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14 DAYS

14 DAYS

ROYAL SUITE / HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE

SAILING THE EASTERN MED


The exotic Mediterranean locales east of Italy are quickly becoming the hottest destination for elite yachters, and for good reason. Greece, with its time honored, majestic islands, provides a hipster playground for the international jet set, while Turkeys Blue Cruise waters add ancient charm to newly rediscovered locations. Combine the two and you have 14 days of purely indulgent yachting.
BY SCOTT GOETZ

ATHENS Follow in the tradition of grande dames Elizabeth Taylor, Maria Callas, Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot by waking up in the Hotel Grande Bretagnes Royal Suite ($18,600 per night) with a sumptuous breakfast on your private terrace. After, Lorrie Croze, owner of Mediterranean Collection, your luxury yacht broker and travel specialist, has arranged a couples suite in the hotels ESPA run GB Spa, where Ouzo oil massages and yoghurt, honey and sugar wrap treatments ensure your smooth transition to the easygoing Greek way. In the afternoon Athenian expert Mina Graneta, guide to many state dignitaries, escorts you on a tour of the Acropolis and the Plaka before a transfer to the harbor to embark on your yacht.

ATHENS TO MYKONOS An early morning cruise brings you into Sounion Bay in time for breakfast on the yacht. Mina greets you on the dock and escorts you through the Temple of Poseidon, where youll discover Lord Byrons graffiti on the 6th century B.C. columns. After paying homage to the sea god, its time to set sail for Mykonos, but on the way enjoy a swimming and lunch stop at Andros Island, northernmost island in the Cyclades, where in ancient times worshipers of Dionysus are said to have partaken in wine that flowed from a spring. Before sunset sail into the Bay of Psarou where Mediterranean Collection has secured a hard-to-get table at Nammos, an energetic yet romantic beachside restaurant that has hosted Michael Douglas, Annette Bening and Denzel Washington.

MYKONOS In the morning, Katerina Grigoriabi, who has guided Billy Zane, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, boards your yacht to embark on a tour to the sacred island of Delos, 45 minutes away. Afterwards, a Jeep meets you at the port. Catch the breeze while driving toward the cool and funky Kalos Livadia beach at the other end of the islandand on the way, its shopping time. Mykonos has an abundance of jewelry shops, however, the best one is Ilias Lalaounis. With gold on hand, its time to continue on to Sol Y Mar for steaks, salads and excellent risotto. When youre finished, leave the Jeep at the restaurant and board your yacht, which has moved nearby.

Ilias Lalaounis Phone: 30-22890-22444; Website: www.lalaounismykonos.com Sol Y Mar Restaurant Contact: Manager Kalo Livadi Phone: 30-22890-71745; Email: solymar@otenet.gr; Website: www.solymar.gr

Hotel Grande Bretagne Contact: General Manager Timothy Ananiadis, Phone: 30-210-3330814; Fax: 30-210-3330801; Email: tim.ananiadis@starwoodhotels.com; Website:www.grandebretagne.gr

Nammos Restaurant Contact: Maitre d George Papageorgion, Phone: 30-22890-22440; Website: touristorama.com/ mykonosfagitonammos_e.html

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SANTORINI Check into Santorinis newest and most secret luxurious suites at the Homeric Poems (up to $1,325 per night). Perched cliff-side with an commanding view of the

caldera, itll be hard to want to do much else.


Nonetheless, you shouldnt miss the archaeological site of Akrotiri, which dates back to the 4th millennium B.C. After a tour of Akrotiri and the museum in Fira, its time for wine tasting in the artsy, traditional cave dwelling of Art Space. Then, its onto Perivolas Beach where youll chill out in the exotic, live jazz atmosphere of Seaside Lounge by Notosa favorite of Jean Paul Gaultier.

Homeric Poems Contact: Owner Chrissanthos Karavias, Phone: 30-22860-24661; Email: homericp@otenet.gr; Website: www.homericpoems.gr Seaside Lounge By Notos Restaurant Phone: 30-22860-82801;
GRAND SUITE TERRACE / HOMERIC POEMS

Email: info@notos-restaurant.gr; Website: www.notos-restaurant.gr

NAXOS Mid morning finds you arriving at the island of Naxos, largest island of the Cyclades and famous for its green landscapes and pristine beaches. Rent motorbikes or dune buggies to explore the island and discover another side of Greece, full of old villages and charming cafes. In Chora visit the

SAILING TO SANTORINI Enjoy sailing the Aegean with a stop for lunch at the island of Ios, known as the party island with golden beaches, then cruise into Santorinis jaw-dropping caldera by the late afternoon. This island is a must stop for the Hollywood setStephen

RHODES AND FETIYE In the morning, fly on your chartered Sky Express plane to meet your yacht in Rhodes. Youll sail out past the columns where The Colossus of Rhodes once stood. You might want to consider chartering a Turkish gulet for a few days, too, to take in the purest form of Turkish sailing and hospitality.

Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Angelina Jolie have all taken in its glory. Feast on calamari and other grilled seafood at Dimitrisa favorite of New York restaurant guru David Bouley. If Santorinis bustling nightlife scene interests, Enigma Club will keep you dancing late into the evening.

Archaeological Museum, which displays a collection of Cycladic idols, jewelry and statues. For great views, drive up to the mountain village of Sangri to the Temple of Goddess Dimitra, which dates back to 530 B.C. After, unwind on one of the islands long stretches of beach such as Agia Annaprivate and great for utilizing your yachts watersport toys (and a favorite spot of the Greek Minister of Finance).

Mediterranean Collection has a selection of these gorgeous sailing boats. The evening ends in Fethiye, where you disembark for great deals on fur and leather jackets at Megri Leather Shop in Old Town (like Harrison Ford did).

Sky Express Charter Contact: Manager Panos Andritsopoulos, Phone: 30-24270-22771; Email: panos@kanapitsa.com; Website: www.skyexpress.gr Megri Leather shop Phone: 90-252-612-9280; Fax: 90-252-612-0446; Email: megrideri@mynet.com; Website: www.megrileather.com

Dimitris Restaurant Phone: 30-22860-71606 Enigma Club Phone: 30-22860-22466; Email: info@enigmaclubsantorini.com; Website: www.enigmaclubsantorini.com

Motorbike and Dune Buggy Rental Contact: Manager Stefanos Grillis, Phone: 30-22850-23420

14 DAYS

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MARMARIS TO SYMI This is a day for enjoying your yacht, but not before a quick shopping trip to Marmaris Old Town while you clear customs. Carpets are king here, so head for Ali Baba Carpet Shop. The shop stocks carpets from craft centers like Hereke, Milas and Kas. For those wanting to skip shopping, massages can be arranged on board the yacht. Lunch is served while sailing to nearby Symi. Once there, take in the red roofs and white-washed and pastel neo-classical villas adorning the rocky hills

POOL / KEMPINSKI HOTEL BARBAROS

around a tranquil harbor. There are few hotels here, so Symi is uncrowded and elegant. Perhaps this is why the Vanderbilts loved the island enough to purchase a home on it. Dinner is at Stavros of Mythos, where you should try the sea bream with mint or filo with seafood bouillabaisse.

Ali Baba Carpet Shop Phone: 90-252-412-1609; Fax: 90-252-413-0593 Stavros of Mythos Restaurant Contact: Owner and Chef Stavros Gogios,
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE / KEMPINSKI HOTEL BARBAROS AT SAIL IN THE AEGEAN / MEDITERRANEAN COLLECTION

Phone: 90-224-607-1488

KAYAKOY AND OLU DENIZ In the morning, charming and athletic guide Sami Findikli takes you from your private marina on a tour of Kayakoy, also known as ghost town since its population of Orthodox Greeks were deported overnight by the Turks in 1922. On your return, stop at Panayia Pirgiotissa Church, where the pebble mosaics speak eloquently of a community that took pride in its culture. Daredevils and thrill seekers will then want to hang glide from the seriously tall mountains to make the best entrance possible onto Olu Deniz beach, a special haunt of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Lunch is at Oyster

DALYAN RIVER CRUISE Today youre booked on a cruise up the Dalyan River, which has been visited by both Sting and Dustin Hoffman. Guide Sami will meet you at your yacht in a small river boat then embark upstream to the ancient ruins of Caunos. Reminiscent of the marshes of Africa (with touches of of the ancient city of Petra), wildlife meets culture at the ancient city. Settlement here is believed to date from 3,000 B.C., and it later became a major port on the border between Lycia and Caria. Most striking are the mountainside, carved tombs in which the nobles were buried. Stop at Iztuzu Beach, where loggerhead turtles return each year to breed.

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DATCHA AND BODRUM While clearing customs in nearby Datcha, head to the ancient ruin of Knidos. The remains of a circular temple dedicated to Aphrodite overlook the two harbors. From here sail to Bodrum, a city made famous by the late Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records, who owned a home here and entertained everyone from Bette Midler to Prince Charles to Mick Jagger. Sail up to the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay for spa treatments at the stunning Six Senses Spa and a lunch at Saigon Club, a mouthwatering Vietnamese restaurant. Bodrum is infamous for its nightlife, so theres no staying on the boat this evening. After dinner at Hadigari, hit Kuba, Helva and the Yacht Club for great cocktails, even better music and doubly more beautiful people.

Residence where owner Gl, a hang glider herself, will entertain you with her wild stories about living in Turkey. After a nap and a swim, walk to the Byzantine ruins on Gemiler Island for sunset.

Yesil Dalyan Boat Tours Phone: 90-252-284-2127; Fax: 90-252-284-2215; Email: dalyan@yesildalyantravel.com; Website: www.yesildalyantravel.com

Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay Bodrum Contact: General Manager Michael Sorgenfrey, Phone: 90-252-311-0303; Fax: 90-252-311-0300; Email: michael.sorgenfrey@kempinski.com; Website: www.kempinski-bodrum.com

Oyster Residence Contact: Owner Gnsenin Gnel, Phone: 90-252-617-0765; Email: gunsenin@beyazyunus.com; Website: www.oysterresidences.com
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14 DAYS

PRIVATE POOL / ADA HOTEL

LUXURY SUITE / HOTEL LES OTTOMANS

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TURKBUKU In the morning your yacht will cruise to the seaside town of Turkbuku, recently called the St. Tropez of Turkey by the New York Times. Ivana Trump, Paris Hilton, Tom Hanks and Japanese fashion mogul Kenzo know these daytime beach clubs and nighttime fine dining restaurants well. Youll want to hang out on the canopy beds and in the Arabic tents of Seen, People, Mio and Na Na beach clubs. Follow Uma Thurmans steps to the Ada Hotel where a Turkish bath awaits in your private sky-lit and picture-windowed marble

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EPHESUS A helicopter awaits you this morning to speed you to ruins of Ephesus. Upon arrival at the Izmir helipad meet guide Sertan Sonmez for a tour of one of the most preserved cities of ancient times. Dont miss the recently opened exhibit of the Ephesus terrace houses, opposite the Hadrian Temple. They featured interior courtyards and a heating system of clay pipes beneath the floors and behind the walls that carried hot air and hot and cold running water. Tonight you fly back to Bodrum via charter operator Stress Free Tours for a special farewell party for your last night on the yacht.

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ISTANBUL Another charter flight arranged by

Mediterranean Collection brings you from Bodrum to galmorous Istanbul. Guide Adnan Duvenci, who has escorted many political dignitaries, greets you at the airport and whisks you off on a city tour. After, you are transferred to the edge of the Bosphorus, where Les Ottomans speedboat is waiting to whisk you to your hotel. Recently opened in 2006, this nine-room summerhouse secret sits right on the waters edge and hosted Cher, Brian Ferry, Sean Puffy Combs and Lenny Kravitz all within its first month of opening. Your day ends with a toast to your 14 days made with champagne and caviar.

hammam. Dinner is at the hotels romantic


Mahsen Restaurant. Ada owner Vedat Semiz has been known to show VIPs to his nearby house to view his private art collection.

Stress Free Tours Contact: Owner Koray Bozunoglu, Phone: 90-252-645-3001; Fax: 90-252-645-3002; Email: info@stressfreetours.com; Website: www.stressfreetours.com

Les Ottomans Contact: Owner Karim Klaa, Phone: 90-212-287-1024; Fax: 90-212-287-6061; Email: info@lesottomans.com; Website: www.lesottomans.com

Ada Hotel Contact: Owner Vedat Semiz, Phone: 90-252-377-5915; Fax: 90-252-377-5379; Email: vedat@adahotel.com; Website: www.adahotel.com

EASTERN MED PROS


Insider information is crucial to a successful getaway in the Eastern Med. Seasonal closures, time differences and politics between Greece and Turkey require an experienced and savvy yacht broker and travel specialist. Lorrie Croze, director and owner of Mediterranean Collection, arranged this itinerary and has been operating in the area for 20 years. Croze knows all the up-to-the-minute news on where to go and has the contacts and educated guides to handle any special request.

Contact: Director Lorrie Croze, Phone: 90-252-313-8306, Email: medcollection@medcollection.com; Website: www.medcollection.com
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