Relax

It was our first time in the Ionian and we will definitely be coming back. The weather was great, enough wind for some really lovely sails but not too much. The distances were short and the Lugger meant that we could pull up on the beach and go to a taverna for lunch. We’ve chartered yachts in Greece before but the Lugger and the beautiful Geni Gardens were so much more relaxing. We did more sailing than in previous bareboat charters because we weren’t trying to travel port to port and the ability to anchor off a beach and walk ashore was fantastic. The Luggers have been beautifully restored and thoughtfully equipped. It was great to have a morning with Phil on our first day to build confidence and he was always available for good advice if we needed it.

Thanks so much Phil, it was great to meet you (and Bengi!) and we can’t wait to come back!

Thoughts from Paradise

A quick note to say how much Emmie and I enjoyed our return to Geni and our week with Dragon Drascombe on the beautifully renovated Lugger Angie. The addition of your special upgrades including closing wooden lockers, excellent anchors and fully kitted out with charts, pilot guide, cool bag and life vests, etc make your Drascombe Lugger fleet rather special.

Our first trip was in 2019 and we had hoped to return last year, but then so did many others. In 2019 we stayed at the very hospitable Gialos Taverna where the food and welcome is excellent and the cold beers very close at hand at all hours. This year we were at Geni Garden Apartments, much quieter and with a swimming pool that we used each day. From a sailing point of view, embarkation and disembarkation is rather simpler (and more steady) at Gialos where you berth alongside a solid pontoon. At Geni Garden Apartments, there is a need for rather more agility as you berth bow-on to a floating pontoon.

The week before our arrival we had chartered a 37′ Bavaria yacht from Sail Ionian in Vlihko to do a refresher RYA Day Skipper course for myself and a Competent Crew course for Emmie. The week in Geni was a wonderful antidote to the rather more intense time on the Bavaria. There is nothing quite so nice as a decent sized bathroom and facilities and a very comfortable bed after a few days living on board a yacht! The advantage of our Lugger though was the ability to pull up to remote beaches away from any crowds and, when we were sharing a bay with larger boats, to be able to get much closer in for swimming and snorkelling.

We had a wonderful time revisiting old haunts in quiet bays on Lefkas and Meganisi as well as exploring new areas. What stood out was just how friendly everyone was and how taverna owners remembered us from our short visit 2 years previously. As one example there is nothing quite so uplifting to pull alongside the water front of Taverna Spilia near Spartakhori on Meganisi, to have the lines taken by the owner and greeted as if you were there just the day before. Their Baklava dessert by the way was the best we had.

A holiday that was perhaps enhanced by its anticipation. Twice postponed due to Covid travel restrictions, and consequently developing into different accommodation and a different season, and yet I am delighted to report this was fortuitous in every respect.

We stayed at Geni Gardens, simple accommodation but generous in quality and cleanliness, surrounded by extensive, lovingly cared-for grounds, and all this further enhanced by a charming owner always on hand to help and assist.

September is a great time to visit Lefkada with warm seas and clement weather, all that was needed perhaps with a little more wind…

Getting to know our boat ‘Angie’ under Phil’s patient tutoring, progressed from an initial negative comparison with one’s own familiar vessel to an appreciation of the many positive attributes that make Drascombe Luggers ideal for Ionian beach hopping!

An abiding memory for me – when mooring up or leaving a waterside Taverna, with large yachts and super yachts moored nearby. We were always in receipt of so much admiration from fellow diners on what a beautiful and traditional boat – did you really sail her to Meganissi?

Thanks for a truly memorable holiday

Have to tell you how much we enjoyed our time as part of the Dragon Drascombe entourage. Meeting you, Andy and Dave, the Burwells, and all our wonderful Greek hosts was unforgettable.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect other than the Lugger and Greece. How the rest unfolded was just great. The details you arranged made the whole trip comfortable, with just the right amount of adventure.

Our boat was a tribute to your care and handiwork. Everything functioned and the condition was “as new”. We particularly liked the details of the anchor set-up fore and aft, the thoughtfulness of having charts and pilot, the very efficient sunshade and swim ladder. Having a spotlight stored away and the idea of an insulated picnic bag with utensils and ice packs was just brilliant.

Melanie enjoyed afternoons at the Iris Hotel pool while I singlehanded, and we both enjoyed sailing down the coast and around the point to Desimi for a swim and lunch at the beachside taverna there.

The social life with the rest of your entourage was just a series of rich cultural events, particularly the visit to Concrete Bill’s. (As well as the other tavernas!!)

At any rate, you made possible a wonderful getaway. We could have stayed all summer.