The Aegean Sea can be accessed from the west around Maleas Cape or through the Corinth Canal, the southeasternmost and northwesternmost limits of the sea area covered in this chapter.

In the Saronic Gulf, yachtsman will come across the greatest concentration of yachts in Greece. Most Greece yacht charter vessels are based in the marinas along the Attica prefecture coast, from where a considerable number of charter companies operate.

The Saronic trail to Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses and to nearby harbors and anchorages are popular sailing routes in Greece, so if you wish to avoid the crowds in the summer stay away from the charter yachts' busiest routes and head for the unspoilt harbors and anchorages of the eastern coast of the Peloponnese.

The area covered in this chapter encompasses three significant historical centers. Mycenae, which is located at the head of the Argolic Gulf, was the main center of the Mycenaean period, which succeeded the Minoans and provided material for Homer's epics. Athens was of course the center of Classical Greece, although it is all too easy to attribute too much to this ancient city and forget the contributions to art, oratory, science and commerce from other city - states all over Greece. Lastly, the fleets of Hydra and Spetses were of key importance in determining the outcome of the War of Independence and both Nafplion (Nafplio) and Aegina were at different times the capitals of the newly liberated Greece.