jp, will try to find out more about licensing and let you know if I do. My Greek BIL/niece/nephew all hold captains licenses (bareboat) for Greece, they may have some insight. We sailed the Cyclades several years back, we had an "in" with Kiriacoulis thru my BIL; the license issue was not an issue. I suspect many of the outfits have a way around it if you ask them. I'll try to find out more.

I'll say one thing; med-mooring to the quay and walking right across the street to the taverna is way different than the BVI! I kinda liked it - my wife is Greek so I had a translator available. Actually, most of the younger generation speaks English and true sailors can get buy with hand signals.

Sunny, I understand your reservations. I'll ask my BIL about how small businesses are dealing with the banking restrictions (he's an economics professor at Piraeus University) in Athens. I don't know how they do it but most seem to be staying in business. The current situation in Greece is going to affect the Greek people a lot but for outside tourist, not so much.

I know I'm coming off like a Greek cheerleader, and they could sure use the tourist dollars but my first BVI trip was right after 911. Flights were cheap, charters were discounted and we had a wonderful time. Don't believe everything you see in the news and try to take advantage of opportunities when they show up. My sig line is about taking prudent risks - still trying to get the Admiral to let us do some sailing next year when we visit her family again.