Efi and Pol
The kids loved this kind of vacation so for sure it has entered our list!
Pam and Zander
We were looking for for sun, day sailing with plenty of places to visit and a relaxing place to come back to after sailing. The holiday delivered all of this and much more!
Wayne & Victoria
Thanks for facilitating another great two weeks in the Ionian Sea. Just amazing, our batteries are now fully charged up to keep fighting the good fight of daily life and work in the UK.
Chris, Yngvil, Håvard & Christa
A week well spent at Nidri, Greece
Jo and Dave
We have just returned from a fabulous fortnight sailing the beautifully restored Tiki during the day and staying at the beautiful and comfortable Geni Garden apartments. It was a magical fortnight – we will definitely be back!
Hente and Fern
We enjoyed our week of day sailing and relaxing in warm, sunny Greece! What a great way to drop into Greek sun, sea, and sailing!
Chris and Claire’s Charter review and booking for 2025!!!
Chris and his sister Claire have written a very informative review of their recent Charter with Dragon Drascombe. This is their email to me: “It was our pleasure. You did us well in September. We’re thinking very much to come again next year. The idea that is forming is to bring our children (Ingeborg 23…
Continue Reading Chris and Claire’s Charter review and booking for 2025!!!
Sail and explore the Islands of the home of Odysseus
The idea formed in the ice-cold heart of the six-month Scandinavian winter; there was a longing for warm winds, blue seas, fragrant forests, and sun-drenched coasts before the next dark time came upon us. The Dragon Drascombe ads in the Drascombe Association News had worked their way into the subconscious, so from snow-bound mountains we…
Continue Reading Sail and explore the Islands of the home of Odysseus
David and Jenny
David and Jenny sailing after some refresher sessions. Well done both you are sailing well. My very best “And thank you for your guidance and patience. We’ve enjoyed our time here. I hope the end of your season goes smoothly.David and Jenny” Get in Touch More Reviews and Posts
Ben and Helen’s Charter Pictures and Louise’s Video
Ben and Helen have been in touch to share some of their pictures from their charter towards the beginning of August. You may have seen our recent newsletter which featured their daughter, Louise’s, video that she had produced herself. The video gives a great view of her holiday experience sailing in the Ionian sea. It…
Continue Reading Ben and Helen’s Charter Pictures and Louise’s Video
Steve’s recent Review
“Hi Phil, We all had a good journey home. Thank you so much for the photo of Harry and me sailing. I will send him a copy and I am sure it will mean a lot to him. Thank you for starting his interest in sailing and all your tuition. The very best, Steve” Another…
Chris’s Blog – Four Go Luggering Again
After a two year gap, and rather damp Scottish spring, it was so good for the four of us to be back in the dazzling blue of the Ionian again in these beautiful trusty wee boats. It was great to be greeted by Phil, five large beers appearing like magic, followed by very welcome Greek…
Steve and Annie’s Review
The morning on the time of depart Steve and Annie felt it appropriate to send this short text and review following their great visit to Dragon Drascombe in the South Ionian Sea , May 2024. “Hi Phil, Thank you for a great week. It was very kind of you to spend so much time with us. The coaching was…
Nigel and Maureen’s Review
As a start to the season Nigel and Maureen came in via Corfu from the Republic of Ireland. They had past sailing experience a long time ago, so for them I provided 3 days of tuition and accompanied sailing, starting in Vlycho Bay and progressing outside in the Meganissi channel, this to build up their…
Ians Family Holiday
Ian with his extended family on the Eucalyptus pontoon. For Ian and his extended family it was a split 2 weeks, they were 10 in total and rented a large Villa out of Nidri, so 2 cars were necessary. The first week they spent sailing with myself in the Lugger and for the second week…
Pam and Pauls Sailing Holiday
Looking back now in November from a storm-tossed UK, September in the Ionian seems far away: blissfully warm sailing under blue skies, our very own Drascombe Lugger anchored in a secluded bay, bathing ladder down, crew swimming in turquoise sea. I’d never met Phil Osborne in person, though I felt I knew him well already. …
Sail Training in the South Ionian Sea
This sail training charter was a unique opportunity for both myself and Elspeth Rob, the following review is a joint assessment and review which highlights the value of my Sail Training Programme. To commence I will outline the background on what brought about this sailing programme for Elspeth and Rob. Back last summer they…
Richard, Gareth and Andrew
I am writing to thank you for the excellent week that I spent with my two brothers (Gareth and Andrew) recently with Dragon Drascombe (13-20th September). Initially the main reason for arranging this was as part of celebrating my middle brother’s 70th birthday – as we have started doing for each other and that was certainly…
Sandy and John
Hi PhilBy now you will be very busy with the next group of sailors and we hope it is going well for you.We wanted to say ‘thank you’ for the ‘Dragon Drascombe experience’- we really enjoyed it and it was great to be able to explore the area even though the wind was so erratic.…
Helen and Ben
We have just returned from 10 days of exploring the Ionian Islands in ‘Katerina’, one of Phil’s Drascombe Luggers based in Nidri – what a perfect holiday! We stayed in the Geni Garden Apartments (perfect location and perfect for our needs) and our lugger for our stay was moored on a pontoon in front of…
Ralphs Recent Lugger Trip
“Thanks for all the pics Phil. I have a few from my holiday you may like. Just wanted to say again how much I enjoyed the week we had sailing the lugger. Ralph” Thank you to Ralph for the quick email and great pictures of his holiday.
Jenny and Tim
We had a fabulous week towards the end of June in Lefkada with Dragon Drascombe, staying at the Geni Apartments with Jojo, our Lugger for the week, moored on the pontoon at the bottom of the gardens. The Geni apartments and grounds, with swimming pool, are a superb location from which to be based and…
Ian’s recent Charter
I hope that you are keeping well and the current hot weather is not proving too challenging. Apologies it has taken so long to send you a few photos from the holiday as requested but as soon as I got back I was off to Africa and have only just got back today. Thank you…
Nick and Anne’s Family Holiday
Sooo.. What to do to celebrate reaching your 8th decade? This was the question I (and my much younger wife Anne) had to consider in time for this Spring. It did not take us long to come up with idea of a ‘whole family’ holiday in/on/near water in somewhere warm and inviting. You guessed it…
First Family Booking of 2023 at the Villa Eleanor
To be absolutely sure of Andrew’s two week family holiday he booked the Villa Eleanor early in 2022. As you will note from its description on the website it’s a 3 bedroom private villa set amongst the trees and it’s own garden overlooking Vliho Bay. It has all the facilities a family group would need…
Continue Reading First Family Booking of 2023 at the Villa Eleanor
Rob and Jane
Rob and Jane gettiong to know the boat I fell in love with Drascombe boats on seeing one at the London Boat Show back in the ’70’s but never had the chance to sail one. I spotted one of Dragon Drascombes luggers while on Flotilla a few years ago and promised myself a trip one…
Bruce and Ann 2 week Refresher Sail Training
For this 2 week Refresher Sail Training for Bruce and Anne my aim was two fold. Firstly to give them enough knowledge and practice to handle the Lugger in a safe and effective way. Secondly over the following week to enjoy a holiday afloat in an outstanding and varied area of topography. To achieve this, one…
Continue Reading Bruce and Ann 2 week Refresher Sail Training
Mike’s Drascombe Holiday
“Finally found time to email and thank you for your instruction and patience as we learnt to sail a Lugger, Ionian style, so to speak ! I could definitely handle one on my own now in light winds – thanks again.” Mike came on his own to sail a Drascombe Lugger but found himself integrated…
My Experience of a Dragon Drascombe Holiday by Liz
If I hadn’t have been a member of the Drascombe Association and read the Dan I would never have discovered this little Gem of a holiday….. Uniquely put together by Phil, who has a wealth of experience in Drascombe’s and of the inner Ionian islands of Greece. Many UK Airlines from a variety of airports…
Continue Reading My Experience of a Dragon Drascombe Holiday by Liz
Helen & Michael
This is Helen and Michael sailing on their final day. After heading back home I was delighted to receive a message from them. “We’re back watching concrete being poured!! Many Thanks for our lovely week which we really enjoyed. You have a great setup there and we appreciate all your hard work making it all run smoothly.”…
John & Charlie
We also have a Drascombe Longboat in Corfu and Phil kindly helped us get reacquainted with sailing it using one of his Luggers. Invaluable experience, and I cannot commend Phil’s patience and teaching skills enough. Also the accommodation he arranged for us. He showed us some of the other places he uses for accommodation and…
Rob & Nicky
We had a great week with the additional benefit of three days’ tuition from Phil. Geni Garden apartments are very convenient and comfortable and Franz and his wife and daughter look after everything including providing croissants and other bakery items for the next day’s breakfast.
The boats are all in excellent condition, thanks to all Phil’s hard work and dedication in setting them up. We hope to be back to sail further afield next year.
Valerie, Steve, Suzanne & George
The Geni apartments and the lugger were ideal for us. It really ticked all of our boxes. Good accommodation, glorious views and good sailing with excellent weather. The islands, the beaches and the tavernas met all our expectations.
Thank you for all of your assistance and for making all of the arrangements. It all went perfectly. We look forward to repeating the experience next September.
Elspeth
The four of us joined the fun at Dragon Drascombe this September and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We stayed at the Gialos Taverna where we were warmly welcomed. The views from our rooms were lovely with our Drascombe Lugger moored to the taverna’s pontoon, just waiting for us. The sailing in this area is sublime, whether being adventurous and island hopping or beaching the boat outside a taverna for lunch or in a lovely isolated cove. I hope that we can get back next season.
Elaine Johnston
We had such an enjoyable holiday – a really good celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. We had lots of fun in the Drascombe Luggers, and having two of them worked out very well for the five of us. Lazy days in the lovely villa Eleanor, filled with swimming and reading and sailing in the afternoons – a perfect holiday. Thoroughly recommended!
Hilsden Family
Like many, we had been anticipating this holiday for over two years, and it lived up to all of our expectations. Sandra and her family at Geni Garden Apartments could not have been more helpful and friendly, and we cannot speak highly enough of the freshly baked goodies delivered to our terrace table each morning! Or being able to tumble into the pool after a day at sea! We had a splendid week of sailing to beautiful bays, swimming, snorkelling, lazing on beaches, picnics, tavernas and ice creams galore!
Nick & Anne
Holiday time, like life, is precious and we very rarely return to the same area. Yet here we are again, back in exactly the same spot with another Drascombe Lugger. Were our memories safe? Totally, so much so that we intend bringing our family here next year to help celebrate a milestone birthday. We discovered different places, were more adventurous and more relaxed, the only downside was that we couldn’t fit in two weeks.
Caleb & family
As a keen sailor it was a perfect arrangement – having full use of a boat but not being tied to it. The apartment at Geni had all we needed, set in lovely gardens with a view of mountains in the distance, the pool in the foreground and Vilho bay (and our boat) in between. Our host, Sandra, and her family could not have been more accommodating. All in all it was a perfect holiday, with relaxation and adventure in equal measure in beautiful surroundings.
Paul & family
Just come back from a fab trip with the family, care of Dragon Drascombe. Phil was always on hand to offer advice on sailing expeditions, local weather forecasts and places to eat and grab provisions whilst still keeping tabs on all his other guests.
A very diverse holiday which can cater for the very active among us or those who just want a Greek escape. We’ll definitely be back.
Colin & Lizzie
Two weeks sailing in the sunshine – we couldn’t wait! After a disappointingly wet Scottish Spring, we were eagerly anticipating blue skies, gentle winds, warm sunshine and cold beer. This was to be an opportunity to explore Greece from the sea. And it turned out to be all that plus a lot more!
These little Luggers were easily the best and most relaxing way to see Greece from the sea. You have got to give it a go!
Batten-Roached Sails and Genoa
Simon Greenslade was one of the first to try out the new improved sail rig, and he sent us these comments:
The increased sail area provided by the ‘roller-reef’ genoa, the mainsail (with ‘inbuilt’ top sail) and larger mizzen, allowed us to make good pace in the wind range Force 1 to 3. A great improvement!
Dave & Andy
This year we stayed at the Iris Hotel Apartments. Our room was conveniently close to the bar and the two pools, and we were impressed by the cleanliness of the room and the very friendly staff. The food is pretty good pub grub and we had the huge advantage of our Lugger pulled up on the beach just a dozen yards from our room.
We tried out the new sail rig which boasts a new Genoa foresail, and batten-roached main and mizen sails. The result was a much faster boat, very good performance in light airs.
Gareth & Lisa
A really enjoyable two weeks at Geni. The joy of having a boat (Clara) was exploring small sheltered bays which were not accessible by foot. We both loved swimming from the boat and the wonderful sensation of the sun on your face as you swam in beautiful turquoise water. May is an excellent time to visit as the spring flowers are out and people’s lemons trees are laden with fruit. A cycle trip up into the hills was an opportunity to see more of the interior and to get away off the beaten track.
Linda & Marc
Wens dat de zeiltocht lang mag zijn. Dat er veel zomerse dagen mogen komen,waarop je met fijn gevoel zult binnenvaren in onbekende baaien en havens (Desimi bay). Houd Lefkas altijd in gedachten,was het er niet dan was je nooit vertrokken. 3 dagen zeilen, het leek een jaar! Dank voor je support, tot de volgende keer.
Zeilers groet, Linda en Marc
Peter & Ed
Geni Gardens was the perfect base for our sailing – our host Franz and his wife Poldi were great, as was the coffee and spinach pasty each morning on the terrace. There is so much I could say – it was quite an experience to see this quiet, fairly remote area of Greece, devoted to boats and sailing.
The organised pick up was excellent even in the dark at 11pm – Phil was at Geni to welcome us with beer in the fridge and fresh bread etc.
Katy & Bill
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. 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.
Stephen & Emmie
A quick note to say how much we 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.
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
Martin Wall
We stayed at Geni Gardens surrounded by extensive, lovingly cared-for grounds, and all this further enhanced by a charming owner always on hand to help and assist.
These Drascombe Luggers are ideal for Ionian beach hopping! We were always in receipt of so much admiration from fellow Taverna diners on what a beautiful and traditional boat – did you really sail her to Meganissi?
Skip & Melanie
Our boat was a tribute to your care and handiwork. 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.
You made possible a wonderful getaway. We could have stayed all summer.
Guy & Gail
We really enjoyed our time in Lefkas and would consider returning as it was the perfect sailing holiday. I’ve just returned from the USA where my son and family are heading down the intra-coastal waterway to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Not as warm as Greece though! Thanks again for the holiday experience and your…
Eric & Julie Taylor
Many thanks again for a wonderful holiday. Please pass on our thanks also to Poldi and family, as well as their staff. Also to Costas and his mother, all of whom made our stay very pleasant. For us it was a great holiday and we may be tempted by Ithaca next time.
Boats & Bikes at Ithica – a Holiday with a Difference
Having spent such a great week with Phil in 2018, sailing out from our Geni Garden Apartment, we decided to continue the Luggering about in the Sun adventure for this summer, but with a difference. Our own Lugger is based on the East Coast of England and sailing there can be somewhat tedious, waiting of…
Continue Reading Boats & Bikes at Ithica – a Holiday with a Difference
Family Inglis
“Yip, a grand and successful family holiday, Phil. It ticked all the boxes for us.” From our late evening arrival at Geni Garden, the Family Apartment was just outstanding. We sat on the balcony to catch our breath, a cold beer in hand which Phil had waiting in the fridge, looking over the bay still…
Stephen & Emmie
Emmie and I had a fabulous time and miss Geni, and all that made it a great, different holiday. We would love to return next year. We enjoyed Gialos and it was very handy, but we would prefer to be at the Geni apartments with a sea view, access to somewhere to relax after a…
Tony & Helen
We have just returned from the most wonderful holiday, sailing a beautiful Drascombe Lugger, called Paxi, in Lefkada. Our expectations of the sailing trip were far exceeded, and we will always remember it. But first, how did two Aussies end up sailing a Drascombe Lugger in Lefkada, Greece in June 2019? Well, it all started…
Anne & Nick Marks
“Greece would be nice”, he said. “Let’s go sailing”, he said. “You’ll enjoy it”, he said. My husband loves to sail whereas I am a very much a reluctant one despite having completed various courses (including competent crew and helming a topper) many years ago. So we looked at what was available in Greece with…
Neil, Jean & Ruth Wilson
Sailing in the Sun, once more, August – September 2018. One can perhaps get addicted to some things, if you keep trying them – this was our fifth holiday sailing one of Phil’s Luggers ‘in the sun’. Though our first Greek sailing experience goes back some few years to Lemnos when we had the shock…
Jon Paton
Our many thanks for accommodating our 2 families of 8 adults at the very special Villa Nisos on our most recent stay with you in the Greek Ionian. The Villa was just outstanding set high up and overlooking Vliho Bay and the Meganissi channel. Its facilities for our large group were just right and I…
Simon & Lucy Atkinson
We decided to get out of the mountains and into the sea to celebrate Simon’s birthday last month and were lucky enough to take a Drascombe Lugger for the day. Phil from Dragon Drascombe met us at the pontoon in Geni and gave us a thorough briefing on the boat before escorting us out of…
Eric, Julie, Ray & Jackie
We arrived on a beautiful, warm, sunny Sunday afternoon. There was Yani’s taxi waiting to collect us and we were whisked off to Geni apartments where Phil was waiting to greet us. After being shown our rooms it was into Phil’s dory for a short trip to Gialos Taverna for a much needed Meze lunch…
Tim & Dot
We enjoyed our week immensely and cannot thank you enough for helping make this a very memorable holiday. By the end of the week we felt we were starting to get to grips with the Lugger and were starting to find out how to get the best out of it. Next time we will be…
Gordon and Frances MacDonald
Our excellent Dragon Drascombe sailing holiday in the Ionian, began with an advertisement in one of the sailing magazines that led to an internet search and reading Phil’s comprehensive introduction and looking at the website. A decision was made to take up a short notice offer for a two-week booking in June that had become…
The Vaughan Family
We have just returned from a ten day stay at Geni Garden courtesy of Dragon Drascombe. We had a superb holiday, sailing ‘Ellie’ all around Nydri, Meganissi and the Greek mainland. Thanks to Phil, the entire trip went without any hiccups and he was on hand everyday to help with sailing tips and advice. All…
An Ionian Tour
“Are you really travelling around the world in that little boat?” As much as I hated to decrease our status as instant celebrities, I had to admit the truth: “No, we are travelling around the Ionian Sea for a few weeks.” The person who asked the question was the third party in fifteen minutes to…
Mid Summer Diary
Nidri, The Greek Ionian. It’s a sad day for Bengy today, he does not know it yet but the boat he uses for a day time shelter is being moved, I will have to make him another shelter out of a Lugger winter cover – with temperatures at around 33 he has to have shade…
Richard & Cheri Crosley
Our normal sailing grounds are on the North Norfolk coast, choppy short seas and usually a cold north or north-east wind and very limited tides. So the idea of sailing in 30°C, with a gentle Mediterranean wind, surrounded by mountains sounded really appealing when we discussed it at the tail end of winter and I…