boatinternational.comADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK; ALAMY
galleries. It’s all a stone’s throw from the harbour,
where the Greek Yachting Association hosts the
annual Mediterranean Yacht Show.
This year’s event saw more owners than ever
register their interest in attending, and while
fewer boats were actually on display than the
previous year, it was only to make room for
larger yachts, such as 85-metre O’Ptasia. As
I peruse the boats before setting out on the trip on board Celia, I keep
hearing from brokers and captains how the Greek charter market is
booming. I’m told many new yachts are joining the Greek charter fleet- including the previously private Celia, making her charter debut
after a thorough refit that has left her looking brand new – and how
this year is predicted to be the best yet since Greece took a double-
barrel hit with a financial and refugee crisis. “The Americans are back!”
says Celia’s Captain Nasos Grammatikos. As an American, I laugh
that our arrival en masse should be greeted with such acclaim, but I
understand his sentiment. Some owners and charterers remained
loyal to Greece throughout the troubles, but many more clients fled
the scene until things settled down. Now that calm appears to have
arrived.
It’s not just yachting people who are reclaiming Greece. Onshore,
the new Four Seasons Astir Palace has opened just outside Athens,
while the incredible Amanzoe luxury resort, on the east coast of
Greece’s Peloponnese region near Porto Heli, is expanding its palatial
grounds, with new villas due to open this year. There is also a new wave
of money coming from abroad. “We are seeing a bigger influx of
foreigners buying homes in Greece, and quite a few investments
Delivered in 2006,
luxury yacht Celia
can accommodate up
to 12 guests with seven
crew and has a top
speed of 28 knots(^185) I