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An Official Round-Up Of The Mediterranean Yacht Show 2016

By Oliver Pearson   13 May 2016

As the red carpet was rolled up for another year, it was more than obvious that the Mediterranean Yacht Show was once again a triumphant success. As an official press partner for the event, YachtCharterFleet can also confirm that the outlook for Greece and its surrounding islands could not be better.

Following an elegant and well attended ribbon-cutting ceremony on 7th May, the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2016 treated visitors to four days of viewings in the beautiful city of Nafplion, Greece.

Having had to extend the red carpet due to a larger number of yachts attending this year’s edition, the show was accompanied by a number of the organisers providing their trademark hospitality, and everywhere about could be heard the sound of excited industry chatter and reflections on the upcoming summer charter season.

With the Greek built 72m/236ft luxury yacht O’Pari 3 berthed at the far end of the port, and a variety of impressive yachts descending both left and forwards, there could not have been a more appropriate setting for the most anticipated date in the Mediterranean calendar.

Indeed, featuring a series of award-winning motor yachts and sailing yachts, visitors were all kept busy as they took detailed tours of yachts in order to get beyond the brochures and familiarise themselves a little better with crews and captains.

Yachts berthed at the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2016
The opening of the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2016
A Jacuzzi with Nafplion, Greece in the background
Golden Yachts at the Mediterranean Yacht Show

Keen to get immersed in the proceedings, the editorial team at YachtCharterFleet headed down early to the show and, fittingly, stepped on-board the 40m/130ft motor yacht O’Pati from the Greek shipyard Golden Yachts.

Learning more about her new woven fabrics fitted earlier this year, and navigating the spaces via generously broad staircases, the team were impressed by the charter yacht which clearly deserved her award at the International Superyacht Society Awards back in 2012.

From here, the distinctive exterior lines of the 40m/131ft motor yacht ‘Cacos V’ all but beckoned the team inside for a more thorough inspection. Immediately struck by a metal sculpture of an octopus used to divide the main salon from the formal dining area, the team were quick to jot down notes regarding the fine fusing of contemporary styling with an inviting ambience.

Before preparing for the welcoming ceremony taking place up at the Palamidi Fortress, the team checked out the 50m/164ft sailing yacht ‘Baracuda Valletta’ to find out more about the elegance which emerges from her minimalist interior. Much more light and airy than might be expected from a sailing yacht, the use of carbon fibre and a retractable cover in the bridge help to produce a truly unique aesthetic- something which kept the team talking right up until the evening.

Impeccably organised and expertly carried out, the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2016 has no doubt provided Greece with the endorsement it deserves

With the sound of a Greek lounge band playing on an adjacent stage, the welcome reception at the Palamidi Fortress continued the tradition of combining a brief speech on the climate of Greece’s charter market with time for guests to discuss the viewings they had undertaken during the day.

Speaking towards the end of the reception, the GYA President Michael Skoulikidis reflected on how, ‘with the continued support of the whole Greek community, the islands could well become a true yachting paradise’.

A conviction reiterated by numerous captains and crew, there was a pervading sense of celebration at both the reception and throughout the remainder of the show, with everyone confident that there is nowhere finer to charter this summer than Greece.

Superyacht O'Pari 3 at the Mediterranean Yacht Show
Motor yacht O'Rion at the Mediterranean Yacht Show during the evening
The stern of motor yacht 'My Toy'
The lit-up stern of motor yacht O'PATI

True to tradition, the charter yachts on display at the Mediterranean Yacht Show were nothing short of exceptional

Enjoying lunch on both the 31m/103ft motor yacht SUNCOCO and the 50m/165ft luxury yacht ‘Zaliv III’, the team were treated to various tours throughout the course of the show, gathering plenty of exclusive information and pictures for upcoming reviews.

Looking as impressive by night as they did by day, the charter yachts on display at the show literally glistened as guests headed down to the port for late night celebrations each evening- a fact not overlooked by the discerning photographers on hand.

Bringing the show to a close, the farewell ceremony held at the waterfront lighthouse pier included a number of awards and a prize-giving for the chefs deemed to have produced the new Hellenic dish (more of this soon), and was clearly well-enjoyed by all in attendance.

Whilst toasting goodbye to the show was indeed bittersweet, there’s no question that the Mediterranean Yacht Show is only going to grow in strength and popularity as time goes on.

The awards given out at the closing ceremony of the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2016

To see more of the show, feel free to view our gallery here.

Or, to find out more about the yachts showcased at the Mediterranean Yacht Show this year, please get in touch with your preferred charter broker.

Alternatively, take a look at all luxury yachts available for charter in the Mediterranean.

 
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