Sailing around the bays and backwaters of the Göcek Peninsula aboard a deluxe megayacht is a castaway fantasy come true. Built in 2007, the sleek and sexy Serenity 86 is decked out with everything that opens and closes – and I mean everything.
Accommodation-wise, the four air-conditioned en-suite cabins are spacious and luxurious; the inside entertainment area has a dining section with a dinky bar and all the mod cons: a stereo system, wifi-enabled computer connectivity, a library of CDs and books, and a quirky collection of hats (in case you forgot yours); outdoors there’s loads of sun-tanning space, a shaded dining area, and equipment for every watersport imaginable - waterskis, kayaks, dinghies, rubber tubes, snorkeling gear ...
I spent the day aboard our gûlet (a wooden yacht) lounging and lazing, flopping into the dreamy water and eating Chef Mehmet’s scrumptious treats. Adam was slightly more energetic and partook in some waterskiing and snorkeling.
The indefatigable crew of four – Captain Mehmet, Chef Murat and jacks-of-all-trades Eddy and Cengis – deserves special mention. Like a perfectly tuned orchestra, each played an indispensable role in making our cruise truly unforgettable. No request was too big or too small and their commitment to round-the-clock cosseting and pampering was unwavering. I’m still reeling from Chef Murat’s ability to whip up astonishing seven-dish meals from his monk’s closet of a kitchen.
DETAIL THERAPY
The moment the anchor is reeled in and the yacht pulls away from the jetty, a sense of freedom takes hold; time becomes insignificant and you feel the stress of daily life (ringing phones, traffic jams and deadlines) melting away. That’s when you realise that true luxury is in the details; the intangible, non-material things: the splendid sense of space and seclusion, the horizon, the reflection of the sun on the water, the splashing sound of jumping fish ...
JUST THE PLANET’s team sailed on Serenity 86, but Serenity 70 is also part of the luxury fleet. She’s a slightly smaller but equally stylish vessel and is also available to our readers. Both are a combination of motorised yacht and traditional sail-driven Turkish gulet and are able to explore remote beaches accessible only via small boat.
