Charter your own catamaran and see the Greek islands in a whole new light

Island Hopping Odyssey: Hire your own catamaran and see the Greek Isles in a whole new lightRobert Hardman goes on a flotilla holiday through UK tour operator SunsailHe sails his own boat all day but meets a small fleet at night has photos of animals that will take your breath away April 12, 2023 | Update: 10:39 BST, 12 April 2023

We speed across the Ionian Sea while my wife prepares a perfect lunch of Greek salad , fried halloumi and a glass of iced rose.

Luckily none of this slides around the table, let alone crashes to the floor , even when the wind picks up stronger. It's because we are sailing in a catamaran. And stability isn't its only appeal. This boat is so spacious that it has ottomans on the foredeck. It also has two fridges and even air conditioning.

We opted for a flotilla holiday, which means you sail your own boat all day but encounter a small fleet at night, knowing the flotilla organizer has sorted out the right places to anchor, eat and sleep soundly. If you don't want to sail your own boat, they will find someone to do that for you too.

We booked through Sunsail, the Experts British sailing holidays, which are now approaching their 50th anniversary. It all started with just half a dozen boats in Greece in 1974, the year Abba won Eurovision. And here I am with my family, all these years later, living the Mamma Mia dream as we travel through some of the most beautiful islands in Greece with the...