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This Spring, we have been busy attending global crewed yacht shows in both Greece and Turkey.
Between us, we have managed to attended the Mediterranean Yacht show (MEDYS) in Nafplio, the East Mediterranean Yacht Show (EMMYS) in Poros, Greece and, finally, the TYBA Yacht show in Gocek, Turkey.
While we were there, we got to inspect over 150 boats varying in type, size and age. We were able to speak with crews and get to know them on a personal level. All of which helped us to know each of the boats we would recommend to you. Attending these shows has been incredibly beneficial. It also allowed us to network with other brokers and attend seminars lead by industry experts. The latest trends are revealed, new ideas exchanged and experiences shared.
Below is a selection of our favourites from the shows in Greece; the MEDYS and the EMMYS.
The yearly MEDYS Chefs’ Competition provides attending chefs with the opportunity to enter and showcase their exceptional skills and creativity. Every year the competing chefs are given a specific challenge and this year the focus was on being environmentally friendly. The 2023 theme was ‘Zero Waste from the Greek Sea’. Chefs had to prepare a dish that used ingredients from the Greek seas in their entirety- no waste.
The winner of the 2023 Chef’s Competiton was Manolis Perros chef of motor yacht ZEN. This came as no surprise as chef Manolis is an exceptional chef who was awarded second place in 2022. We were fortunate enough to speak with Manolis. We were touched by just how much it meant to him to have won. He was incredibly humble and spoke with such passion about the dishes he had produced.
Motor Yacht Zen is a fantastic motor yacht that can accommodate up to nine guests. It has one Master cabin, one VIP cabin and two twin cabins (both convertible). Zen is spacious, comfortable and stylish. The perfect yacht to explore Greece, while enjoying Chef Perros’s delicious culinary delights.
For the East Med Multihull Yacht Show, the Chefs’ Competition was celebrating everything Greece has to offer. The theme for competing chefs was Greek Fusion. “Greek cuisine is characterized by its timelessness and the variety of its recipes. Coming to the present day, we create traditional dishes with new techniques, combining ingredients and cultures from all over the world. Our goal is that, by seeing it, it does not remind us of a traditional recipe, but by tasting it, it awakens our taste memories.”
The 2023 winner of the EMMYS Chef’s Competition was Chef Savvas Lichanidis from catamaran ABOVE & BEYOND. Considered one of Greece’s most promising chefs, Chef Lichanidis has an impressive CV filled with experience working at Michelin star restaurants, prestigious hotels and a selection of charter yachts. In 2022, Chef Lichanidis won first place in the Platinum MEDYS Chef Competition. He is a young chef to watch.
Catamaran Above & Beyond is a 2019 Sunreef 8 catamaran that offers exceptional living space. Up to eight guests can stay on board in four comfortable, modern cabins and soak up the unforgettable panoramic views from the saloon as well as from the on-deck jacuzzi. Sleek and sophisticated, Above & Beyond offers fantastic sailing with no compromise on luxury.
Our yacht show top picks
Despite seeing so many spectacular motor yachts on show in Nafplion, there was a clear stand-out favourite for us: MAMMA MIA. From the outside she looks similar to her impressive competition, however, as soon as you step into the interior it is clear we are looking at something special.
Crisp, white and modern, her interiors washed a sense of calm over you as soon as you stepped foot indoors. Despite their modern styling, Mamma Mia still felt warm, soulful and welcoming with the fabric sofas and tactile wooden flooring. Modern art added pops of colour and interest to the walls without distracting from the main event, the stunning panoramic view out of the windows. The attention to detail was fantastic. Outside, two large dining tables offered ample choice for al fresco dining. There were multiple sun lounging options, some shaded others not. The fly bridge was very spacious and it was easy to imagine groups of charter guests having a fantastic evening watching the sunset from the bar.
The crew were as inviting as the yacht itself. We enjoyed our time on board and despite continuing on to view other beautiful yachts we were unable to get Mamma Mia out of our minds.
What really made sailing yacht AIZU stand out from its competition was its fantastic crew who have been on board for many years. Captain Bjorn has worked on board for over 14 years, 12 as Captain. Hostess Elena has been on board for 6 years and counting. Their expert knowledge and love of the beautiful Aizu was clear to anyone stepping on board to take a closer look. This experienced crew not only know the boat inside and out but also know the perfect sailing routes and itineraries.
Sailing yacht Aizu also stood out because of her wonderful outside areas. The deck area offered many possibilities to any guests visiting, from deck seating to sunbathing. The large outside table was spacious and comfortable; the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal and admire the stunning scenery.
It was a delight to be on board catamaran HYDRUS not only in the show but also for a short familiarisation charter once the show ended. Brand new for the 2023 charter season, Hydrus was immaculate, incredibly comfortable and beautifully designed. The 2023 built Lagoon 55 has 5 cabins (4 doubles and 1 convertible twin cabin) which are all very spacious, especially for a catamaran of its size. The three crew on board were all amazing and I cannot go without mentioning the incredible chef, Babis. Every meal he created was delicious—we’re still dreaming about his salads!
Being able to attend the boat shows is one of the highlights of working within this marvellous industry. Being able to see the boats first hand enables us to feel as our guests would feel when they first step on board. We love to be impressed and we certainly were at the each and every one of the shows we attended!
Freya and Eva, High Point Yachting
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