Embark with Silvio - Skipper Greece

The skipper

Let's embark and discover the Ionian Islands by sea, from the port of Gouvia Marina in Corfu. Silvio, the skipper is a passionated and happy skipper !

Time flies too quickly. Make the most of it.

When I was 18 I began sailing in Italy. Later, I took part in a few regattas in France. Professionally, I first became a dentist. I bought a practice where I worked for many years. I gave talks at conferences and attended a lot of conventions, so I spent a lot of time travelling. 15 years ago I decided I wanted to give myself a rest and work at my passion rather than my job. I sold everything I could, left everything else behind, and set up in Corfu with my sailing boat. I’m happy here!

People are often surprised by my versatility. I’m into sports, and I love music, so I’m a ski instructor and a diving instructor. I go mountaineering, and I play piano, and I love to sing! People seem to find the mix a bit amusing. That aside, they often say that I’m very organised, and it’s true that I try to do everything so that the client can do as he pleases.

What I love most about travelling by sea is the freedom. Weather permitting, everyone can do what they want. I want my passengers to experience that freedom. Whether they want to be alone, go to a restaurant, go for a walk, sleep, or cook on the boat, I always work out a solution so that everyone is happy and doing what they want. By giving people the chance to do what they want, you come to realise that people and voyages are different. No two weeks are quite the same, and I like it that way. As for life aboard, I like to let folks be so they can enjoy the sea, the swimming, the landscape, and get the most from their holiday. If they want to take a turn at the helm, of course that’s fine too. But enthusiasm has to be measured for complicated manoeuvres—my boat is big and heavy and one client has already broken a finger manoeuvring her. I’m more careful now.

Life on a journey

Ithaca! Maybe because there is not a soul around, maybe because the area reminds me of the Odyssey and Ulysses who braved everything to get there.

A successful cruise is when I really get to know the little band aboard, and understand what they want. Generally, I know what they are looking forward to after 2 days on the boat.

Ce que j'aime dans les voyages en mer, c'est la liberté. A part les conditions météorologiques qui nous donnent parfois quelques contraintes, j'aime que chacun puisse faire ce qu'il veut. Je veux que mes passagers se sentent libres. S'ils ont envie d'être seuls, d'aller au restaurant en solo, aller se balader, dormir, ou cuisiner sur le bateau, je me débrouille toujours pour que tous soient heureux et qu'ils fassent ce dont ils ont envie. A force de laisser une liberté à  tous, on s'aperçoit vite que les gens et les voyages sont tous différents, il n'y a pas 2 semaines semblables et c'est ça qui me plait. En ce qui concerne la vie à  bord, je laisse de prime abord les gens tranquilles. Qu'ils puissent profiter de la mer, des baignades, des paysages, bref ce sont leurs vacances et il faut qu'ils en profitent ! Si certains veulent barrer, bien sur il n'y aucun problème. Pour les manoeuvres plus compliquées, j'avoue que je mesure les enthousiasmes car mon bateau est grand, lourd, et il est déjà  arrivé qu'un client se casse le doigt en manoeuvrant. Maintenant je fais attention.