We’ve now been in Greece for almost four months, a journey that began in the heart of summer. We knew we would fall in love with Greece again during those warm months. The relaxed pace of life felt like coming home right away. The countless bays and stunning hideaways, the hospitality (with a capital H), and the sense of safety, it all captured us from the start. The nature, the many shades of blue in the sea, the beauty of the small villages… And this summer also brought us a whole fleet of Scabby kids’ boats, which made our months even more joyful.

But now it’s autumn. We’ve sailed on, leaving many friends behind. We were curious how we’d feel about Greece once the weather changed. Would we still enjoy sailing? Would the wind be too strong? Would the charming villages lose their glow? Would anything still be open?

As we’ve discovered, autumn brings a completely different kind of charm. The villages are still beautiful, perhaps even more so now that they’re not overrun with tourists. Not everything is open, but enough to meet our needs. The locals remain as warm and welcoming as ever, happy to slow down after the busy season, yet still genuinely pleased to see you, or at least that’s how it feels.

And the weather? It’s late October, and the temperature is still well above 20 degrees. In the evenings, a light sweater is enough, and shorts are still the norm. The days end earlier, but that only makes evenings cosier. We light a candle, cook inside, and enjoy the quiet. Sailing requires a bit more planning now, watching for good weather windows, but having time makes that possible.

This week we’re heading towards Athens, as I’ll be flying back to be there for my dear friend Janneke. That means fewer choices for when to sail, so we found ourselves on choppy courses, with just a bit too much wind, nothing we couldn’t handle, though we did feel a bit queasy (understatement).

Autumn in the Cyclades means serenity. Fewer charter boats, the same intense colours, and the sun still making generous appearances. We’re still so happy to be here. Let winter come, we’re ready.

Even when the wind shifts, there’s beauty in the journey.

Written by: Mirjam