Dragon Drascombe

Lugger Sailing in the Greek Ionian

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Newsletter January 2021

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A very warm, welcome and Happy New Year to friends old and new for this coming year of 2021, a year so long awaited and needed after the past 10 months of 2020.

It has been a period in which we have all experienced in some form or other personal or family hardships, illnesses and bereavements of family and friends, work and business issues brought on by the pandemic and for many loneliness and isolation from friends and family. Indeed it has been a tough time for us all

To those especially who had their Lugger holidays cancelled and opted to have them rolled forward to this coming summer, my sincere thanks for your understanding and for keeping the booking alive. You will not regret supporting Dragon Drascombe, you will have a wonderful holiday this summer with us. By keeping your bookings rolled forward it has enabled me to leave deposit funds with the accommodation providers. For them this has been a lifeline since tourism in Greece this past summer has been absolutely dire!

To my good friends Nikos, Fotis and Babis who have maintained and looked after the boats in my absence at the Apostolos boat yard, a big thank you. Helen Morgan, HMMS Marine Management, has battled tirelessly over the period updating my permits and licences, again in my absence. Supporting these great people and accommodation providers could not have been achieved without YOUR SUPPORT.

So, as aptly put by Jon Hilsden and family, booked for this coming August … ROLL ON 2021!

Let’s now cast aside the torrid times of 2020 and focus on the good news for 2021. We have the great news of the rolling out of various vaccines worldwide – yes of course not a quick fix, but a positive start. The resolution with the EU on Brexit is moving into a new stage, so we can continue our international relationship and friendship with the countries across the water. Let’s now start to plan for ‘Sailing In The Sun’ 2021.

Greece and the sun will be awaiting and welcoming us all this coming summer, to enjoy their culture, hospitality and moreover the opportunity to sail these Luggers in such wonderful settings. Why not make a New Years Resolution, to visit the Greek Ionian in summer 2021?

We will be open to receive you from 1st May. The overland drive for Bengy and myself will start in early April, allowing me time to complete cleaning and antifouling of the boats prior to launching, ready for my  early May bookings. So looking forward to it now!

Please take a look at the updated website for availability and package costs; it’s a great selection.

Geni Gardens

There are 2-bed apartments along with larger apartments for up to 4 persons.  Still available are the much-sought-after Family Studios.

The Villa Eleanor

For the large group or family where accommodation for up to 6 persons is required, this is a splendid secluded and private villa.

The George Studios

A water’s edge venue with a private pontoon, fronted by its shaded garden and offering great studio rooms. A brilliant easy-going venue with access to the Meganissi Channel.

Cottage Katerina

This will be the first year we have had the opportunity to rent this incredible water’s edge traditional Greek cottage. It provides accommodation for 4 persons, and has a very private and secluded garden which takes you down to your Lugger moored on the stone jetty. A perfect stepping stone for your sailing adventures, it’s a must for those wanting a peaceful, self-contained family break.

There is a change to our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for 2021 bookings, to reflect the times we are going through and to give you peace of mind in the event of cancellations related to COVID-19.

These additional refund conditions apply if you have to cancel for any of the following reasons:

1.    A certified COVID-19 illness with the booked party member or his or her partner 
2.    The airline booked by the client has cancelled the flight due to COVID-19 
3.    The Greek government has closed its border to holiday travellers.

The 50% deposit is fully refundable up to 30 March 2021, if the cancellation is due to the reasons listed above.

From 31 March 2021 until the time final payment is made, 10 weeks before commencement of the holiday, you can still cancel due to the reasons listed above and receive 70% of the deposit back.

Once final payment has been made, if you have to cancel for any of the reasons listed above, we offer reimbursement of 25% of the price paid to us for the holiday.

Again to you all, have a great New Year, keep safe and looking forward to meeting up this coming summer

Phil. Osborne
Dragon Drascombe Ltd

Newsletter October 2020

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What an inspiring image to lift ones thoughts to next summer and your holiday ‘Sailing Luggers In The Sun’. Yes, this is what we have all missed and been deprived of this past spring and summer.

The calm mornings at Geni, the sun not quite over the ridge to the east and ahead is the steady motoring over to Vliho in the Lugger to visit Hari at his bakery to collect the fresh bread and pastries for breakfast on the balcony. The remainder of the day will just evolve.

One thing you can be assured of is the tranquil atmosphere and the lack of urgency at the apartment, leave whenever you wish and nothing is too much trouble. That’s how holidays with a boat should be.

So with that in mind and setting aside the dreadful months that have passed for all people around the world, let us now throw in some optimism for the summer of 2021. Take this opportunity to book a Lugger, transfers and apartment package with us, and get the best of available dates and prices.

Geni Garden Apartments

Our Geni Garden base apartments offer a variety of 2-bed to 4-bed apartments. It is well organised and a peaceful area of Geni. Overlooking Vliho Bay, its garden takes you down to the water’s edge, with a private mooring pontoon for your Lugger, and the delightful garden affords numerous quiet areas to relax in the shade. It’s an experience not to be missed.

For a 2-bed self catering apartment I have The George Studio apartments. Set on the water’s edge with its private jetty, the apartments have a shaded garden to enjoy where you can watch the passing boats leaving and entering Vliho Bay. It is  quietly and efficiently run by Kyriaki and her family, who very quickly becomes everyone’s friend. A delightful venue to enjoy

Villa Eleanor, whilst having a small jetty for your Lugger on the shoreline, is set back in an elevated position overlooking Vliho Bay. The garden and the wooded area offer great privacy to the Villa and its outdoor terrace and pool. Following a recent re-development the Villa now has accommodation for 6 persons in 3 bedrooms, just great for families to be self contained and private.

The George Studio Apartments

This is just a small selection of the dates and apartment types currently available:

Geni Gardens

May 12 to 23, 10 nights, in a large sea-facing apartment with my Lugger and transfer package, for 2 persons – £1980
June 2 to 9, a family apartment for 4, in 2 bedrooms with the Lugger and transfer package – £2170
August 29 to September 5 in a large sea-facing apartment with the Lugger and transfer package, for 2 persons – £2250

The George Studio Apartment

June 6 to 13, an upper level sea-facing apartment with my Lugger and transfer package, for 2 persons – £1700
August 8 to 15, a ground floor apartment in the garden with the Lugger and transfer package for 2 persons – £2110
September 12 to 19, an upper level sea-facing apartment with the Lugger and transfer package – £1850

The Villa Eleanor

All based on 6 persons with the Lugger and airport transfers
May 16 to 23 – £3350
June 20 to 27 – £3640
August 1 to 8 – £3980

There is a change to our ‘Terms and Conditions’

  1. With a confirmation of booking there is just a 30% deposit required. This deposit is fully refundable up to 30th January 2021, if the nature of the cancellation is due to flight changes, government travel restrictions or illness.
  2. The balance of the 50% deposit is then due on the 30 January 2021.
  3. The remaining 50% will be required 10 weeks before commencement of the holiday.
  4. All remaining details in our past T&Cs remain the same.

For those of you who have individual requirements in dates or to incorporate a two-venue sailing holiday, with one week at Frikes Bay Suite, Ithica and the second at Geni then please contact Phil. Osborne directly for guidance.

For family and groups who wish to incorporate land-based activities, such as mountain biking, hill walking, historical exploration tour and paddle boarding / kayaking, all can be organised locally to be combined with your Lugger ‘Sailing in the Sun’ holiday.

Please do not hesitate to call Phil on +44 7812 562579 if you have specific needs or information.

Don’t miss our next newsletter…

We’ll have an article on an exciting new option to take an overland rail journey from the UK through Central Europe to join Dragon Drascombe and Sail In The Sun. This is a great way to see the Swiss Alps, Venice, and the eastern Adriatic Coast, before stepping onto the overnight ferry to Igeomenitsa – a sailing holiday with a difference!

There will also be an update on the best flight prices available, and I’ll share my memories of Geni and Vliho Bay in the early morning whilst waiting for the wind to set in.

My very best for 2021 Lugger Ionian Sailing with Dragon Drascombe

Phil. Osborne
Dragon Drascombe Ltd

Newsletter June 2020

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Welcome back everyone from this very difficult and stressful period since I last met with you in my January Newsletter.

The past 3 months has seen so much change, not gradually but applied within days, inflicting life-changing events for some, and throughout society devastating influences to ones work and family lives; sadly I fear this will be long term.

In normal periods I find I am able to keep up my monthly Newsletters in the knowledge I have data and local information that is relevant. However this period has thrown that completely into touch, I have had no control whatsoever over weekly or even daily events.

As of early March it was becoming evident that the Pandemic was an issue, but not yet a serious problem, but this started to change very quickly and I found it quite concerning. To safeguard my clients and my company, I corresponded with my early summer clients on 25 March, in an attempt to give them some advanced thoughts on their pending booking for May and June. These were based on the UK and international advice at the time, which sadly was not to be relied upon.

To protect my present clients’ bookings and deposits, I proposed this advanced thought to them. Firstly, that if they could it would be possible to roll their booking forward to later in the summer, and a few opted for this. Secondly, if they felt this coming summer would present them with a either a health issue, or the dates would not be good, they could take up their booking in 2021 instead. There would be no package cost difference and my apartment and Villa providers would give them preferential booking dates for next summer.

I must add that a high proportion of clients have been extremely supportive and have opted to roll forward their ‘Sailing in the sun’ booking to 2021. My personal thanks, along with the gratitude from the apartment providers, go to these clients who have supported us all through this trying time.

It is now 1st June, my hair is far too long and out of control, Bengy my Greek companion male dog is wondering why we haven’t left Wales yet for the drive overland to his native country. My winter cabinetry work at Dragon Design has only just been resurrected, however the current project is now some 5 months behind schedule. So it has not been easy to navigate.

So, let’s look on the bright side. With recent news that the borders with Greece and other Northern Europe countries are being opened with certain constraints, the likelihood is that the UK will be on the Greek Tourism shopping list for the end of June, and Airlines are making steps to bring back international flights. This is still conjecture, but on that basis I have applied to my UK and Italian ferry companies for a late July booking for my Camper so I can be at my Lugger base in Nidri for the 1st August. This will be in time to meet my early August families and launch the Luggers for the remainder of the season, this finishing on 24th October

To complement this approach to my revised season, I have attached a list of current availability at Geni Garden Apartments for September and October. There is still availability at the George Studio Apartments and the Gialos Apartments, details on request.

There will be a significant change, for this summer period only, to the Terms and Conditions. These changes are as follows:

  • For existing clients rolling their bookings forward to dates in September 2020, there will be no request for the final payment until within 4 weeks of the commencement of the holiday.
  • If they eventually go for a booking in 2021, then the final payment will be 10 weeks before commencement of the holiday.
  • For new bookings now for September and Early October 2020, there will only be a 10% deposit on a confirmation of booking, and this will be refundable for a period of 6 weeks. If the cancellation is made later than this period, Dragon Drascombe Ltd will not be liable to refund your deposit. The final payment will be requested within 4 weeks of the commencement of the holiday.

Please note that our previous Terms and Conditions, against which existing bookings were made, only allowed for return of deposit within 7 days of the original booking.

This guys is the best I can do in this very difficult and stressful time.

As always, we recommend that you take out full travel and holiday insurance.

However, we all have a yearning after this lockdown and isolation to get back to the outdoors, the sea, the relaxed environment and Greek Tavernas, to walk along the traditional footpaths to isolated villages, get the ferry over to Meganissi, swimming in clear warm waters… oh yes, bring it on!

Geni Garden Availability

2 no Family 4-bed apartment, 20 September onwards
1 no Family 4-bed apartment ,14 September onwards
1 no 2-bed sea-facing apartment, 20 to 27 September
1 no 2-bed sea-facing apartment, 23 September onwards
1 no side-facing 2-bed apartment, 15 September onwards
1 no side-facing 2-bed apartment, 11 September onwards
2 no side-facing 2-bed apartment, 13 September onwards

Take a look at this availability and give it great consideration. For the remainder of this summer I have decided to make the break, and to meet you on your arrival at our home base, the Gialos Taverna, to welcome you with the traditional Meza and seriously cold Mythos.

Happy New Year for 2020

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A very warm welcome everyone to my first Dragon Drascombe Newsletter of 2020, a year in which I will be focused on providing an even greater spread of accommodation alternatives within the community of Geni and Vliho Bay.

The past year of 2019 has seen a lot of change which has impacted on my Drascombe Lugger charter company in the Ionian. After years of pronouncements by the Greek Government, they finally implemented last May a “Yachting Tax”. This has been ongoing for the past 6 years, possibly longer. It will be for the benefit of the economy and once all the wrinkles are ironed out, it should work. For myself with the Luggers it will not be relevant as they are under the length limit and are classed as day boats / dinghies. The Flotilla / Charter Companies however will be affected by the tax.

The other change that is just about complete, is that the business has been registered in Greece and the boats re-registered, now with Greek registry and insurance. Apart from the time it’s taken, it will not have any impact on my Lugger Holidays.

When it’s cold and raining, doesn’t the Ionian sound so much more appealing?
Picture by Magical Greece

The summer of 2019 saw the demise of Thomas Cook Airlines who were frequent carriers from the UK to Greece, especially Preveza. However, with the emergence of Jet2, a new carrier, and the Thomas Cook flight slots going to Easy Jet and the low cost Norwegian Air, there are now only 2 days in each week when there are no flights to Preveza. Flight prices at present are respectable, they will never go back to the days of Monarch Airlines, so this is positive.

From last September when £1 Sterling only got you €1 , things are improving week by week, with the rate at €1.171, so again a move forward for those planning a visit to the Ionian.

The big news for ourselves as a family is that Stephanie my daughter, is making great strides in her recovery from surgery to eradicate her diagnosed Ovarian Cancer, this procedure took place in July 2019. She is now back running and just yesterday received her entry confirmation to participate in The Great North Run this coming late summer.

This year, as a company, Dragon Drascombe Ltd will support Target Ovarian Cancer and contribute from our income to this very worthwhile cause. Last year’s Great North Run by Andy, my son in law, raised well over £3000 for TOC.

So a lot has happened during 2019, let us all hope that 2020 will be a healthy and peaceful year. For those who aim to visit Dragon Drascombe, we look forward to giving you a great holiday in the sun.

Bengy is enjoying watching some of my Lugger sailors trying out canoeing and paddleboarding. These are just some of the activities offered by Horizon Watersports in Nidri, and you’ll be hearing more about this in the February newsletter.

You will I’m sure have followed the great review in the previous newsletter of getactivelefkas, the biking guys from Nidri who run road and off-road biking sessions around the hilly countryside. My past family groups have loved these evening sessions.

Whilst appreciating that you all have a great affection for the distinguished lines of the Drascombe Lugger and its easy sailing characteristics, especially out in this magnificent area of the South Ionian, there is now a great opportunity to explore this uniquely Greek countryside on foot or by cycle, and combine it with your day sailing. Your kids will just love it, take a look at the article on Cycle and Sail. So there is so much to look forward to in 2020.

I could even interest you in a 2-week adventure to explore the Island of Ithica by Lugger. They have Electric Bikes at Frikes to hire, as Richard and Cheri Crosley told us about in their visit last June. How about this for an itinerary?

You will arrive at Preveza on Sunday 23rd August, be collected by my taxi and following a Meze lunch will be taken to the Nidri ferry port for the 2-hour ferry to Frikes Bay, where your Lugger will be awaiting your arrival. For this first week you will stay at the splendid Frikes Bay Suite and be well looked after by Peter and his staff as you can read in Cheri’s review.

On the morning of Sunday 30th August I will arrive by Rib to collect your bags and transport them back to Geni where they will await your arrival at your apartment at Geni Garden. This will give you the chance to have a full day to sail north from Frikes to Vliho Bay, a great day out and achievement. Your apartment at Geni Garden is large and sea-facing, with full self-catering facilities and a delightful balcony, from which you can sail and explore the lovely harbours and islands around the Meganissi channel. Your return to Preveza on the 6th September will be arranged with my taxi company.

December 2019

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This will be my last post of this year. I do hope you will appreciate the diverse nature and approach of the holidays available for this coming summer. As you can read on our Cycle and Sail page, we have teamed up with Simon and Lucy at Get Active Lefkas to offer a variety of cycling and walking activities for you and your family while you stay with us at Dragon Drascombe.

The Villa Eleanor, the Gem of Geni, has recently undergone a total professional refurbishment to a very high standard and is now available for families or groups. It has 3 bedrooms, accommodating up to 6 persons in exceptional luxury, and is very private with your Lugger safely moored on their sheltered pontoon.

In my January Newsletter I will give you an introduction to the Horizon Watersports crew, and the activities they will be able to offer to Lugger guests, so look out for that in the new year.

So finally, to all Drascombers, past and present, I wish you a merry Christmas and look forward to meeting up in the sun in 2020

End of Summer Blog 2019

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My morning starts with getting the weather forecast for the day, walking Bengy my Greek sheep dog and then the 15 minute motor in the tender south into Vliho Bay, and to the bakery owned and run by Harri. As those who have stayed with me at ‘Luggering about in the sun’ will have experienced, the bakery is a real treasure; there are numerous mentions in past clients’ reviews of his pastries and especially the Spinach Pies, all made on site. It’s just brilliant.

Stephen and Emmie arrived late afternoon on Sunday 28th September, my last group before the final boat clean and getting the equipment ready for storage over the winter. They are here to have an initiation into Sailing for Emmie and a refresher course for Stephen.

As when all my groups arrive, we meet initially at the Gialos Taverna for a cold beer and a Meze lunch, before settling into whatever accommodation has been selected, be it a Villa, Geni Garden Apartment, Stella Apartment or, as it is for Stephen and Emmie, an Apartment at the Gialos.

For their first day yesterday – Stephen’s Birthday – it was an accompanied motor over to the bakery, then onto the small supermarket at Vliho for provisions. After a late breakfast we had an initiation into the Lugger Paxi, this taking place in Vliho Bay itself. Then with myself on board we motored out into the channel and headed south to a very small bay which is favoured for swimming and snorkelling.

Stephen and Emmie will finish their review in a week or so to give you an update on their experience of Luggering about in the sun. So please stay connected to the website and read their review.

Today is 1st October, and I awoke for my early morning walk and my trip across the bay with the sunrise in a temperature of 22 degrees; as I write this blog this afternoon it has topped 29 degrees!

Just remember to consider a late break sailing in 2020. The weather is fantastic out here in the Greek Ionian and the crowds have gone.