Summary
1. Vacation Decision
When an iBestTravel contributor decided to splurge on a charter yacht vacation, she anticipated a fabulous experience. However, what she didn’t expect was just how much fun she and her family would have.
2. Budget and Itinerary
For 10 years, my best friend and I have teamed up to take our six children on rustic, inexpensive summer trips, leaving the more extravagant fathers at home. However, last summer, with the two oldest kids about to head off to college, everyone agreed it was time to upgrade. This enticement got even the more indulgent spouses interested.
The consensus was to charter a yacht. We budgeted $50,000 for the week, which translates to about five grand per person. This was a considerable amount, but it was to be our group’s last hurrah. Fortunately, one friend, a seasoned yachter, connected me with a broker, while another assisted with charting the perfect itinerary through the Cyclades. By the time we landed in Athens, we felt as glamorous as the stars.
3. Yacht Charter Experience
However, that feeling lasted all of two minutes. Our skipper, Dimitris Altanis, greeted us with unwelcome news: one of the toilets on our yacht was broken, and we would need to wait for hours-long repairs on a mediocre urban beach. Meanwhile, one of the cabin attendants left the boat to attend to a family emergency. Then came the weather report; fierce winds, known as the Meltemi, had picked up, making it impossible to follow my carefully planned itinerary—at least not comfortably. Consequently, there would be no visits to Mykonos, Páros, or Naxos.
Did we make a huge mistake? Not at all. The captain and the remaining crew sprang into action, and by evening, we were on our way aboard the Gioe I. On our first night, we discovered a singular rule of yacht charters: the boat is the destination. Under the moonlight, the staff unfurled floating foam mats off the stern. The 10 of us jumped on and started a playful chicken fight of kids versus adults, and our laughter resonated across the Saronic Gulf.
4. Shore Excursions
Every morning, we dove into the sea from the top deck before enjoying long, breezy breakfasts prepared by chief cook Kalomoira Kaltsa. Afterward, we would either read, play Bananagrams, or try our luck at snorkeling off the swim platform. In the evenings, the Gioe I was often the only vessel anchored in a beautiful cove, which led to spontaneous dance parties.
Despite not being on the yacht the entire time, we did venture ashore. We visited Epidaurus, home to a stunning ancient amphitheater; explored Paralio Astros, with its centuries-old castle; and took a trip to the island of Spetses, where we rode in horse-drawn carriages past the Venetian mansions of the old town. Whatever whimsical plans we devised—such as betting the kids $200 they couldn’t climb to the top of a steep summit—the crew was always there to assist us. They were eager to help with everything from rescuing a cell phone that had become wedged beneath a rock to fetching additional sunscreen for our increasingly bronzed teenagers.
5. Future Plans
The blissful week was initially intended as a final farewell to our two-family adventures; however, this winter, we found ourselves looking into another potential trip, perhaps to Croatia. We might even persuade the fathers to join us on this future escapade.
