Controversially my favourite memory of sailing in Greece doesn’t begin in Greece. It doesn’t even particularly involve sailing if I’m being honest.
It begins as a young child in the wet and windy Lake District where every weekend, from April to October, along with my family we ‘did boaty stuff’. For us children this involved swimming in Ullswater (even on the hottest day only the top two inches of water made it to a balmy 14 degrees), building dens ashore amongst the trees, reading Famous Five books and racing in our inflatable dinghies.
I then discovered that ‘boaty stuff’ could be a job…
I then discovered that you could do ‘boaty stuff’ for a job, somewhere where the sun shines more than it rains…
I then discovered Fleewinter did luxury ‘boaty stuff’…
Memories of Making Memories
I can guarantee that a sailing holiday, especially if it is your first, will be a memory that lasts a lifetime. The joy of being crew on Argentous, Aurous and Lunous, was that I got to witness memories being made every day.
The wonder on faces, both younger and older, as you sail towards an island where out of nowhere a tiny inlet in the cliff face opens up into a picture-perfect postcard. Only on a yacht holiday do you get the perspective of seeing a village for the first time from the water.
Teaching a child to swim for the first time, teaching a grown up to snorkel for the first time. Dad’s first taste of feta, Young James’ first enjoyment of vegetables! Seeing Mum with a big smile on her face being whizzed around on a ringo for her 60th birthday, seeing families crying with laughter and joy at Mum being whizzed around on a ringo for her 60th birthday.
The list goes on and on. Memories that you make can be the most special and they have become my own special memories too….so thank you.
Memories of Meeting my Person
I suppose I can’t put this too far down the list because I did in fact meet my husband on a yacht sailing in Greece.
Our eyes locked over a chicken gyros in Meganissi or was it a tuna steak in Lefkada? And the rest as they say is history.
We were lucky enough to be able to work together on board Aurous, Argentous and Lunous and shared many memories of exploring islands, sailing over azure waters, and there might have been a couple of wonderful mezes…or ten…ten thousand.
Memories of Quieter Days
Covid was a very strange time for everyone and life working in the travel or yachting industry was uncertain. Once travel became an option for a short Summer season we were able to experience and appreciate a different side to the Ionian.
We enjoyed dinners at the beautiful Ambelonas Vineyard where rustic charm meets Corfiot cuisine all washed down with wine grown on the estate…often booked weeks in advance but suddenly with availability for both us and our guests.
Our own private beaches with plenty of space for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding…or simply enjoying being in distanced company of other yachts, guests and crew alike.
And to your good selves. The happiness, the joy and quite frankly the relief of seeing you join your yacht and enjoying a bit of escapism on your new home for the week.
Memories of Nature’s Acrobats
There’s nothing quite like seeing dolphins riding your bow waves. They often join the yacht on sails from Corfu to Paxos or Kefalonia to Kastos playing in the water as the bow of the water creates gentle ripples.
I will never forget the first time I saw them and realised they did ‘proper dolphin stuff, like you see on the TV!’. I don’t know who was more excited me, or our guests!
And how lucky were the guests in the below photograph!
Memories of all that ‘boaty stuff’
Sailing is great. Greece is great. But ‘boaty stuff’ in Greece is just the best.
I always say that a sailing holiday is about so much more than just sailing. It is a lifestyle that once you’ve experienced you will be back for more (don’t worry we have options!).
It’s waking up to a new location every day. It’s being looked after by your amazing crew. It’s exploring beaches, caves and inlets by paddleboard.
It’s sampling the freshest fish from traditional tavernas. It’s watching amazing sunsets from the bow of your yacht. It’s counting shooting stars in the clearest of night skies.
It’s waterskiing, it’s wakeboarding, it’s swimming, it’s paddleboarding, it’s reading, it’s sunbathing, it’s eating, it’s drinking, it’s laughter, it’s fun, it’s relaxing…
…It’s Luxury Sailing in Greece.
