Family Holidays shaped by the wind and the sea
“Sailing, for a long time was the only way I knew how to holiday!”
With over 20 sailing holidays behind me, I’ve explored the coastlines of Greece and Turkey not from the road, but from the water—learning their rhythms, discovering their secrets and finding a unique kind of holiday experience in their bays and harbours. Having also had villa and hotel holidays on the islands I feel I have a handle on this part of the world! Skiathos, Parga, Paxos, Crete, Corfu, Skopolos, Fethiye – the lost goes on!!
Greece: A Changing Landscape
I grew up sailing the waters of Greece—from the green Ionian and Sporades to the sun-bleached Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf. These were the islands of my childhood: sleepy fishing villages, quiet anchorages, endless swims. Over the years, I’ve watched them change. What was once a remote cove may now house a trendy beach bar; once-hidden harbours are now filled with catamarans in August.
And yet, if you know where to go—or when—Greece still delivers her magic. You just need to navigate it carefully.
Turkey: Timeless and Understated
The Turkish coastline remains remarkably untouched in comparison. Sailing from Bodrum to Marmaris, or further down to Fethiye and Antalya, you’ll still find pine-scented coves, traditional gület boats bobbing on the water and sleepy towns serving the same meze and stuffed vine leaves as they did decades ago.
Turkey’s charm lies in its simplicity. Days are shaped by the sun, the wind and the food. Mornings begin with a swim off the stern; evenings end under a blanket of stars, anchored in a peaceful bay.
“In Greece, you’ll fall in love with the islands. In Turkey, you fall in love with the lifestyle.”
