Jaunted

More recently, Mark Schatzker cruised around Southern Italy, avoiding the tour bus crush on the Amalfi Coast by taking to the water. His hilarious interactions with the locals had us checking airfares to Naples before we'd even finished the article. Can you blame us?

We entered the passageway and around a bend discovered a little beach. Behind it was a village. As discoveries go, it was up there with the scene in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" when the title character first sets eyes on the lost city of Petra.

There was, thank God, a restaurant. We beached our kayaks, walked up to the door and knocked. A handsome Italian man answered, looked down at my fish, and said, "Ah, sgombro."

We then had the following exchange: "Would you be willing to cook the fish?"

"Si. Maybe you would like wine, too?"

"Si."

But before we could book our trip to Italy, another kayaking adventure caught our eye. Budget Travel dug up a great deal on a seven-day trip around the Greek Isles from outfitter Northwest Passage. Everything except airfare is included in the $1,995 package, and the excursion is led by a local guide, who we assume is willing to reveal lots of hidden beaches stocked with handsome men and wine.

Related Stories:
· On Venice's Grand Canal in a Kayak [NYT]
· Stroke of Genius [CNT]
· Greece by Kayak, $1,995 [BT]
· Kayaking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Bob Jagendorf]