Best ever!

Guest: drpetr (Kelowna, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 12/27/11

My wife and I sailed (bare boated) before (British Virgin Islands, Gulf Islands in Canada etc). We took our family and spent a great week with Valerie and Maria bumping around Greek Islands. What a great experience! Valerie is a fantastic skipper, and one can see it in the way the Greek skippers treat her - with respect and warm friendship. Greek men are generally not much for women showing them how it's done, but Valerie has earned their upmost respect by her skill. She is easy going and looks after the "crew" along with Maria...who is warm, funny and caring. Our kids loved our stops in quiet bays with deep, warm, green-blue water. We were all looking forward evenings, where we explored and ate another great meal...If one is looking for a relaxing vacation in a beautiful place, without the crowds, traffic, crowded pool..this is it! Our only regret was...that we did not book 2 weeks (or more). We will definitely go back to sailing, and definitely with Valerie.

Owner response:Hi Petr, Thanks for your kind words! Maria and I loved having you guys on board! We hope it works out this summer and we get to spend time with you again. Happy New Year!!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

An Amazing Trip!

Guest: danaeweb (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 08/19/11 Review Submitted: 10/11/11

We sailed with Captain Valerie and hostess Maria August 2011. We had the time of our lives! A truly wonderful experience recommended for all. We felt right at home aboard Maya and I am still trying to replicate Maria's tasty recipes! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves everywhere we went and cannot stop talking about our trip. Hoping to sail again soon with these girls!!!!

Owner response:Thanks Greg! We loved having you and your amazing family on board. We hope to see you again soon. Maybe the Caribbean??

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

Amazing experience!

Guest: Pam (Syracuse, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 10/01/11

We've traveled a lot - we've even been to Greece before - but this was the first time we've sailed in Greece, and I would never want to see it another way after this trip. We invited our adult children on this trip. It turned out to be the most amazing family experience. Lots of time together, but also lots of time in ports, where we could go off in separate directions to explore. It's even amazing how many different nooks there are on a 50-foot sloop for curling up alone with a book. Val was terrific - I had asked not to have the chef so that we could take more people (expecting to do any breakfasts or lunches myself - dinners are in port). Val even took that over, making Greek salads I'll never forget and bringing back delicacies from the local markets. The schedule was ours to make - if we wanted to stay longer on an island, that was fine with Val. But the boat - aaaahhhh. I have never slept so well as I did on that sloop. And there's something about BEING right there - having coffee in the early morning mist on deck in Hydra while the villagers are beginning to bring their donkeys to town and the fishing boats are starting to head out for the day. Coming back to the boat after dinner at a taverna with the moon shining over the harbor and the water gently slapping against the side of the boat. It's a whole experience, not just an accommodation. (Thanks, Val - I would sail with you again anytime, anywhere!!)

Owner response:Hi Pam, Thank you for your kind words. We loved having you and your family on board! Don't forget the excellent song you recorded that is available on the Custom Sailing YouTUbe site! Would love to see you this winter in the Caribbean for another sailing experience.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

Great sailing!

Guest: Debbie (Woodstock, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/10/10

I sailed with Custom Sailing 3 times in the Caribbean and this was my first time in the Greek Islands. This was amazing! The boat was clean and well provisioned and everything was in working order, as always with Custom Sailing. The crew was knowledgeable and super friendly. We changed our plans a couple of times and it was no problem! The best part was going to the islands and meeting Captain Valerie's friends. We were treated to dinner by a fisherman, stocked up on fresh feta and olives from a farmer and were given juicy fresh figs and wine from another farmer. We felt like we were visiting friends and not just tourist stepping on to an island. I highly recommend Custom Sailing and will be back!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

A True Dream Vacation

Guest: lulu (atl)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/05/10

I have sailed with Custom Sailing in Trinidad, Puerto Rica, BVI as well as the Greek Isles. I've traveled from Maine to Spain and often disappointed with the whole experience. Custom Sailing always exceeded my expectations by far.Captain Valerie is a gracious hostess, seasoned sailor, 5 star chef and fabulous tour guide all in an intimate setting. By far, I get more WOW for my hard earned money. I always come home with a great tan,unbelievable photos, salty stories of sailing the high seas, hands on history lessons and fond memories of the crew. If you work hard, you deserved to go. I promise, as soon as you return, you will be trying to figure out how to go back!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

Guest: Michael M (-)
Date of Stay: 01/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/05/10

If I can only do one big sailing trip I year, it's gotta be with Capt. Val of Custom Sailing Ltd!! Having sailed with her twice out of Antigua and also from St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, I can honestly say, these trips have been, all at one time- the most fun, relaxing, exciting sailing vacations imaginable. Whether you want to learn, be part of the crew or just hang out as deck candy, it's all up to you. It's awesome to watch Capt. Val do her precision stern-to docking as the dock hands call out, " Here comes the best captain in the islands! Valerie's trips incorporate a nice combination of overnights at popular harbors, along with anchoring out away from it all and everything in-between. Want to go conching and have homemade, or shall I say vesselmade, conch salad for dinner? How about fishing? Valerie's known to occasionally put out a line as we sail and feed her crew the freshest catch of the day! I won't even mention her diving and spearing abilities!! Go ahead-- you KNOW you want to do this sailing thing. Sign up with Capt. Val, the most fun, competent, confident captain around.

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Guest: Cynthia G (-)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Capt Valerie Weingrad did everything possible to make our trip an experience we would remember for a lifetime - from sharing her treasured favorite places on earth with us; the hidden jewel seaside towns and local fish taverns to scrumptious local baked goods. We were mezmorized by the exquisite sunsets and quiet morning sails along side dolphins. Valerie is an exceptional and experienced captain and she knows the locals, is knowledgable about the islands and best spots and we especially loved that she genuinenly enjoys sharing her favorite things with us. She was a delight to be with!!

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Guest: Peggy B (-)
Date of Stay: 08/08/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Valerie, I just wanted to let you know that we all had a wonderful time on our trip in Greece. Thank you so much for making it such a memorable trip.

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Guest: John P (-)
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

The name CUSTOM Sailing says it all. Valerie and her 1st mate made our trip feel like we planned it ourselves. They were always in touch with what we wanted to do, how we were feeling and our comfort level for the conditions that we encountered. It felt like we were on a vacation with good friends, not us as the customer and they the crew. We all had great fun getting to know each other. Sharing a relaxed breakfast at whatever hour we woke to a wonderful dinner escorted and entertained by them. At the same time we felt relaxed to make our own schedule. It was a great vacation, very relaxing and comfortable, definitely a must do journey.

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Guest: Robert C (-)
Date of Stay: 09/11/04 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

I have sailed twice in The Greek Islands with Custom Sailing. On both trips there were four passengers aboard, plus Valerie and crew. Firstly they are very competent sailors, with excellent knowledge of local conditions in the Greek Islands. On both occasions I sailed aboard a 49 foot Bavarian sloop, the vessels were both new and in excellent condition. Life aboard was extremely pleasant, and you could choose doing whatever you were comfortable with. I enjoyed working the vessel, while others liked to relax. The food aboard was excellent and healthy. Each night we ate ashore in a local (non tourist) restaurant. We had the opportunity each evening to discuss the next day's course and destination, and this was the best aspect of the trip. Some times we anchored in a sheltered cove, and schnorkled, while on another occasion, we visited the island of Santorini, which is described as the world's most beautiful island. So we had a choice of what we wanted to do. We were not interested in the touristy night club scene, and we sailed accordingly. The trips I took with Custom Sailing were two of the best trips I have taken anywhere.

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