Vacation Rentals by Owner

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

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

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

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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: 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: 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: Joey R.
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Everyone is on a journey to discover who they are and all they can be. For me the sea has always been a canvas to paint my dreams upon. Indeed, my greatest visions have presented themselves as I was traversing our many oceans. All voyages have captains, crews and boats. You need them to feel safe as if you were still in harbor. And yet you want your sail to capture the rapture of feeling fully alive. The best captain for that experience is Valerie Weingrad. Anchored in deep knowledge of the sea, her passengers are allowed to float unencumbered by any worries. And yet she sails not by the wind but by the stars giving us the sense literally that the sky is indeed the limit. For a woman captaining in often male dominated waters like those of Italy and Greece, she holds her ground and her ropes. And when she is in port its hard to leave the vessel as Valerie and crew have prepared a local feast often trumping than those on land. Her boats are beautiful testaments to the wonder of the sea. And the adventure she will bring to your journey is magical and unforgettable. Joey Reiman, author of Thinking For a Living, sailed with his family throughout the Greek Islands with Captain Valerie Weingrad

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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: Hank D.
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Ahoy matie, After sailing through the Aegean Sea( Greek Isles) with Custom Sailing I can truly say it was one of the best sailing/travel trips I have ever taken, if not the best in my thirty years of sailing. Here are some of the things that made it special: Custom Sailing says it best: we ( the crew ) got to select what islands we wanted to visit, how long we wanted to stay, and what we wanted to do while in a port. You could sail the boat ( helm time, trimming the sheets, tacking ect.) as much as you wanted, pr may be you just wanted to relax in the cockpit with a good book, it was your choice. The knowledge and skill of the Captain............... we can all read a chart but it is quite another thing to sail with someone who has been in and out of the various harbors many times, knows where to anchor, how to anchor Mediterranean style. It was comforting to sail with a Captain who stressed safety, and at all times all of us felt safe and in the most capable of hands. Valerie, our Captain introduced us to some of the locals and we even had some meals with them, as well as being invited to visit their farm/home. I think one would be hard pressed not to enjoy sailing the Greek Isles, but sailing with Custom Sailing made it a truly remarkable, memorable experience. Aloha, Ore.

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Guest: John H.
Date of Stay: 06/14/08 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

"I had the pleasure of sailing the Greek Islands with Valerie about a year ago. Her knowledge of the islands is incredible, her sailing abilities are excellent, she knows where to go in the islands for that extra special "locals only" food, and she speaks the language. no - she didn't ask me to write this. I just know if you on one of her trips you'll have the time of your life and bring back stories that will last for years. I can't say enough great things about Valerie and the Greek Islands. Don't miss it!"

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Guest: Kathy M
Date of Stay: 09/08/07 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Hi Valerie, I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know what a GREAT time I had. We cannot stop talking about. We are definitely going to do it again!!!! Getting our pictures today. We will send you some. I hope all is well.

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Guest: Nancy N
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

All I can say is that my trip to the Greek Islands with Custom Sailing was one of the BEST weeks of my like. Everything was great! The friends, the food, the scenery, the crew. How could you improve? Take a longer trip! It was fabulous. Nancy

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Guest: Barb W
Date of Stay: 06/09/07 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

It's taken us a few days to get back into the swing of things once we got home. Between work and the kids we were ready to get back on the plane and go back! But again, we had a great time! Thank you for your patience and your expert sailing lessons. I'm looking into taking some more sailing lessons this summer so I'll be ready for that marathon sail to Crete next year!

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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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Guest: Susan
Date of Stay: 07/10/04 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Sailing around the smaller Greek islands with our Custom Sailing team, where we could take a quick dip, snorkel to our heart's content, or swim to shore for a visit with the locals, was an incredible experience. Our crew invited us along to some incredible restaurants and our on-board lunches were fabulous!

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