Special offer announced on East Mediterranean yacht charters with luxury yacht SIROCCO

By Richard Watkins 9 May 2019

From August, the 47m/154 ft luxury yacht SIROCCO will be based in Albania, and she will be chartering in the East Mediterranean's Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

Launched by Heesen in 2006, and refitted in 2013, the luxury tri-deck motor yacht SIROCCO is usually to be found in more familiar Mediterranean hotspots such as the South of France.

But after August 8, she will be available for charter from Albania, offering a rare opportunity to explore the lesser-traveled regions of the Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, including Greek islands such as Corfu, Ithaca and Kefalonia.

Although located in the heart of the East Mediterranean, Albania is a rare port of call on the charter itinerary, making it primed for charter guests in the mood for adventure.

Rear aerial view of motor yacht Sirocco

master suite on superyacht Sirocco ahowing bed facing large windows

salon of superyacht Sirocco with sofas around glass coffee table

Sirocco accommodates up to twelve guests in six cabins, including a spacious master suite, VIP stateroom, two double cabins and two twin cabins. She benefits from an attentive and professional crew of nine, who will ensure that guests experience a memorable and enjoyable yacht charter experience.

Sirocco's interior is furnished in exotic woods, marble, leather and natural stone. She boasts ample deck alfresco spaces for sunbathing, alfresco dining or simply taking in the views. There's also an on-deck Jacuzzi, a swimming platform and a variety of the latest water toys.

Sirocco will be based in the Albanian Riviera resort of Saranda, just opposite the Greek island of Corfu, making it ideally placed for discovering the beautiful unspoilt coastlines along the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.

In this corner of the world, the layers of history run deep, and around 18km down the coast from Saranda lie the extensive and well-preserved ruins of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set within a vast national park.

You'll find deserted sandy beaches and hidden coves all along the Albanian coast, backed by lush forests, olive groves and pretty villages.

Here you can explore the remains of the Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures which all occupied this area, including a magnificent Roman theatre. The park is an important nature reserve, too, home to almost 250 bird species, while dolphins, monk seals and loggerhead turtles are found in the surrounding waters.

Heading northwards, you'll find deserted sandy beaches and hidden coves all along the Albanian coast, backed by lush forests, olive groves and pretty villages, offering plenty of inviting opportunities to step ashore and simply relax on the sand.

ancient Greek theatre ruins seen from above with trees beyond

Aerial view of sandy cove with rocky outcrops

a plate of red peppers stuffed with mincemeat

Just north of Saranda, Bunec is a pleasingly quiet spot for a restful stopover. The clean, white pebbly beach is lapped by a sparkling emerald green sea, and, unusually, the beach is divided in two by a little river on its way from the mountains to the Mediterranean.

Further along the coast is one of Albania's best-known beaches, Dhermi. Much longer than Bunec, this strip of white sand attracts far more visitors in summer, but there are several attractive little coves and bays nearby which offer more seclusion.

The village of Dhermi, with its pretty houses clinging to the hillside, is also worth a visit for its medieval churches and sea views, while it has also gained a reputation for its nightlife, with international DJs hosting at open-air clubs in the vicinity each summer.

The village of Dhermi, with its pretty houses clinging to the hillside, is also worth a visit for its medieval churches and sea views.

Stretching for some 7km, Borsh is Albania's longest beach, and while elsewhere in the Mediterranean such a natural treasure would be lined with beach umbrellas and big hotels, here it has remained largely undeveloped.

Instead, it's olive groves that run along the coast, and olive oil production is still the main local industry. It's an idyllic place to relax and unwind with a leisurely walk along the white pebbles washed by a shimmering turquoise sea.

Nearby is the dramatic Porto Palermo fortress, situated on a little peninsula, one of the jewels of the Albanian Riviera. Built by the Venetians, when they were expanding their empire along these shores, it was used as a Soviet submarine base during the Cold War, and the abandoned tunnels are today open to visitors looking for the James Bond experience.