Sail Away

Eve Boggenpoel finds her sea legs off the coast of southern Greece

- Eve Boggenpoel

I’m hanging onto the edge of my dinghy in a choppy Greek sea, desperately trying to climb back in but, try as I might, I can’t lift Imys myself out of the water. I’d jumped into the sea as soon as the boat lurched to the point of no return, terrified of getting trapped under the sail, then had to swim around to the other side to right the boat again. Once at the hull, with my full bodyweight over the centerboard, I felt a sense of relief as the dinghy slowly rose to vertical. But it’s not over yet…

If I don’t get back inside soon, I’m worried the current might take me even further out.

I’m staying at the adult-only Buca Beach Resort in Analipsi, just a 20-minute drive from Kalamata. One of sports-holiday specialist Neilson’s newer properties, it has a boutique vibe, and each of the 57 rooms has a sea view that comes courtesy of a stunning sunrise over distant mountains.

Depending on your mood, you can set up camp for the day on billowy four-posters at the edge of the beach or chill out with your favorite novel on day beds that overhang the 50m pool – complete with pool butlers who serve complimentary smoothies, fruit and afternoon cocktails. If youʼre coming here, though, you probably want to make the most of the fantastic array of watersports, including dingy sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding that are a mere two-minute stroll away; or, on dry land there’s tennis, outdoor yoga, a gym, a climbing wall, road cycling, and mountain biking. All these activities are included in your holiday package price.

LEARNING THE ROPES