Greece, 2027. Matto family's next chapter at sea, with one more on board.
The Brief
What we're weighing this against
- Blue Heaven in July 2024 came to €37,760 all-in for 9 guests. This selection runs about €50,000 to €118,000 all-in, depending on the yacht and the week.
- You're looking at June 26 to July 17, and you'd like to catch Wimbledon, which runs June 28 to July 11. Each yacht is only free for certain weeks, shown on its card, so I've kept to the ones that sit well around it. Where a week runs across June and July, I've pro-rated the rate.
- The Ionian yachts start from Zakynthos, Kefalonia or Corfu, so there's no repositioning fee. The Athens yachts have none either, and they cruise the Saronic Islands and the nearby Cyclades, if weather is cooperative.
- Every yacht has at least 5 cabins, so there's room for everyone.
- On every yacht here, the baby's crib only fits in the master cabin.
The Ionian
The Ionian is a different Greece — greener, quieter, and calmer than the Cyclades. No meltemi here, just pine-covered hills, turquoise coves, and water that stays still. This is Odysseus's sea, the one he spent ten years trying to get back to — and it still feels like the kind of place worth slowing down for. Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Meganisi, Ithaca: short hops, long lunches, nothing rushed.
Serenissima
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€4,110), at charterer's discretion.
Ariva
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€4,800), at charterer's discretion.
Elly II
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€6,900), at charterer's discretion.
1 master with a king bed and 4 queen guest cabins, all with private facilities.
Kefalonia to Kefalonia is also possible, with a shared repositioning fee (to be confirmed).
Alina
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€9,000), at charterer's discretion.
1 master with a king bed and 4 queen guest cabins, all with private facilities.
Larger, in the Ionian
About €205,100 all-in (€140,000 + 6.5% VAT + 40% APA). A 45ft chase boat is included. View brochure →
Free from July 6, starting in Zakynthos, Lefkada or Corfu (to be confirmed). About €131,900 all-in (€90,000 + 6.5% VAT + 40% APA). The repositioning fee is being shared with another charter, so I'll confirm that figure. View brochure →
Athens and the Saronic
You asked about gulets, so here are the ones I'd show you. Greece is a catamaran and motor yacht destination, unlike Turkey, where gulets are the norm. These are all lovely, and if you'd like to see motor yachts out of Athens, I'm happy to send options.
Papa Joe
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€3,700 to €4,200), at charterer's discretion.
Virtuoso
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€4,360 to €4,900), at charterer's discretion.
Good Life
+ crew gratuity, customary at ~10% of charter fee (~€6,600 to €7,700), at charterer's discretion.
1 master, 2 VIP and 2 double.
Larger, from Athens
I inspected her in May 2026 and she's one of my favorite family yachts. The crew is five-star, led by Captain Vasilis and Chief Stewardess Lydia. June (€79,000) comes to about €115,700 all-in, and July (€89,000) comes to about €130,400 (6.5% VAT, 40% APA). View brochure →
I inspected her in May 2026. She's family friendly, and I really liked her captain George, who is super personable. About €145,000 all-in. View brochure →
About €121,400 in June and €135,700 in July (€85,000 or €95,000 + 7.8% VAT + 35% APA). View brochure →
Quick comparison
| Yacht | Area | Length / Year | Cabins | Crew | Charter fee | Est. all-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serenissima | Zakynthos | 20.36m · 2019 | 5 | 3 | €41,071 | ~€54,000 |
| Ariva | Corfu | 20.37m · 2023 | 5 | 4 | €48,000 | ~€68,200 |
| Elly II | Kefalonia | 22m · 2027 | 5 | 4 | €69,000 | ~€90,700 |
| Alina | Kefalonia | 24m · 2026 | 5 | 5 | €90,000 | ~€118,400 |
| Papa Joe | Athens | 35.1m · 2007 | 5 | 6 | €37,000 to €42,000 | ~€50,000 to €56,800 |
| Virtuoso | Lavrion | 30.5m · 2003 | 6 | 6 | €43,643 to €49,000 | ~€64,200 to €72,000 |
| Good Life | Athens | 39m · 2021 | 5 | 6 | €66,000 to €77,000 | ~€97,700 to €114,000 |
Where you could go
The Ionian
North to south, Corfu to Zakynthos.
Lush and green with a Venetian-French-British history; Corfu Town's Old Fortress and Esplanade Square are worth the stop.
White sand and olive groves on Paxoi; impossibly turquoise water at Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxoi next door.
Called "the Caribbean of Greece": turquoise water, fjord-like bays, and a handful of tiny islands to duck behind for the night.
One of the Ionian's best-kept secrets, with clear water at Elia Bay, dinner in Vathi, glimpses of the old Onassis family home on nearby Skorpios.
The largest Ionian island, with Myrtos Beach, the Venetian-harbor village of Fiscardo, and the real-life backdrop for Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Odysseus's mythical home, mountainous, beach-lined, with sweeping harbor views from the capital, Vathi.
Golden beaches, blue caves near Cape Skinari, and the legendary Navagio (Smugglers' Cove).
The Saronic
These islands sit close to Athens and close to each other, so the hops are short.
The easy first stop, close to Athens.
Pistachios, and the Temple of Aphaia.
No cars, and a lively harbor.
Pine woods and horse-drawn carriages.
An old Venetian town, with the Palamidi fortress above it. Epidaurus is a short drive away.