes (a 5 minute walk from the quay in Volos). Again MixIt proved to be the best choice to charter a yacht in this area, Grtz from Belgium, Koen Jacobs & crew.

"We spent a wonderful week on the Sun Odyssey 42i starting from Volos. The yacht was well equipped and provided more than enough space for the 6 of us. Everything went very smoothly – from our arrival till our (sad) departure. Thus, we were able to leave Volos early afternoon to explore the beautiful sailing area. Thanks for the great service – from choosing the right boat to waving us goodbye in Volos." Thanks for your support Philipp,