Athens

Few destinations in the world boast ancient archeological sites, quaint whitewashed villages, stunning beaches, epic party islands, and world-class cuisine. Greece is one of them. The Mediterranean country is made up of a mountainous mainland and 6,000 idyllic islands and islets—only 227 of which are inhabited—dotted in the crystal-clear Aegean and Ionian Seas. With natural beauty abound and endless things to do and see, the only problem with traveling to Greece is figuring out the best way to spend your time there.

A luxury vacation poses the dilemma of either being in the heart of the action or enjoying the privacy of a remote escape. A private yacht charter, however, offers the best of both worlds. Not only can you hop between major cities and beach destinations, but there's the option of retreating to the seclusion and tranquility of your private abode in the open seas. A luxury yachting vacation offers so many possibilities that it can feel overwhelming when deciding how to plan your trip. There are yachting routes and ports all over the world, each one with different seasons, entry requirements, and vessel capacities.

As part of our recent tour of luxury resorts in Greece, we had the opportunity to experience the brand-new Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel firsthand. This luxury resort in Athens reopened in spring 2019 after a full renovation and represents the pinnacle of contemporary design in the heart of an ancient country.First impressions? Well, the location couldn’t get much better. The hotel expands over a 74-acre site on the pristine coastline of the glamorous Athens Riviera which features ancient pine-tree forests, hidden coves, and secluded golden beaches.