SOPHIA

Based in Athens, this Lagoon 50 puts the Saronic Gulf within an easy morning's sail and the Cyclades within reach of a week's itinerary — the kind of cruising ground where a catamaran earns its keep, slipping into shallow anchorages a monohull of the same size would have to admire from a distance. The accommodation is unusually generous for a yacht of this length: six cabins, each with a double bed, sleeping up to twelve guests, served by four bathrooms. It is a layout that suits two or three families travelling together, or a group of couples who would rather not draw lots for the good cabin — everyone gets the same. Life on board follows the rhythm of a cat: broad shaded cockpit aft for long lunches, saloon and galley on the same level so nobody is shut away, and the flybridge for the passages between islands. The captain knows these waters and their weather, which is what makes the difference between a fixed itinerary and a good one — anchorages chosen on the day, according to wind and mood. The hostess cooks in the Mediterranean tradition, with the local markets doing most of the menu planning. For the hours spent at anchor, there is a tender with a 30 hp outboard, a Seascooter and a Seabob, snorkelling gear, fishing tackle, a large towable tube, beach toys and waterskis sized for children. A straightforward, sociable yacht for a multi-day charter in Greece, with the space and the crew to make a week feel unhurried.